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Where it is, and how far
Praia da Pipa is a district of Tibau do Sul, on the southern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, about 150 kilometres from João Pessoa's seafront — a little over two hours by car on the BR-101, not counting stops.
It is closer to João Pessoa than many people think: the same distance as Areia or Bananeiras. That is why many use the Paraíba capital as a base and do Pipa in a day.
What to do in Pipa
- Chapadão — the lookout atop the cliffs, with the village's most famous view.
- Praia do Amor — the cove whose shoreline draws a heart from above; it has waves and is a surf spot.
- Baía dos Golfinhos — where dolphins are easy to spot, and sometimes to swim near. Access along the beach depends on low tide.
- The main street — the village avenue gathers shops, restaurants and bars, and it is where the night happens.
- Buggy, open-truck and boat trips — to the beaches and lagoons of Tibau do Sul around the village.
When to go
It is hot all year. Rain is concentrated between March and July, peaking from April to June.
New Year's Eve, Carnival and public holidays fill the village, with a young crowd and parties until late — and parking becomes almost impossible. If you want peace, avoid those dates.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip works: leaving João Pessoa early, you can see the Chapadão, the Baía dos Golfinhos at low tide and have dinner in the village before heading back. That is about four and a half hours of driving in total.
On a longer trip, one night in Pipa is worth it — the village changes at night. But for anyone who wants Paraíba's calm beaches most of the time, the combination that works best is: base in João Pessoa, Pipa in a day.
On the way: Baía Formosa and Sagi
At 122 kilometres from João Pessoa, already in Rio Grande do Norte, Baía Formosa is the first town past the border — known for its surf and for the Mata Estrela, a large Atlantic forest reserve with lagoons.
The district of Sagi, a fishing and indigenous village, is the last beach in Rio Grande do Norte, right on the Paraíba border — a few kilometres from Barra de Camaratuba. You can combine the two on the same day along Paraíba's northern coast.
Baía Formosa is off the direct route to Pipa. It is worth a detour if you have time, or a day of its own together with Sagi and Camaratuba.
