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Land of the Potiguara
Baía da Traição is unlike any other destination on the Paraíba coast: the municipality lies within Potiguara territory, one of the largest Indigenous peoples in the Northeast. The villages — Forte, Cumaru, Laranjeira, Lagoa do Mato, São Francisco, São Miguel and many others — are part of the landscape and of everyday life in town.
The Toré ritual, crafts, body painting and Indigenous cooking are everywhere. It is a beach trip that is also an encounter with one of the oldest cultures in Brazil.
What to see
- Baía da Traição Lighthouse — a white concrete structure, the second lighthouse built in Paraíba.
- The Fort's Cannons — iron pieces from the old Portuguese fort on Alto do Tambá, from around 1625, now on Praia do Forte.
- Ruins of the Church of São Miguel — a 17th- and 18th-century church, listed as state heritage.
- Rio do Gozo and Rio do Sossego — calm, clear water surrounded by riverside forest, perfect for a swim.
- Lagoa Encantada — crystal-clear water and preserved vegetation, surrounded by legends.
- Studios of Potiguara artists, with paintings, crafts and decorative pieces.
How to get there from João Pessoa
By car, take the BR-101 north and then the state roads towards the coast. It is about 90 km, around an hour and a half. There are also buggy tours and excursions leaving from the capital.
To get around between beaches, rivers and villages, a car or a buggy is most practical — distances are short, but public transport is scarce.
Tips for the trip
Hire local guides and buggy drivers: besides knowing the way, they act as a bridge to the villages. Bring cash, insect repellent and sunscreen, and check the tide table if you want to walk along the beach.
Combine it with the rest of the north coast: Lucena and Cabedelo are on the way back to João Pessoa.
