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Where it is
Cabedelo is the town right next to João Pessoa, to the north: a peninsula between the sea and the Paraíba river estuary. Its seafront starts just past Bessa, and the centre is about 18 km from Tambaú, some 20 minutes by car.
That is why it works as an extension of the João Pessoa seafront: you can go to the beach in Cabedelo in the morning and have dinner in Manaíra at night. It is also home to two of the region's best-known outings — Areia Vermelha and the Jacaré sunset.
The beaches
- Intermares: strong waves and blue water, a surfing and kitesurfing spot.
- Praia do Poço: warm, Caribbean-coloured water, simple and quiet.
- Ponta de Campina: calm, warm sea, with plenty to do.
- Camboinha: at low tide it has no waves, good for children and older people; boats to Areia Vermelha leave from here.
- Areia Dourada: pale sand, warm water with no waves, and small bars.
- Jacaré: a river beach on the Paraíba estuary, famous for its sunset with Ravel's Boléro.
History: the fortress and the Almagre ruins
At the tip of the peninsula stands the Fortaleza de Santa Catarina, which guarded the mouth of the Paraíba river from the late 16th century and is one of the best-preserved forts in the Northeast.
Less well known, the ruins of the Church of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré do Almagre stand by the sea between Praia do Poço and Ponta de Campina, among the holiday homes. The church probably dates from the early 17th century, passed through Jesuit, Franciscan and Benedictine hands, and the ruins have been listed since 1938. Almagre is the name of the reddish reefs along the coast.
The centre: port, breakwater and kilometre zero of the Trans-Amazonian
Cabedelo's centre revolves around the port, Paraíba's main one, with views over the river and the sea. From the breakwater alongside you can see the Paraíba river meeting the ocean.
Cabedelo is also home to kilometre zero of the BR-230, the Trans-Amazonian Highway: the road that crosses the country to the Amazon starts right there, by the sea. Worth a photo.
From the centre the ferry leaves for Lucena, across the river, along with the passenger boat to Costinha.
- Getting to Lucena: ferry, road and the bridge
- Lucena and the bridge that will shorten the northern coast
Making the most of it
A day that works: Areia Vermelha in the morning at low tide, leaving from Camboinha; lunch on the Cabedelo seafront; the fortress and ruins in the afternoon; and the Jacaré sunset to finish.
MAREVI manages serviced flats and apartments in Bessa, Jardim Oceania, Manaíra, Tambaú and Cabo Branco — a few minutes from Cabedelo — with a full kitchen and our own team. Book directly on WhatsApp and you skip the platforms' fee.
