Paraíba · Brazil
Where to stay in João Pessoa
João Pessoa is a city in Paraíba, Brazil, home to about 834,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- JPA8 km · Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport
- Currency
- BRLBrazilian real
- Time zone
- America/Sao Paulo
- Language
- Portuguese, Brazilian Sign Language
About
About João Pessoa
João Pessoa is a port city in northeastern Brazil. It is the largest city and capital of the state of Paraíba, with an estimated population of 888,679 (as of 2024).
João Pessoa, for its size, is a true paradise yet to be discovered: it receives few foreign tourists and offers an immense variety of attractions. Affectionately known as the "Gateway to the Sun"—for being home to Ponta do Seixas, the easternmost point of the Americas—the capital of Paraíba perfectly balances the relaxed pace of a medium-sized coastal city with the infrastructure of a modern metropolis. The destination stands out nationally and internationally for its generous expanse of green spaces per inhabitant, being considered one of the most wooded cities in the world.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in João Pessoa
See
The centre of João Pessoa is worth a day's stroll for its historic buildings, a growing number of which are being restored.
- São Francisco
- Casa da Polvora
- Ladeira de São Francisco
- Praça Antenor Navarro
- Ponta do Seixas
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of João Pessoa to stay in
The 5-km beachfront of Cabo Branco and Tambaú is dotted with hotels of all kinds, although rock-bottom budget options are few. Off-peak discount can reach 40%. Bargain hard.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in João Pessoa
24 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Tambaú Hotel | 6.2 km | |
| Atlântico Praia Hotel | 6.4 km | |
| Best Western Hotel Caicara | 6.1 km | |
| Hotel Cabo Branco Atlântico | 8.2 km | |
| Hotel Costa do Atlantico | 6.2 km | |
| Hotel Pousada Tamandaré | 6.3 km | |
| Ibis Joao Pessoa | 8.0 km | |
| Infinity at the Sea by Welkom | 6.2 km | |
| Littoral Express | 6.4 km | |
| Littoral Hotel | 6.4 km | |
| Nobile Suites Tambaú | 6.3 km | |
| Nord Easy Connect | 6.1 km | |
| Nord Easy Green Sunset | 7.9 km | |
| Nord Easy Imperial Suites | 8.0 km | |
| Nord Easy Ondas do Atlântico | 6.3 km | |
| Nord Luxxor Cabo Branco | 6.3 km | |
| Nord Luxxor Tambaú | 6.3 km | |
| Oceana Atlântico Hotel | 7.1 km | |
| Oriental Praia Hotel | 7.8 km | |
| Pousada Familly -Praia de Tambaú -PB | 6.2 km | |
| Residencial Solar Tambaú | 6.1 km | |
| Slaviero Essential João Pessoa Solmar | 6.8 km | |
| Verdegreen Hotel | 6.1 km | |
| VOA Ambassador Flat | 6.3 km |
All 24 hotels in João Pessoa, with their history and operators
When to go
The best time to visit João Pessoa
João Pessoa has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. January is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; June is the wettest, with about 334 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to João Pessoa: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport (JPA), about 8.4 km from the city centre in a straight line; Recife/Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC, 112 km) and Presidente João Suassuna Airport (CPV, 113 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
The airport is 25 km out of town. Uber takes you to the city center for around R$25 (May 2021). The price of a local taxi is negotiable. For international flights or a lower air fare you may also want to consider flying to the airports of Recife, Natal or Maceió. From there you can take an intercity bus or shared ride with Blablacar to João Pessoa. The taxi price from the Recife airport is negotiable. From Recife, Campina Grande and Natal you can take the intercity bus or Blablacar. From Campina Grande the only bus company which offers this route is Real Bus.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
JPA · Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport
REC · Recife/Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport
CPV · Presidente João Suassuna Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in João Pessoa
Stay safe
Although Joao Pessoa maybe considered a safe place to visit, especially in the coast bit, even in the most wealthy places (including Cabo Branco, Manaira, Tambau, Altiplano Cabo Branco, Aeroclube, Bessa, Intermares, Jardim Luna) you should not carry ostentatiously expensive watches, camcorders, iPods/iPads, or fancy mobiles, because you could get robbed even during day time. The Brazilian government advises tourists and locals not to resist, to avoid violence. During the evening you can walk along the coast of Cabo Branco safely, but avoid dark places and make sure there are people around you. If you need to go home, get a taxi.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
João Pessoa: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit João Pessoa?
João Pessoa has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. January is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; June is the wettest, with about 334 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to João Pessoa?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport (JPA), about 8.4 km from the city centre in a straight line; Recife/Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC, 112 km) and Presidente João Suassuna Airport (CPV, 113 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in João Pessoa?
Brazilian real (BRL).
Nearby
Destinations near João Pessoa
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.