Lagoa do Amor: João Pessoa's Urban Oasis
The Lagoa do Amor — Love Lake — is João Pessoa's beloved urban park; the lake surrounded by parks, the evening promenade culture, and the food stalls around the water create the city's most pleasant outdoor space
- 1
Lagoa do Amor Evening Promenade
The evening stroll around Lagoa do Amor - families, couples and joggers - is João Pessoa's most characteristic social activity; the lake reflections, palm trees and food vendors around the water
- 2
Parque Arruda Câmara Zoo
Parque Arruda Câmara – an urban park and botanical garden – contains the João Pessoa Zoo, with northeastern wildlife including arara macaws, jabuti turtles and the regional fauna of Paraíba
- 3
Jardim Botânico Benjamim Maranhão
The botanical garden in the university area preserves Atlantic forest fragments in the urban environment — the forest walks and the endemic plant collection are a surprising urban green space
- 4
Lagoa Urban Food Scene
The restaurants and food stalls around Lagoa do Amor serve the city's most popular evening meals — the tapioca vendors, juice stands and restaurants overlooking the water have a relaxed quality
- 5
Sítio Histórico de Muçumagro
The historic site of Muçumagro preserves indigenous archaeological evidence from the coastal region of João Pessoa – the pre-colonial occupation of the area is documented at a site within the city limits
- 6
Bike sharing and urban recreation
João Pessoa's bike-sharing network and the bike paths that connect the lagoon to the beaches make the city one of Northeast Brazil's most walkable and bikeable - a model for urban recreation planning