North Coast of João Pessoa: Areia Vermelha & Lucena
- We have the most complete tours on the beaches.
- The tours are conducted by SUV 4x4 ⇒ more safety, more comfort... and more beaches!
- The tours are customized depending on your interests, your pace, and tides (VIP service).
- We have exclusive 4x4 only accessible routes, with focus on ecotourism, showing all the beauties of nature.
We work with LIMITED VACANCIES!

By Vicente Paul
What are the North coast Beaches of João Pessoa?
Areia Vermelha | Fort Santa Catarina | Ferries | Nossa Senhora da Guia | Prainha | Lucena beach | Barra de Miriri | 4x4 trails | Bom Sucesso
THE TOURS on the North Coast: It is necessary to distinguish between the urban north coast (up to Cabedelo), and the north shore on the other side of the river Paraíba, in Lucena: 1.- The interest of the first is to combine touristic points such as the Areia Vermelha Island, the fort Santa Catarina, and the Sunset on the beach of Jacaré; 2.- The interest of second lies in a coastline well different from the south coast, allowing SUV 4x4 stretches on deserted beaches and shallow warm water of Ponta de Lucena, riding on beach until the wild barra do Miriri. In this last tour, the SUV cross the Paraiba river on a ferry. This itinerary also includes a visit to the church Nossa Senhora da Guia, the spectacular ruin Bom Sucesso, and 2 viewpoints above the Miriri and Camaçari rivers. Lucena being a fishing village, fishes are a must. It is best to do this tour when the tide is low in the late morning, to enjoy the natural pools. Formed by the red sand caught in the canyons eroded by rains, swept away by the sea, and that builds up behind the coral reef, the Areia Vermelha island can be visited when the tide is low. It was used to defend the only access (at that time) to the old town, situated on the banks of the river. It has existed in the past another fort on the side, in Lucena (which doesn’t exists anymore), to defend the entrance of the Paraíba river. The fort contains illustrations of the meeting of Portugueses with Indians, with scenes of battles and exocannibalism very realistics! There are also pictures of the cruel whaling that took place here until the early ‘80s... Ferries are used by vehicles to cross the river Paraíba. There are also floating buses to transport passengers. "Paraíba" in Tupi-Guarani means difficult ⇒ Paraíba River means difficult to navigate, because of the river's shallow depth. Church of the late sixteenth century, built by Carmelites to evangelize the Indians of the north coast. It was destroyed and restored. The limestone facade in the tropical baroque style (with fruit representations of the region), is a true work of art that has been preserved to date. Opposite the church there is a colorful cemetery... The church is still in operation, and every year there is a large procession there. Of all the beaches on the North coast of Paraíba, Lucena beach is the longest. At Ponta de Lucena there are natural pools of shallow, warm water: it's the most enjoyable beach tour! When the tide is low, you can move hundreds of meters into the sea: superb! There are only fishermen, and nature is incredible. These sand banks that go in the sea are the result of opposing currents of the sea, and the Paraíba river. At the end, you can almost see giraffes heads in Africa ;-) North coast tour of João Pessoa: driving along the Caminho de Moisés, it's pure joy! ;-) This is still a wild place where the Miriri river meets the sea, forming a lake and surrounded by high cliffs... Great to take a bath in the river, in the sea or in the lagoon! Beaches on the north coast of João Pessoa: for those who like untouched nature, this is the place! Meeting of Miriri and Camaçari rivers with the sea... Impressive ruin classified by the IPHAN, in the middle of nature, far from all: it is necessary to cross a mangrove to get there! The façade of the church looks like being by a tree! (a "gameleira"). This church was built by Carmelites to evangelize Indians of the region, and was part of a larger set with a mill (hence the name "Bom Sucesso"... but the church did not have a good success ;-) ).Tour by the beach, on the North coast of Paraiba, up to Barra do Miriri
Areia Vermelha (urban North coast)




Santa Catarina Fort in Cabedelo


Tour on the North coast of João Pessoa, em Lucena
The ferries to cross the Rio Paraíba

The church Nossa Senhora da Guia




North coast beach: Prainha (was privatized)


Ponta de Lucena (with low tide)






North coast beach of Paraiba: the Barra do Miriri, only accessible by 4x4













Barra do Miriri viewpoints




Lucena - 4x4 trail




The ruins of Bom Sucesso in Lucena


on the Beaches