The Area > North East Brazil

This section is designed to give you an insight into North-East Brazil, what to do when you are here and how to take advantage of the breathtaking array of activities, on offer. From viewing dinosaur footprints, to getting your adrenaline pumping through extreme sports, or simply relaxing with a drink in front of yet another stunning sunset, our corner of the world has it all.

João Pessoa

João Pessoa is the third oldest city in Brazil and is also considered by the United Nations as the greenest city in Brazil and the second greenest in the world (after Paris). It is the city where the sun rises first in the whole of the Americas; therefore João Pessoa is, by definition, the Easternmost Point on the American continent.

João Pessoa has the lowest crime rate of any state capital city in Brazil; the climate is tropical with an average temperature of 26ºC, it is sunny all year round and it has 37 kilometers of beautiful beaches. It is, without doubt, a sumptuous slice of heaven.

Around João Pessoa

For a day out on the water, João Pessoa offers surfing, kite surfing, a yacht club, and marinas, as well as beaches known for beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and the long luxurious day in between.

Jacare Beach is 10 kilometers from the city centre and is famous for waterside restaurants, bars and shops. It boasts amazing sunsets, at which time you can relax to the sound of a saxophonist playing Ravel’s Bolero.

Picãozinho is a ten minute boat ride from Tambaú Beach in João Pessoa. It takes you to a sensational low tide coral reef where you can snorkel with an incredible assortment of brightly coloured tropical fish.

Areia Vermelha is a five minute boat ride from Camboinha Beach in João Pessoa. This beautiful white island only appears at low tide. Boats with bars and restaurants congregate here offering a great place for a day out where you can bask in the beautiful sun and hot tropical sea.

South of Joao Pessoa

Jacumã is a beautiful fishing village located just 25 kilometers south of João Pessoa. It has shops, restaurants, beach bars, schools, a small water park and it is a popular destination for tourists. There are many stunning homes and new developments in this area. The world-class beach of Coqueirinho is a 3 minute drive from Jacumã town, boasting perfect white sand beaches and great beach bars.

In 2005, the Brazilian Government approved an initial investment of 19 million Reais (£4.75m) into the tourism infrastructure in Jacumã, which will include redeveloping the main high street, new beach bars, a shopping mall and a complete overhaul of the beachfront. There are also plans for at least three golf courses in the local area. This government grant, coupled with an unprecedented level of foreign investment in last 12 months, makes the area around Jacumã one of the most potent real estate markets globally.

Tambaba beach is located 28 Km south of João Pessoa. It is internationally known as a first class nudist beach. Its untouched natural beauty boasts crystal clear natural pools. It was the first ever Brazilian nudist beach and is recognized as one of the sanctuaries of national naturism.

Pitimbu is a stunning fishing village, reminiscent of an exclusive Caribbean retreat, 15 Km further south of João Pessoa. Until recently, Pitimbu had been virtually untouched by foreign investment. However, the recent announcement of R$2 billion (£500m) of investment by the Marriot Group, Valerobrasil Golf Marine Resort and the Coconut Beach Resort means that this quiet fishing village is about to become one of the hottest property prospects in North East Brazil. It also rests just 45 minutes from Recife International Airport.

Other areas of interest around North East Brazil

Pedra da Boca is located in Araruna, 170 km from João Pessoa. This adrenalin junkie’s paradise is home to a host of adventure sports. It is also a prehistoric shelter that marks the landscape between two states: Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba. Prehistoric paintings and caves, coupled with the extreme sports, make this place a must-see destination.

Campina Grande is the second most populated city of Paraíba. It is 120 km from João Pessoa and is the industrial and technological hub of Northeast Brazil. The city offers a wide cultural agenda, such as Sao João festival (30 days of non-stop partying!), which happens during June and the Micarande, one of the most traditional out of season carnivals of Brazil.

Vale dos Dinossauros is located in the city of Sousa, is one of the most important archaeological sites, home to the single largest site of dinosaur footprints in the whole world.

Cuisine

Brazil has a rich history of cultural influences, and this certainly extends to the dinner table. From the gauchos on the ranches to the endless coastline offering the ocean’s bounties, you will find a world of gastronomic delights.

Fishermen bring fresh caught fish and seafood from the João Pessoa coast to the fish markets and restaurants each morning.

Brazil prides itself on producing the most natural and succulent meat in the world. You will find churrasquerias, Brazilian barbeque, everywhere you go. Waiters circle the restaurant with cuts of flame-grilled fresh meats; churrasco is always accompanied by a variety of salads, rice, beans, farofa and other typically Brazilian accompaniments.

A newly reconstructed farmer’s market in downtown João Pessoa offers hundreds of stalls where you can buy an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables for very little money. Freshly-picked salad vegetables, mangos, papayas, bananas, and local fruits like caju, cajá, graviola and acerola overflow. At the peak of the crop, you can buy 6 pineapples for just 1 Real (25p)!

Of course, in addition to the fantastic regional cuisines of Northeast Brazil, you can find other cuisines to satisfy a taste for variation: sushi, pizza, Chinese food, and Middle Eastern food can all be sought out, if desired.

And for those with a sweet tooth, doce de leite, brigadeiros (chocolate truffles), canjica (sweet corn pudding), and ice cream - in flavors like African chocolate, avocado and toasted coconut - are just a sampling of the sweet treats that await you.

Driving and Car Rental in Brazil

With a valid driver’s license from your home country, you will have no problem driving in Brazil. The roads are generally easy to navigate with common traffic signs and directional signs designed to lead you to key destinations.

The Brazilian Federal Government maintains a website (in Portuguese) with up-to-date information on road conditions throughout the country. The site also has downloadable state roadmaps. A private Brazilian company, Quatro Rodas, publishes road maps that contain local phone numbers to ascertain the current conditions of roads on the map. They are available at www.guia4rodas.com.br

Car rental is also easy, and we can help guide you to reputable car rental dealers to rent exactly what you need.

Public Transportation

João Pessoa has an excellent bus system. All buses lead back to two central points in downtown João Pessoa; in one location you can find a bus to any point in the city, and at the other, you can make a free transfer. No matter where you are staying or buying property, we can tell how to get from one point to the next.

There are also buses available to any other city in Paraíba, or as far as Recife, Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo.

Language and Currency

The national language of Brazil is Portuguese. Portuguese has many similar structural roots to Spanish, but the chances are it won’t sound the same to you. If you are fluent in Spanish however, you may find it easy, with a bit of study, to transition into Portuguese.

We do recommend equipping yourself with a guidebook to help you along. Be sure to get a book specifically on Brazilian Portuguese, as it has many subtle differences from the Portuguese language spoken in Portugal. One recommended guidebook is by Lonely Planet, called “Brazilian Portuguese: Lonely Planet Phrasebook” and is inexpensive and extremely helpful. It will give you useful phrases for many important situations, as well as instruction on pronunciation.

The national currency of Brazil is the Real (Reais in plural). Today, the currency exchange ratios are approximately as follows: 1£ = 4 Reais, 1€ = 2.66 Reais, 1US$ = 1.95 Reais. You will likely find the best exchange rates through banks and ATMS; there are, however, money exchange services in downtown João Pessoa as well.

For daily updates on currency exchange, please check out http://www.xe.com

Healthcare in Brazil

Brazil has good public healthcare, especially in capital cities. Municipal hospitals are widely available and provide free treatment, including emergency services, to everyone. Private health insurance providers are also available, as well as private pension plans. The private healthcare service in Brazil is generally regarded as world-class.

It would be wise, nonetheless, to make sure that your healthplan in your current country of residence provides overseas coverage for your trip, or consider medical/travel insurance.

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