Pitimbu, the south coast without the crowds

Where it is

Pitimbu is on Paraíba's south coast, its town centre around 70 kilometres from João Pessoa — though Praia Bela, already inside the municipality, is about 45 — past Conde and close to the Pernambuco border. It is the quietest end of the Paraíba coast, and those who make it there are usually after exactly that.

As praias

There are several, and they are quite different from one another:

• Acaú — the best known, with calm sea and sandbanks that form shallow pools at low tide
• Praia Bela — home to the Mucatu estuary, the municipality's most complete set of facilities
• Ponta do Coqueiro, Guarita e Azul — trechos mais reservados, de pouca gente
• Praia de Pitimbu — the central beach, next to the town, with a fishing tradition

O que fazer

The Mucatu estuary, at Praia Bela, is the best-equipped spot: restaurants, toilets and quad-bike, kayak and zip-line rides over the river.

Catamaran trips also run out to the region's natural pools. And fishing here is a local activity, not just a tourist one — which says a lot about the pace of the place.

Vale a pena incluir no roteiro?

Worth it if you have at least a full day. The 70-kilometre distance makes Pitimbu an easy day trip from João Pessoa, and it usually works better combined with the Conde beaches along the same route.