'Can anyone tell me about Joao Pessoa?' Travel

Matthew from Philadelphia (Contact Member) - 02/03/10 20:04

Hi ill be traveling to Brazil this summer. I would like to visit Joao Pessoa and im curious as to everything.

Crime

American safety

Motrcycle secrity ie how do i prevent the theft of and is that even a concern

Housing, cost

All around American welcomeness

Thank you for any and all help I can get

Happy peaceful living to all

Comment #1 Hendrik (84.196.69.10) - 02/18/10 05:23

"tourism in Joao pessoa"

João Pessoa has one of the lowest crime rates of the Northeast states, but is has crime also. I would say you don´t have to be over-conscious all the time, but also not walk over-exposing valuable goods, as cameras, watches, mobiles. Choose discret clothing and have none of that evident tourist things, like flourish shirts, hehehehe. Carry just enough money for what you´ll be doing.

American safety? Joao Pessoa has not much contact with aliens, so many can´t tell whom comes from where. They are aliens, just that. You´ll find that not many cannot speak english.

As being an small city that grows at fast pace, the traffic is a little chaotic, but the streets are ok an may use motorbikes.

hotels or summers houses are cheaper than the other vacations cities, as Rio, Recife, Salvador, natal, Fortaleza, but the demand and prices are rising, so I suggest take care of it as soon as possible.

The people are in general friendly and welcome visitors very well, americans or not. Just have a open mind and smile.

And have fun, of course!

The summer there is not at the same time as in USA, I believe.

PS: I´m natural from Joao Pessoa, but don´t live there.

Comment #2 Anthony Tobias Jugg (187.64.56.128) - 02/18/10 11:10

"Talking about Joao Pessoa, paradise in Paraiba"

The above message may be from a Pessoense but he is ill informed.

Living in JP, I come into contact with native speakers and Brasilian speakers of English on a regular basis. It is a university town after all and though English isnt spoken on the streets, you will be surprised at how many people can communicate in English. There are dozens of English language schools and the prefeitura has a programme for restaurant and hotel workers.

It is less likely for a Brazilian, speaking Portuguese, to come into contact with another Brasilian wanting to speak English who is already speaking Portuguese than a Portuguese speaking ex pat.

Paradise Beach Bar and Bikini Beach Bar are owned by Americans (Glenn and Harvey, respectively) and Palm Beach owned by Jason (Canadian) are all in Ave, Cabo Branco and are regularly attended by many ex pats. Giramundo in Tambau also has a fair smattering of ex pats.

You could take a ganders at the paraiba paradise site which has lots of info for visitors to JP including answers to your other questions

Comment #3 Hendrik (84.196.69.10) - 02/19/10 03:51

"more or less"

I recon that the youth and tourist-related do speak english more and more. But I was talking about the pop in general.

Se that those english courses from the gov are to the very basic: good moning, where to, please, etc.

Is true that the city has an crescent alien pop, but is not yet this cosmopolite city. Mostly, is cofined to the beachs.

As for the visitors: come without fear, the "pessenses" are very keen to help and welcome all people with open arms.

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