Praia do Jacaré and the sunset to the sound of Ravel's Boléro

In Cabedelo, a saxophonist has accompanied the sunset playing Ravel's Boléro from a canoe since 2001.

Praia do Jacaré is located in the municipality of Cabedelo, in the João Pessoa metropolitan region, and despite the name, the water there is from the Paraíba River, not the open sea. What makes the site one of the most sought-after spots on the Paraíba coast is the late-afternoon ritual: every day, around 5 p.m., saxophonist Jurandy do Sax sails a canoe along the river playing "Boléro de Ravel," visually following the line of light the sun forms on the water. The tradition began in 2001 and has already surpassed thousands of performances.

There are two main ways to watch the spectacle. The simplest and free option is to watch from the waterfront, on a renovated deck overlooking the river and the sunset, at no admission cost. Those who want a closer view can board a catamaran trip, usually departing around 4 p.m. from the pier at Praia do Jacaré, lasting about an hour and a half, with an admission fee charged by the boat operator.

Sunset time varies throughout the year, so it is worth checking the local time on the day of the visit — generally, between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for most of the year in the region. Since it sits at the mouth of the Paraíba River, Jacaré is also a starting point for other trips in the region, such as visits to Areia Vermelha and Santa Rita island.

The beach has bars and restaurants along the waterfront facing the sunset, which makes late afternoon the busiest time at the site — it is worth arriving early to secure a spot with a good view before the performance begins.