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Sunset at Tambaú Beach

João Pessoa[1], the capital of Paraíba, is a city on the northeast coast of Brazil.

[edit] Understand

Joao Pessoa is, for its sheer size, an undiscovered paradise: There are few foreigners and lots to do.

[edit] History

João Pessoa is one of the oldest cities in Brazil, dating back to 1585. From 1634 to 1654 it was controlled by the Dutch.

[edit] Orientation

The city center grids out on a hill between a lake (lagoa) and the river. Some 7 kilometers to the east, along Presidente Epitácio Pessoa, are the beaches of Tambaú (to the left as you hit the beach) and Cabo Branco (to the right), where most of the tourist infrastructure is found. The landmark and point of reference here is the Tropical Hotel Tambaú and the feirinha (handicraft market) in front of it. Further north are the less attractive Manaíra, and then the pleasant but rather deserted Bessa. The beachfront avenue receives several names: Avenida Cabo Branco, Avenida Almirante Tamandaré and Avenida João Mauricio.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Airport some 25 km out of town. Taxi to the city R$ 40, negiotiated. You might find the much bigger airport of Recife more convenient, especially for international flights. Taxi R$ 160, negotiated.

[edit] By bus

João Pessoa's long-distance bus station is in spot in the center. To get to the beach of Tambaú, cross the road and enter the urban bus terminal to catch number 507, 510, 511 or 513 "Tambaú" or "CABO BRANCO" R$ 1,80. Taxi abot R$ 20.

• To Recife every hour by Bomfim, 2 hours, R$ 20-25.
• To Campina Grande by Real Bus at least once an hour from 5 AM to 8 PM, R$ 17.

[edit][add listing] See

The centre of João Pessoa is worth a days stroll for its historical building, a growing number of which are being restored. There are numerous signs indicating the tourist trail:

• One of nicest churches in all of Brazil, the Igreja do São Francisco, built from 1589 to 1779, is on the north end of the city center. Its mixture of architectural styles is a fascinating reflection of the colonial empires at the time: the walls of the exterior courtyard, done in Portuguese azulejo tiling, are topped by curiously oriental looking lion statues, while the church itself is a mixture of Portuguese, Dutch, and French styles and the dome shows influence from Goa. The ceiling features a 40 meter wide mural, and the interior is inhabited by lots of bats.
• The Ladeira de São Francisco leads westward and downhill from the church, and affords a magnificent view of the Sanhaua River and surrounding lush tropical forest. Just down the hill is the Casa da Polvora, a small historical museum.
• Further down is Praça Antenor Navarro, currently the best restored cluster of colonial architecture, with the old Hotel Globo around the corner.
• Uphill from the railway station is the old main square with its massive former post office, the Teatro Santa Rosa and the Policia Militar headquarters.
• Pretty much on top of the city is Praça João Pessoa, with its government buildings.
• Tribunal de Justiça
• Ponto de Cem réis
• Estação Ciência
• Jardim Botânico (Botanic Gardem)

• Ponta do Seixas is the easternmost point in the Americas, at 34°47'38" west longitude and 7°09'28" south latitude. There is a monument to mark the spot, and it has a sweeping view of the Atlantic. Ponta do Seixas is south of Cabo Branco beach, and accessible by city bus.
• Taxi.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• João Pessoa is blessed with one of the most attractive urban beaches of Brazil: Tambaú and its continuation Cabo Branco to the south. Large stretches are virtually deserted, and you can walk all the way to Ponta das Seixas.

• From the north end of the Cabo Branco beach, there are a number of boats that will take you out to Picãozinho (a reef with good snorkelling) or Areia Vermelha (a sandy patch offshore) for about R$ 25. Both destinations depend on low tide, so hours vary greatly. Drinks and snacks are sold on the boats.

[edit][add listing] Buy

In Tambaú there are several handicraft spots, notably the feirinha and some stall up Rua Sen Rui Carneiro.

[edit][add listing] Eat

For a quick bite, there are several hamburger stands around the lagoon.

• Natural, Rua Rodrigues de Aquino 177. Good health food and a nice setting as well.
• Pontal do Cabo Bar & RestaurantThe visual best of the seafront of the Cabo Branco, live music and screen with nacional and international clips. Try the Delicious Shrimp. Cabo Branco Street, 4912. Tel: (55) (83) 3247-4336.
• Bahamas Restaurant on the beach in Tambaú.
• Mundial Lanches, in front of Hotel Tropical, Tambaú. Hot dogs and other quickies.
• Vale do Sabugi, Rua Carlos Alverga, Tambaú (Enter from the beach front near Portugal Flat). Lunch. Buffet with grilled meats R$ 6.  edit
• Mangai, Avenida General Edson Ramalho 696, Manaíra. All day. Large buffet of reional foods. R$ 30 per kilo.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

The densest concentration of nightlife is just behind the feirinha in Tambaú:

• Empório. Intimate and lively. Both gay and straight.  edit

• Jacarés Bar, is one of several shacks on the riverfront where weekend sunsets are accompanied with Ravel's Bolero live on a saxophone.
• Parque Solón de Lucena is the official name of the greenery surrounding the Lagoa. Many shacks serve drinks and snacks at rock-bottom prices. Quite a party on Sundays.

Daytime drinking is in any of the string of shacks along the beach promenade of Tambaú and Cabo Branco. A couple of these have their specialties:

• GiraMundo, Av Almirante Tamandaré (In front of Lion creperie). Evenings. German style sausages with real mustards are the specialty. Swiss owner. Large beer R$ 4, sausage platter R$ 13.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The 5 kilometre beachfront of Cabo Branco and Tambaú is dotted with hotels of all kinds, although rock-bottom budget options are few. Off peak discount can reach 40%. Bargain hard.

[edit] Budget

• Mar Azul Hotel Pousada, Av. João Mauricio 315, Manaira (Just past Hotel VerdeGreen, 300 m from Tropical Tambaú), ☎ +55 83 3226 2660. Beachfront on a less attractive part of the beach. Small apartments with cooking facilities, tv and fan. No breakfast. Single/Double R$ 50, triple R$ 60.  edit
• Pousada Canta Marè, Rua Osòrio Pães 60 (2 blocks inland from Tropical Tambaú), ☎ +55 83 3247 1047. Single R$ 40.  edit
• Pousada Alternativa, Rua Antonio Lira 591, Tambaú (One block from the beach), ☎ +55 83 9922 8303 (Elia_564@hotmail.com). No breakfast, shared bathroom. Kitchen facilities. Also has larger rooms Double R$ 40.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Aurora, Praça João Pessoa, 51 – Centro. Good location.
• Guarany Hotel Rua Almeida Barreto 181, Centro, +55 83 21068787 (reservas@hotelguarani.com.br, fax: +55 83 21068787), Check in: 12:00; Check out: 12:00. R$ 72.
• J. R. Hotel Rua Rodrigues Chaves 87 Trincheiras, centre, +55 83 21068700 (reservas@hoteljr.com.br, fax: +55 83 21068700), Check in: 12:00; Check out: 12:00. R$ 83.

[edit] Splurge

• Tropical Hotel Tambau, [2]. Single R$ 200.  edit

Hardman Praia Hotel

Ouro Branco Hotel

IBIS

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Cope

• Lavamatic, Rua Carlos Alverga 37, Tambaú (Right off Rua Sen. Rui Carneiro, one block from the beach), ☎ +55 83 3247 3737. Mon-Sat 8 AM - 6 PM. Same day service if you come in the morning. Wash and dry 4 kg R$ 25.  edit
• Internet at the Centro Turístico Tambau, R$ 3/hour. At the ice cream bar Pigelatti, R$ 5/hour. Next to Pousada Gameleira, R$ 2/hour.

[edit] Get out

• Tambaba is famed as the first regulated nudism beach in northeastern Brazil. 40 km to the south on Highway PB-008.

END ← Natal ←

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→ Olinda → Recife