Praia Bela: where the river meets the sea

Where it is

Praia Bela belongs to the municipality of Pitimbu, but it sits around 45 kilometres from João Pessoa — much closer than the town centre itself. That makes it one of the easiest day trips on the south coast.

You can drive yourself or go with agencies that sell the trip. One warning: the traditional south-coast itineraries usually não incluir Praia Bela, concentrando-se em Coqueirinho e Tambaba.

O encontro do rio com o mar

The place is defined by the Mucatu River flowing into the sea. At low tide you can wade across the river and reach the strip of sand on the other side — and that crossing is what the trip is about.

That is why timing matters more here than at any other beach in the region: arriving at high tide changes completely what you find.

Facilities

Unlike other south-coast beaches, Praia Bela has plenty of facilities:

• Restaurants line almost the whole bank of the Mucatu River, with tables, chairs and hammocks
• Na beira do mar há aluguel de cadeira e guarda-sol
• Bares e restaurantes servindo comida e bebida ao longo do dia

It is busy, and it works especially well for those travelling with children — or for anyone wanting a lunch stop on a south-coast itinerary.

How to fit it into your trip

As it lies halfway between João Pessoa and the town of Pitimbu, Praia Bela pairs well with the Conde beaches on the same day, or as a stop before carrying on to Acaú.

Se o plano é conhecer as piscinas naturais de Pitimbu, o ideal é separar outro dia — as duas coisas dependem da maré e dificilmente cabem juntas.