The urban beaches of João Pessoa: Cabo Branco, Tambaú, Manaíra and Bessa

Four urban beaches run into one another to form the busiest waterfront in the Paraíba capital, each with its own identity.

João Pessoa's urban waterfront is a continuous sequence of beaches that changes its name but not its boardwalk: Cabo Branco, Tambaú, Manaíra and Bessa flow into each other along several kilometers of sandy shore. Cabo Branco, about 5.1 km long, is considered by many visitors the city's most beautiful urban beach, flanked by cliffs, restaurants, hotels and the Estação Cabo Branco, a cultural center designed by Oscar Niemeyer. The avenue's boardwalk and bike lane are closed to vehicle traffic from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. for walking, running and cycling.

Tambaú, 1.2 km long, is the capital's tourist heart: catamarans to the Picãozinho natural pools depart from there, and the traditional Mercado de Artesanato Paraibano craft market operates there as well. The name comes from Tupi and refers to "river of shells." The site is also home to the Tambaú Hotel, built in a circular shape and opened in September 1971, one of the waterfront's architectural landmarks.

Heading north, Manaíra has a narrow strip of sand at its border with Tambaú, which widens as it approaches Bessa. Bessa beach, at the northern end of the urban waterfront, adds about 5.3 km of light, packed sand, with calm, greenish waters protected by reefs — a stretch informally known as "Caribessa" for its resemblance to Caribbean scenery.

This entire urban stretch concentrates the city's largest tourist infrastructure: hotels, inns, bars, kiosks and lifeguard service at the busiest spots. It is the ideal base for exploring the João Pessoa coast on foot, by bicycle or by buggy, with easy access to trips to the other beaches of the metropolitan region.