João Pessoa

Where to stay

Budget travelers split between the historic center, where colonial architecture and the São Francisco church sit on a hill above the Sanhauá River, and the beachfront strip seven kilometers east. Cabo Branco and Tambaú hold the tourist infrastructure, with Cabo Branco offering a wider promenade and Tambaú concentrating the feirinha market and nightlife.

Getting around

• The city center and the beaches are separated by distance, so use Uber or the urban bus network rather than walking between them. Buses from the central terminal to Tambaú cost a fraction of a taxi fare and run frequently during the day.
• Ponta do Seixas, the easternmost point of the Americas, is south of Cabo Branco and accessible by city bus. The Oscar Niemeyer-designed lighthouse and monument there are free to visit and offer sweeping Atlantic views.
• The historic center is worth a dedicated day for its restored colonial buildings and the tourist trail signs. Start at the São Francisco church and walk downhill along Ladeira de São Francisco for views of the river and surrounding forest.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest during the rainy season from March through July, when overcast skies and showers keep visitor numbers lower. Prices climb from August through December, peaking during the Brazilian summer holidays and Carnival, when domestic travelers fill the coastal beds.