PONTA VERDE

Despite how lovely the Pajuçara Beach is, the happy masses hang out here at Praia Ponta Verde. The beach bars here are more integrated with the beach and provide a very festive atmosphere—some have large, shady areas with palm trees and grassy knolls. The beach itself is extensive and the kiosks and restaurants are spread out at intervals along its boardwalk. Here, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the city—both on the beach and on the inland roads, and they all stay open late at night. It’s interesting just to walk along the boardwalk at Ponta Verde, by day or by night.

Ponta Verde has a huge variety of hotels in all price categories. Some are on the coastal highway overlooking the ocean, but most are just a few streets inland. Along with all the other beaches in the city, Praia Ponta Verde gets crowded with locals on weekends—most setting up camp on the sand, where there is no obligation to buy anything from the beach bars. If you decide to stay in the city on a weekend, you can avoid the masses by sitting at one of the bars during the day.

The ocean at Ponta Verde is not recommended for swimming due to pollution and excessive algae that builds up along the shore. Nevertheless, you’ll find hundreds of people playing in the water here, usually on weekends.