When the owner is not using his / her apartment, Andetur Brazilian Travel Club offers a special contract to 'rent' the apartment, giving the owner income on the property.

Recreational Facilities

More information on the Pium area: FAQ's

Note: This report was put 'online' in 1998 .... the area has been booming over the last two years .. but Pium, halfway between Ponta Negra (major tourist beach) and Cotovela (a popular beach with the Brazilian elite). Pium (or the valley) remain about the same .....

PIUM: - A river in São José do Mipibu and Nísia Floresta. The community is part of the 'município' of Natal, consists of a river and a small lake or lagoon.

PIUM RIVER

"De pi-u, o que pica ou morde derreado, agachado. É o mosquito miúdo de mordedura mui acre ( TS). Alt . Pinhum." Luís da Câmara Cascudo In Nomes da Terra, Fundação José Augusto, 1968.

When you talk about what Pium has to offer, we should mention the star filled skies, the brilliant moon when full, the sounds of nature, and many other facts related to the natural beauty of this small community. It is also necessary to mention things like economy and recreation, the local 'open market' (or farmers market) with fresh produce, the local crafts (many small markets including tapeçaria), local 'fish and pay' operations, a tradional Dance of the Widows, and the Status Clube (a teen age dance).

Feirinha - Small market, conditioned to the local, but very important to the local economy of Pium. Cachoeira - Located nearby is the Terminal Turístico Vale do Pium, and is very popular beach area.

Pesque & pague - Igarapé and Praias Belas. Public fishing areas.

Tapeçaria - Located on the Route of the Sun (local coastal highway - Rota do Sol), in the center of Pium, with a well known carpet store (loja de tapetes), many necessary products used by the locals and ecological attractions for tourists. The carpets are made by Lula Lafuto. Many products (lace) from cotten, with creative designs for decoration in your house or bedroom.

Artesanato - Many of the artisanal craft stores or 'open craft markets' are presently closed, because of the lack of help or incentives on the part of the city government in Natal, , most located in the Feirinha de Artesanato, on the Rota do Sol, the main road to Cotovelo, which offers first class regional 'artisanal' products. Hammocks, 'mantas', 'artigos' for decoration, table clothes, finally, they have many beautiful things to buy.

Relíquia Arquitetônica Francesa no Litoral Potiguar - On the right side of the highway, a short distance from the Barra do Pirangi, on a farm called "Coqueiros", property of Dr. Silvino Lamartine de Faria, you will find ruins of a mysterious construction. This is close to the Praia de Cotovelo, near the main road that goes to the Praia de Pirangi do Norte.

To live in the Vale do Pium is wonderful. And it is not correct, in any form, how the community has been neglected. Certain problems exist, which are easy to resolve, but, as yet, no municipal government has taken charge. For the community the concerns are: transportation, health, education, energy, and garbage collection.

Transportation - For years the local bus company, Empresa Campos, has operated the local service and has not improved their service. Irreglar hours, late buses, and at times - no service. The community is now served by private vans or collective transport as an alternative, which pass in the hours marked for the buses, but the cost is a bit higher. And for those that live in the Colônia (rural)? URGENTE: Required a 'ônibus circular' ( free ) from the Colônia for the main highway. A central bus terminal has been suggested.

Lixo - (Garbage) Almost every day the garbage collectors pass in the Centro de Pium. Why not the Colônia? On June 26, 1977 an article published in the local paper -- Tribuna do Norte -- related the beauties of the Vale but also spoke of trash accumulated in the Colônia. Garbage collection ... the community needs this service. Note (DR): It is my understanding that the municipal government in Natal is working on this now.

Education - The Escola in Pium only goes to the 8th grade. Whomever wishes a better education must attend school in Natal or Pirangi. The State and municiple governments must understand the difficulties of these students? A high school is necessary in the Vale. Telefones (Central) - The posto of Telern is simply closed. Why? No pay for the operators? What does it cost to pay these people? The community needs the service. This is without saying that most have left for other jobs. Nore (DR): Since 1998, the telephone companies have been 'privatized' .... and individial lines are now available ... our community will have private lines for every chalet.

Pontes (Bridges - rural)- Before there is a serious accident, the authorities need to attend the problems of the rural bridges, which urgently need to be duplicate(two way) and reconstructed. The traffic is increasing and the bridges have remained the same, weak, and poorly constructed. Note (DR): These are being reconstructed.

Energy - The number of new construction in the Vale requires that the capacity of the energy be increased. Investment in energy is the only solution. Many electrical appliances have been burnt out because of the irregular electrical service. And who pays for this? Note (DR): The service in the VALE is being improved. The comunity will have a standby generator .... but the need is fast disappearing.

For as the Vale do Pium becomes more interesting, it costs nothing to think of long term investments in the future. Escola Agrícola (Agricultural School), Post Office, a Drug Store that also offers 'herbal remedies' used by the people, sports park, and a community residents organization - Sociedade dos amigos do Pium. With this, to live in the Vale would be a 'sea of roses!'

Escola Agrícola (Agricultual School) - Realizing that Pium has very fertile land, it is necessary for a 'trade school' ... nothing would be better than an Agricultural school and with the Mercado Público (public market) to sell the production, offering fresh products, and reasonable prices for the local population. You think this is impossible?

Correios (Post Office) - It is not understood why there is no post office. The locals have to go to Natal to collect simple letters! With out speaking of other services, also necessary, a post office would offer: telephone cards (used in public phones), deliveries of products by mail, post cards and holiday cards, etc., etc.

Herbário (Herbal drug store) - Farmácia "viva", a drug store for herbal medicine. Whoever is sick can go there and make heir own medicine from plants. Completely supervised by a specialist in 'medicine plants'. And people would receive instructions about planting and raising their own medicine at home. Very interesting, don't you think? Note(DR): Herbal medicine is very popular in Brazil.

SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS

Some of these chale apartments may be available for rental by the owners, represented by the Andetur Brazilian Travel Club. We also have other properties along the coast. The same conditions apply to pousadas and hotels that the club represents.

Reservations, Bookings, Deposits, Final Payments:

Make your reservations or bookings as far in advance as possible to insure the best choice of dates, villas, or condominiums.

A deposit of 50% of the grand total is required in U.S. funds with your request. Your request and the deposit funds are due in our office within 5 working days of your telephone request to confirm your reservation/booking. We reserve the right to treat any booking as canceled by you if funds due are not paid on time.

Upon the receipt of your reservation request and funds, a rental agreement and written confirmation will be sent to you for your completion and return.

For reservations made within 60 days of your departure date full payment is required upon making your reservation request.

For reservations made within 15 days of your departure date, full payment is required in secured funds (bank cashiers check, U.S. Postal Money Order, or other secured instruments), and must be received in our office within two (2) working days of your booking date.

A service charge for special document handling, or express delivery service may be charged.

All checks and requests and express deliveries should be sent to:

Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, 2211 Clermont St., Denver, CO 80207.

Substance Abuse: Anyone discovered using or selling drugs and/or drug paraphernalia will be grounds for automatic dismissal of all parties from the premises (No Exceptions).

Visas are required of all United States and Canadian Citizens. Presentation of your proof of citizenship is necessary. Non-U.S. Citizens should check with each country's CONSULATE for entry requirements. All passengers must carry proof of citizenship as a passport or original birth certificate and an acceptable photo ID

MINORS: Any person under 18 years of age. If traveling alone (not accompanied by parents, legal guardian(s), OR with only ONE parent/legal guardian(s) MUST HAVE NOTARIZED LETTER OF PERMISSION signed by both parents/legal guardian(s). If signature is not obtainable by reason of: 1) single parent; 2) one parent deceased; 3) parents divorced or legally separated; 4) parent waiting for child in any foreign country; a notarized letter stating same must also be in the possession of the minor. Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 must also carry a letter stating the name, address and phone number of the person(s) meeting them upon arrival .

Cancellations and Refunds: All holiday reservations/bookings/deposits are non refundable. This includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Easter Week.

Payments, either deposits or full payments are refundable when applicable as follows: 365 to 180 days prior to departure 100% of amount paid less cancellation fees; 180 to 120 days prior to departure 50% of amount paid less cancellation fees; less than 120 days prior to departure total amount paid is non-refundable. All cancellations are subject to a 15% cancellation fee when applicable. Any cancellation requests or refund requests must be submitted in writing to: Cancellation/Refund Department, Andetur USA LLC, 2211 Clermont St., Denver, CO 80207. No refunds for unused services. All refund requests must be made in writing no later than 21 days upon return. There is a minimum of 45 days for processing any refund request when applicable once documentation has been received.

Restrictions: No pets allowed in rental property without prior permission in writing from owner of property. The number of guests stipulated on the house pass is the maximum number allowed to stay at property.

Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, recommends clients purchase baggage, medical, theft, cancellation and accident insurance before departing home. Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, and/or its associated companies agents, representatives act only as agents for the owners and operators of transportation, accommodations, services, and facilities, and our responsibility is limited to that of an agent and, therefore, we are not to be held responsible for any losses, damages (including subsequent damages) or additional expenses caused by delay or other changes in transportation or by sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantine, or other causes . Passengers missing a flight must transport themselves to their destination at their own expense. Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC is not responsible in or out of rental property due to theft, bodily harm, illness or death to any passenger or customer. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board their aircraft or conveyance. Fares and schedules are subject to change without notice. Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, represents: The scenes and views depicted are current as of the printing of this brochure and are subject to change there after. Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, represents and holds forth what is represented in their brochure, no more, no less. Customers realize these are tropical destinations in Brazil. The properties are of Brazilian style villas with stairs between each level, open to natural air breezes and are located in our Brazilian resort destinations, itself a very tropical location. Customers understand that we are not owners of these properties and do not warrant their condition or service. We periodically inspect them, but the owner is responsible for their care and upkeep. Unless directly stated properties are naturally cooled, have no elevators, TV, room service, cooks, cars, boats, telephones, or other services not stated directly in our brochure. Nonresponsibility: Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, is acting as intermediary or agent for independent suppliers in selling services or in accepting reservation or booking for services which are not directly supplied by this tour operator. This tour operator shall not be responsible for misrepresentations, breach of contract or any intentional, careless, or negligent actions or omissions on the part of' suppliers, which result in injury, accident, death, damages, losses, costs, expenses, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, unfulfilled expectations, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration whether physical or mental, as a result of, or in connection with; 1)any delays, or changes in schedules or itineraries; 2)the act or omissions of any party, other than Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, or its employees; 3)monetary crises, political or social unrest, labor problems, economic changes, electrical outages due to weather, mechanical maintenance or construction difficulties, climatic in or out of the home aberration, local laws, diseases, novel or unexpected conditions; 4)absence of travel documents, passports, visas and health certificates where required, in which case customer's failure to follow instructions including but not limited to check-in and checkout times and baggage handling; 5)cancellation or change for any reason in the travel services offered; 6)customer's medical or health problems or physical disabilities, 7)acts of God i.e., earthquakes, hurricanes, mudslides; 8)injuries. Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, is not responsible for providing special facilities or services to those with medical or health problems or physical disabilities. Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, reserves the right to cancel or alter the travel services at its discretion. In the event of changes or complete cancellation, Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, liability will be limited to refund all monies paid. No agent or employee or representative of Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC, (or any person whose services are used by Andetur Brazilian Travel Club, Andetur USA LLC,) has the authority to alter, modify or waive any of the provisions herein. All contracts are executed and signed in Denver, Colorado for the owners in Natal, RN Brazil, and are considered Brazilian contracts and are subject to rules and laws of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.