Joao Pessoa lies the extreme eastern point of continental Brazil and is blessed with beautiful beaches and white sand bathed by a turquoise blue sea. It is the 3rd oldest city in Brazil and dates back from 1585. The capital of the state Paraiba (Parayba means wild water River in the language of the local Indians) is very small for Brazilian standards, 650.000 habitants, and has a mass of fully preserved natural forests, squares and gardens, which is why it is considered one of the cities with the highest index of green area per inhabitant in the world.  The city has a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere!
The main reason people come here is for the beaches, but before one heads for the ´praias´ you should at least check out the historical centre. The old part of town posses some beautiful baroque structures, like the church São Francisco, and the convent Santo Antônio, buildings that date back to the XVIII century. The church altar is adorned with gold and magnificent Portuguese tiles. It’s also worthwhile to visit the churches N.S. da Guia and N.S. do Carmo, and the Palácio da Redenção (Redemption’s Palace). All three of these buildings date back to the XVI century. Be sure to make time to visit the Santa Rosa theatre, still in use, and one of the oldest theatres in the country, dating back to 1889.
Another ´must´ for visitors is the Cabo Branco (White Cape). For a long time, Cabo Branco was the Easternmost point of Americas, and a lighthouse was built to register the landmark. However, over the past decades, marine erosion took away some cubic meters land from Cabo Branco and deposited it on Ponta Seixas, about 3 km South. Nowadays Ponta Seixas is officially considered the most Oriental point in continental Brazil (as well as Americas!).