Where can you watch the sunset in João Pessoa?

At Praia do Jacaré in Cabedelo, with Ravel's Boléro, and in the historic centre, over the Sanhauá river, from the old Hotel Globo terrace. On the seafront the sun rises over the sea but sets behind the city.

What time does the sun rise in João Pessoa?

Generally between 5 and 5.30 am, depending on the season. The most popular spot is Ponta do Seixas, the easternmost point of the Americas.

Sunset and sunrise in João Pessoa: where to watch

The sun rises over the sea and sets over the river

João Pessoa sits at the easternmost point of the Americas, with its seafront facing east. That is why the sun rises over the sea in front of the beach and sets on the other side, over the Paraíba and Sanhauá rivers. To see both on the same day you have to cross the city — which is easy, because it is small.

Sunrise: generally between 5 and 5.30 am, depending on the time of year.
Sunset: generally between 5 and 5.40 pm.

Sunrise: Ponta do Seixas and the seafront

The most popular spot is Ponta do Seixas, the easternmost point of the Americas, with the Cabo Branco lighthouse on the cliff top. Arrive before 5 am, bring a light jacket — the wind is constant up there — and then go down for a walk on Avenida Cabo Branco, which is closed to cars every day until 8 am.

Do not want to leave your neighbourhood? Anywhere on the seafront, from Cabo Branco to Bessa, has the sun rising over the sea, right in front of you.

Sunset: Praia do Jacaré

It is the most famous sunset in Paraíba. On the banks of the Paraíba river, in Cabedelo, the sun goes down over the water while Ravel's Boléro is played on saxophone from a boat — a tradition started by saxophonist Jurandy do Sax. Arrive an hour early, because the riverside restaurants fill up. For the most beautiful version, watch from the river, on a boat or catamaran.

A catamaran on the Paraíba river during the Praia do Jacaré sunset, with lit-up clouds — Photo: Marinelson Almeida · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Silhouettes of a tree and people on the riverbank at the Jacaré sunset — Photo: Cristiane Tavares · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Sunset at Praia do Jacaré

Sunset in the historic centre

In Varadouro, the lower part of the old centre, the sun sets over the Sanhauá river and the mangroves. The terrace of the old Hotel Globo is the classic viewpoint — check the hours, as the building operates as a cultural space. It is a calmer sunset than Jacaré's, and goes well with an afternoon in the historic centre.

Late afternoon over the Sanhauá river seen from João Pessoa's historic centre, with rooftops and an old mansion in the foreground — Photo: Zelma Brito · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Other spots

Barra de Gramame, at the southern end of the capital, where the river meets the sea.
The ferry crossing between Cabedelo and Lucena in the late afternoon, with the sun over the river.
On the south coast, the Tambaba lookout at the end of the day, with golden light on the cliffs.

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