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Worthwhile regional
visiting points ( just some suggestions) :
Touristic
Information :
There’s a info office in Joao Pessoa’s section of Tambau, in
front of the jumbo hotel of the same name at the sea-front; they
provide city maps of Joao Pessoa, detailed info on Paraiba and
they even speak English…..
WITH OUR THANKS TO
THE GOVERNMENT OF PARAIBA AND PBTUR FOR THE BULK OF ABOVE INFO.
Their WEB :
WWW.PBTUR.PB.GOV.BR
Forte Velho :
Located in the N river arm behind Restinga Isle. Can be
reached by bus-ferry out of Cabedelo’s fishing port, by dinghy
or multihull with a draft less than 3 ½ ft, going close inshore
along the W-side of the island (beware of numerous sandbanks, so
better to go with the incoming tide) or better, to go around the
island via Cabedelo.
It’s a sympathetic outing along the mangrove shores; Forte Velho
is a small village opposite the W-shore of Restinga Island and
and caters with small bar-restaurants and a mooring pontoon.
From there, one can go by car to the church of the ancient
monastery of Our Lady of Guia, rich in history.
Joao Pessoa,
Capital of Paraiba state, apart from being clean and well
laid-out, has various points of interest with its historical
center close to the rail-way station, its cathedral and other
neo-baroque and colonial churches and buildings.
To mention also, its cultural center, artisan center and its
beaches with the now famous Kite Surf Stretch ast Miramar beach
in Cabedelo.
Lucena :
Good for a nice day-outing going from Jacare to Lucena,
opposite Cabedelo on the N-side of the estuary; one can take the
train, then the ferry or the pittoresque bus-boat to Costinha
landing. Overthere, the ancient whale-hunting installations have
been transformed into a museaum.
Cabo Branco :
The city’s wide southern beach ending with Cabo Branco
lighttower , below which is the most oriental part of the
Americas.
The southern coast :
The beaches south of Joao Pessoa are all beautiful ;
Capaibus in Jacuma, Coquerinho and Tambaba, the only all-nude
beach in the NE of Brazil.
Access to the latter is limited to couples or families- single
males are not allowed. There are several small pousadas or
motels in the neighbourhood and a small bar-restaurant with 6
bungalows in the nude-zone. There’s security around.
Note : : In Brazil, both
names pousada and motel do exist ; however pousada means motel
in our terms whereas motel here means cathouse hotel. (and
plenty are around!)
This just to avoid possible confusion.
INLAND :
Areia :
With a bus trip of 2 ½ hrs ,the small town of Areia, 2000 ft
high, gives you a good idea of the inland topography of the
country while going through very dry areas littered with cactus,
followed by green valleys, sugar cane plantations ….
Apart from its Agricultural Faculty, Areia is surrounded by
cachaça distilleries (cachaça = local rye) and has 2 musea : one
shows the sugar cane history; the second is a colonial building
showing the 17th century life-style on a farm.
There are several local pousadas and a hotel, the whole lot not
very well structured. So it’s better to make arrangements with a
taxi guiding you around for the day.
Note : Inland can be extremely hot whereas the coastal regions
can be a lot cooler- So make sure to have a windbreaker with you,
especially if staying somewhere over-night.
Campina Grande :
It’s the nr. 2 city in Paraiba situated at 1700 ft and 80
miles (129 km) from the coast.
During the month of June, Campina Grande becomes the capital of
the “Forro”, the traditional dance and music of the NE., with
its famous “Sao Joao” (St John) festival, the biggest “Sao Joao”in
the world. During the better part of June, there’s only Forro
dancing and music, quadrille street dancing, traditional dishes
and corn -based pastries and fire-works during St John’s night (June
23rd)
The St John festivities represent the real tradition of the NE
Brazilian inland townships which turn into a rural carvival.
Noteworthy the particular mood in the streets of Banareiras (140
km from Joao Pessoa), Santa Luzia (260 km), Patos (300 km) and
Cabaceiras, which on top has the “Bode Rei”festival ( the Kingly
He-goat), which adds a particular touch, artistically and
culinary, to the Sertao region .
Archeological sites :
The inland reveals plenty of sites with cave etchings,
remnants of pre-Columbian indian vestiges, giant rock formations
and waterfalls, which, apart from the possibility of
rock-climbing present a curious challenge.
To be noted :
The park of Pedra da Boca, on the slopes of the Rio
Calabouçco bordering the states of Paraiba and Rio Grande do
Norte.
Inga, is the site with the most important archeological
brazilian monument (90 km from Joao Pessoa)
Itacoatiara, a granite block of 20m length and 3 m height,
covered with geometric etchings, which have baffled scientists
all over the world as , so far, nobody has been able to decipher
the lot.
Pirpirituba, the most beautiful waterfalls in Paraiba,
with in particular the “Cachoeira do Roncador”,
(which is also being practiced in descending on lines).
Sousa, in the middle of the arid Sertao region at 450 km
from Joao Pessoa. This town is known for its “Dinosaur Valley”,
considered as one of the largest world paleonthological sites.
Is visited across a gangway lay-out to view sections of
pre-historic animal skeletons dating more than 130 million
years.
Vieiropolis, at 20 km from Sousa, offers, besides its
archeological interest, a set of adventure sports.
Caruaru,
Located at 2 hrs W. of Recife, is famous for its permanent
artisanal fair of leather, wood, ceramics and clothes.
Easily accessible by bus, one finds a host of pousadas and
hotels (among others the Central Hotel and Caruaru Hotel) with
pricing of R$ 55, inclusive breakfast) at the date of print.
Jacare sunset ...
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