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Which is better: Campos do Jordão or Natal?

Short answer

Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Natal is on the Rio Grande do Norte Coast (RN): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; Natal: the City of the Sun trades the clock for the rhythm of the tides, with dunes that run down to the sea and sunshine on almost every day of the year. For this month's weather, Natal has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Campos do JordãoCampos do Jordão Sightseeing Tour★ 9.1 · 72 reviews · from US$ 20 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in NatalPipa Beach Day Trip★ 8.9 · 14 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Campos do Jordão Natal
Best time to visit Jun → Sep Sep → Dec
Weather this month 21° · 12 days of rain 30° · 5 days of rain
By car R$ 94 + tolls · from São Paulo R$ 104 · from João Pessoa
Ideal stay 3–4 days 4–5 days
Best for Romantic, Food, Family, Relax Family, Adventure, Relax
Choose Campos do Jordão if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: the "Brazilian Switzerland" of cold weather, pine nuts and the Winter Festival.

See guide
Choose Natal if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: the City of the Sun trades the clock for the rhythm of the tides, with dunes that run down to the sea and sunshine on almost every day of the year.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Campos do Jordão or Natal

The average nightly rate is around R$ 197 in Campos do Jordão and R$ 571 in Natal; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Campos do Jordão on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.5 ★★★ · 85 reviews Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking → Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.6 ★★★★ · 35 reviews Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking →
See all hotels in Campos do Jordão

Compare hotels and places to stay in Natal on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Majestic Ponta Negra Beach, WorldHotels Elite in Natal 9.3 · 18 reviews Majestic Ponta Negra Beach, WorldHotels Elite See on Booking → Manary Praia Hotel in Natal 9.3 ★★★★ · 13 reviews Manary Praia Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Natal

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Campos do Jordão or Natal: which is better?
Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Natal is on the Rio Grande do Norte Coast (RN): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; Natal: the City of the Sun trades the clock for the rhythm of the tides, with dunes that run down to the sea and sunshine on almost every day of the year. For this month's weather, Natal has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Campos do Jordão and Natal?
The best time to visit Campos do Jordão is from June to September; for Natal, it is from September to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Campos do Jordão is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 94 each way (fuel only, tolls not included); leaving from João Pessoa, Natal is 185 km (115 mi) and costs about R$ 104 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Campos do Jordão or Natal?
Averaged over the year, Campos do Jordão has 11 rainy days a month and Natal has 11. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Campos do Jordão is January and in Natal, June. For temperature, Natal is the warmer one (average high of 30° versus 21°).
How many days should you spend in Campos do Jordão and in Natal?
To see the main sights without rushing, Campos do Jordão calls for 3–4 days and Natal, 4–5 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Campos do Jordão or Natal with kids?
Both work with kids: Campos do Jordão (Brazil's highest town, mountain cold, and Winter Festival) and Natal (sun all year; dunes and buggies; city beaches). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
What should you not miss in each?
In Campos do Jordão: Campos do Jordão State Park (Horto Florestal), Morro do Elefante, Pico do Itapeva. In Natal: Ponta Negra Beach and Morro do Careca, Genipabu Dunes, Forte dos Reis Magos. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.