Lucena’s municipality offers more than a single stretch of coastline: its beaches extend along 15 kilometers of shore. There are also lagoons, mangroves and historic buildings. Visitors planning a stay can explore different facets of the municipality, from its coastal landscape to traces of its history.
Coast, Rivers and Protected Landscape
The municipality’s beaches include Costinha, Fagundes, Gameleira, Ponta de Lucena, Lucena, Camaçari and Bonsucesso. At Praia de Bonsucesso, fine white sand meets the mouth of the Miriri River, on the boundary of the Barra do Rio Mamanguape Environmental Protection Area. Farther north, the Miriri also meets the sea; the boundary of this protected area runs there too.
The Mirante das Falésias de Bonsucesso sits atop the cliffs and offers panoramic views of the northern coast of Paraíba. Looking south, almost the entire stretch of Lucena’s beaches is visible. Below the steep viewpoint lies the mouth of the Camaçari River. The trail by the ruins of Bonsucesso ends at the top of the Mirante. If you plan to take this route, check the trail’s current condition in advance.
The municipality of Lucena also has natural lagoons, including those of Mangue da Capivara and Mangue dos Homens, as well as mangroves and mangrove swamps. The Área de Proteção Ambiental do Rio Mamanguape provides another regional perspective: it includes, among others, the municipalities of Rio Tinto, Marcação, Lucena and Baía da Traição, as well as a marine area. Alongside the beaches, the lagoons and mangroves give the landscape a character of their own.
Trails and Activities in the Municipality
There are several ecological trails in the municipality of Lucena. Many pass through natural Atlantic Forest and alongside clear-water lagoons. You can travel these trails on foot, by motorcycle, bicycle or car. Check current trail conditions before planning an outing.
The municipality of Lucena has suitable places for diving, canoeing and other water sports. Alongside trails through forest and lagoon landscapes, visitors can also enjoy activities on the water.
Churches and Architectural History
The Igreja Nossa Senhora da Guia was built by Carmelite friars between the end of the 16th century and the second half of the 17th century. It stands on a plateau from which the mouth of the Paraíba River was to be watched for enemy ships. Its limestone façade is in a tropical Baroque style: figures of angels, the arms of the Empire and a skull are carved into the stone.
At the ruins of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Bonsucesso, different building materials meet a striking feature of the landscape. Parts of the masonry are made of limestone and sandstone, and the structure is supported by a centuries-old Gameleira tree. The Mirante at the end of the trail to the ruins connects the site with views across the coast, while the church itself offers its own glimpse into the municipality’s architectural history.
Pilgrimage and Getting There
The Romaria de Nossa Senhora da Guia held its 35th edition in 2023. The pilgrimage’s walking route began at 4 a.m. at the Sagrado Coração de Jesus Menino parish church in downtown Lucena and covered more than 10 kilometers to the Santuário da Guia in the municipality’s rural area. This information refers to the 2023 edition and does not indicate dates for later events.
Another way to get there is the public Cabedelo–Costinha ferry, a water transport service for vehicles and passengers between Cabedelo and Lucena, managed by the Departamento de Estradas de Rodagem da Paraíba. The crossing passes through Costinha and traverses the Paraíba River estuary. The Costinha terminal is in the Costinha district on the river’s right bank, not in the town center. If you plan to take the ferry, check the current schedule and fares in advance, as both may change.
Discover more destinations: Ibiara, Bananeiras, Mamanguape, São Bento, Taperoá, Campina Grande, Catolé do Rocha, Cabedelo.
For the main travel overview: Paraiba.
