The white, square, reinforced-concrete Farol da Baía da Traição stands in the town of the same name. It was the second lighthouse built in the state of Paraíba. Together with the central square, an important meeting place for locals and tourists, it gives the town a clear focal point. The square is especially popular as a meeting place among younger people.
Coast and landscapes across the municipality
The coast of the municipality of Baía da Traição forms a crescent shape. It includes curved beaches, multicoloured cliffs, dunes and a chain of reefs. Cardosas, Coqueirinho, Giz Branco, Trincheiras, Tambá, Prainha and Forte are among the municipality’s beaches. Their cliffs and strong waves make them popular with surfers. At Praia do Forte, the open sea and well-formed waves offer particularly suitable conditions for Potiguara surfers; they consider it their preferred beach.
Lagoons also shape the landscape. Near Aldeia Perdida lies a secluded lagoon surrounded by vegetation. Lagoa Encantada in Aldeia Lagoa do Mato is one of the best-known lagoons in the municipality; its surroundings are characterised by clear water and preserved vegetation. These natural sites add two distinct landscapes to the coastal scenery.
Churches and cultural encounters
In the town centre are Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Penha, the most important Catholic building in Baía da Traição, and Capela Santa Cruz do Belo Amor. They can be combined with a visit to the central square for a cultural introduction to the town. The municipality is also home to Igreja de São Miguel Arcanjo: built between the 17th and 18th centuries, it is considered a symbol of the Catholic presence of the Portuguese colonisers. IPHAEP listed the church as a heritage site in 1980.
Aldeia Forte is home to the indigenous association Toré Forte, which received the Prêmio Cultura Indígena in 2007. Cultural offerings there include Toré dancing and handicrafts. In Aldeia Galego, tourists can experience dance and handicrafts; a path from the other side of the aldeia leads to the sea. If you would like to include these offerings in your plans, check the visiting arrangements in advance.
Other cultural sites lie outside the town centre. The original studio of Ateliê do Índio Severo is in Aldeia Tracoeiras, eight kilometres from the centre. Before making specific plans to visit, it is advisable to check access arrangements.
History along the coast and river mouth
The landscape also bears traces of colonial history. At Trincheira, dunes served as trenches for Portuguese troops fighting the Dutch in 1625. The historic Canhões do Forte are now at Praia do Forte. The fort built by the Portuguese on the Alto do Tambá site was used to monitor and defend the river mouth and the bay of Baía da Traição. It was occupied by soldiers from Forte de Santa Catarina in Cabedelo and was presumably equipped with iron cannons from Portugal around 1625.
When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the town centre and the various places across the municipality: the lighthouse and churches define the town centre, while the beaches, lagoons and cultural sites are spread throughout the municipality. The municipality’s tourist offerings also include restaurants and pousadas.
Discover more destinations: Cajazeiras, João Pessoa, Rio Tinto, Mamanguape, Esperança, Catolé do Rocha, Areia, Riacho Grande
For the broader travel overview: Paraiba.
