Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FERNANDO DE NORONHA ACTIVITIES
Other than just lounging on the (usually) half-empty beaches, there are plenty of activities on
Noronha.
Hiking trails
through the park area allow good birdwatching and usually end up at
remote beaches, but require a guide (from R$50-60/person, minimum of two people) - it's rare
to find one who speaks English, though. Your
pousada
will be able to recommend someone.
Various companies also offer
boat trips
around the archipelago, departing from the port at the
northeastern tip of the main island (from R$100-150/person including transport to the harbour;
T
81 3619 1307). Several companies specialize in PADI courses (from R$2200) and
scuba-
diving
trips (around R$400 for two-tank dives, including equipment).
TOUR OPERATORS
Águas Claras
Alameda do Boldró
T
81 3619 1225,
W
aguasclaras-fn.com.br.
Atlantis Divers
T
81 3619 1371,
W
atlantisdivers
.com.br.
Noronha Divers
Terminal Turístico do Cachorro
T
81 3619 1112,
W
noronhadivers.com.br.
ACCOMMODATION, EATING AND NIGHTLIFE
Bar de Cachorro
Vila dos Remédios (Praia do
Cachorro).
When it comes to nightlife, your choices
essentially come down to sitting on the beach with a beer
or enjoying the ramshackle ambience at open-air “Dog
Bar”, where locals often join the tourists for bouts of
frenzied
forró
and samba.
Daily noon-midnight.
Mergulhão
Praia do Porto
T
81 3619 0215,
W
mergulhaonoronha.com.br.
Innovative fusion cuisine
blending Brazilian and Mediterranean flavours (lots of
seafood, pastas) with rustic chic interior, handsome views over
the port and delicious cocktails
. Mon-Sat noon-11pm.
Pousada Golfinho
Rua São Miguel 144, Vila dos
Remédios
T
81 3619 1837.
This cosy B&B passes for
budget accommodation on Noronha, 400m from Praia do
Meio. Sm
all but
comfy rooms come with satellite TV and
free wi-fi.
R$180
Pousada Maravilha
Vila do Vai Quem Sabe (BR-363),
Baía do Sueste
T
81 3619 0028,
W
pousadamaravilha
.com.br.
Luxurious option with gorgeous views over the
ocean, a posh spa, tempting infi
nity pool
l and wood-
framed bungalows and apartments.
R$1480
4
DIRECTORY
Money
Bradesco has 24hr ATMs at the airport that
should accept all cards; in Vila dos Remédios there is a
branch of Banco Santander (Mon-Fri 8am-1pm) and
several ATMs.
Paraíba
Like most of the Northeast, the state of
Paraíba
was developed by the Portuguese
as a major sugar producer, though also like its neighbours, the big draw today is its
sun-drenched coastline, the most easterly in all the Americas.
João Pessoa
, capital of
the state, is the most attractive of the smaller Northeastern cities, with some of the
finest urban beaches in the area, a beautiful setting on the mouth of the Rio Sanhauá
and colonial remnants, including one of Brazil's finest churches. Out of the city,
Paraíba is blessed with many wonderful
beaches
north and south along its 140km
coastline. Unlike some other parts of the Northeast, however, many of its beaches are,
for the time being, largely undeveloped and many require somewhat di
cult journeys
by bus and then on foot or by taxi to reach them. The inland
sertão
also contains some
intriguing destinations, notably the mesmerizing
Pedra do Ingá
(see box, p.284).
João Pessoa
Founded in 1585,
JOÃO PESSOA
is one of the oldest cities in Brazil, with a spruced-up
centro histórico
complementing a relatively low-key but popular 20km strip of resort
development along the city's two main beaches,
Cabo Branco
and
Tambaú
. Despite a
