Pajuçara Beach

They say that Pajuçara is the only beach in the city that is OK for swimming. Both Praia da Avenida (all 10 kilometers of it) to the south and Praia Ponta Verde to the north are polluted. It’s true that the water in Pajuçara is a stunningly beautiful shade of blue that just beckons you to dive in. Don’t ask about its close proximity to the other, polluted beaches; and ignore the signs that advise against swimming after heavy rains. That might make you somewhat dubious of its chemical properties. Still, hoards of people swim out in the Pajuçara waters every day. During the week, it’s calm and beautiful. The restaurant/kiosks along the boardwalk provide excellent seating—both on and off the sand—along with a variety of seafood dishes for lunch (you can’t escape the moqueca, or fish stew; it’s on practically every menu in the city). The other side of the coastal road is lined with mid-range hotels that overlook the ocean and in the middle of the highway is a grassy meridian where you’ll find some convenient ATMs. Strolling along Pajuçara is a favorite activity for visitors and locals. The city’s principal tourist information booth is located in the middle of the three kilometers of the Pajuçara boardwalk. On the beach near the tourist information office are numerous jangadas, (small boats) that sit waiting to take tourists out along the shoreline or to the rock and coral reefs two kilometers out to sea. The reefs are excellent for snorkeling and diving.

On Sundays, the city blocks off the street from traffic and the area here turns into a kind of street fair. The entire weekend brings thousands of local residents to the beaches and there is hardly a seat available at the beach bars or a section of sand that is not filled with screaming kids. The weekend is a good time to head out to the remote beaches.