From the airport to the João Pessoa seafront

Where it actually is

João Pessoa's airport is called Presidente Castro Pinto and it is not in João Pessoa: it is in Bayeux, the neighbouring municipality, about 25 kilometres from the beach districts.

In practice that means 30 to 40 minutes by car to Tambaú, Manaíra or Cabo Branco, depending on the time of day. It is not an airport inside the city, and it is not far either — a short run on a fast road, with no tricky stretch.

It is a small airport. Arrivals move fast, there is a single baggage belt, and the whole concourse is crossed in two minutes. Those arriving from a large airport tend to be surprised by the simplicity — pleasantly.

Aplicativo de corrida

É o que a maioria usa, e funciona bem. Uber e 99 operam normalmente em João Pessoa, e há ponto de embarque sinalizado na saída do desembarque.

• O trajeto até a orla leva de 30 a 40 minutos.
• The price varies with the hour and demand — late night and the arrival of a full flight usually cost more.
• Vale confirmar a placa e o nome do motorista antes de entrar, como em qualquer cidade.
• Se o voo atrasar, peça o carro só depois de pegar a bagagem. Motorista esperando com a corrida iniciada é dinheiro jogado fora.

One detail that catches late arrivals: on overnight flights there are fewer cars around, and the wait can exceed fifteen minutes. It is not the app's fault, it is the size of the city.

Táxi

There is a taxi rank at the exit, with fares regulated by route. To the seafront, the price is usually above the app at normal hours and below it at peak or surge pricing.

Ask the price before getting in. At the rank the driver states the fare for the route — and that is the moment to compare with the app, not afterwards.

Transfer combinado

It makes sense in three situations: a large group, an overnight arrival, and travelling with a small child and a lot of luggage. The car is waiting, the price is agreed beforehand and there is no wait.

It costs more than the app under normal conditions. Anyone travelling alone, with one bag and arriving by day, hardly needs it.

MAREVI guests who tell us their flight number and time get a trusted driver's details and arrival instructions. We do not charge for it and earn no commission — it is simply so you do not land at an unfamiliar airport at three in the morning with nowhere to go.

Ônibus e carro alugado

There is a bus route linking the airport to the city, but it runs infrequently and takes a long way round. With luggage and after a flight it rarely pays off — it is an option for those travelling light and in no hurry.

Renting a car at the airport is worth it if your plan includes the south coast, the north coast or Campina Grande. For anyone staying on the seafront it is not: the beach districts work on foot, and the car becomes a parking problem. We go into this in Getting around João Pessoa without a car.

Chegando ao apartamento

Three things that prevent trouble on arrival, valid for any stay in a seafront building:

• Tell us your expected arrival time in advance. A residential building is not a hotel: someone has to grant access and hand over the key.
• Bring photo ID for every guest. It is a building requirement, not a whim of the manager.
• Confirm the exact address and apartment number before getting in the car. Building names repeat along the seafront, and more than one driver has stopped at the wrong façade.

Arrived before check-in time? Some buildings have luggage storage at reception. Ask beforehand — you can leave the bag and head straight to the beach instead of sitting in the lobby.