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Getting to Lucena: ferry, road and the bridge — João Pessoa e região

Lucena

Getting to Lucena: ferry, road and the bridge

The two ways to reach Lucena today — the ferry from Cabedelo or the long way round by road — and what changes once the bridge is finished.

Foto: Thaynagomees · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Short answer

What is the best way to reach Lucena?

It depends on the day. The ferry from Cabedelo is the short route, about half an hour from João Pessoa including the crossing. On busy days, taking the road around the river avoids the queue, even though it is longer.

As duas opções de hoje

Lucena lies on the other side of the Paraíba River from Cabedelo, and it is that river that shapes the journey.

  • Balsa a partir de Cabedelo — o caminho curto, mas com capacidade limitada e sujeito às condições do tempo
  • Por estrada, contornando o rio por rodovias estaduais — mais longo, porém sem depender de horário de travessia

Lucena is about 50 kilometres from João Pessoa along the north coast. Those crossing by ferry land at Costinha — the municipality's first beach.

O que considerar antes de sair

As the ferry has limited capacity, weekends and public holidays tend to mean queues. Those travelling with children, luggage or a fixed appointment usually prefer the road.

Vale confirmar os horários de operação da travessia no dia da viagem — eles mudam conforme a maré e o tempo.

What changes with the Ponte do Futuro

The works under way link the BR-230, in Cabedelo, to the BR-101 North. The main structure will be about 2.1 kilometres long, and there is also a second bridge, of some 420 metres, over the Rio da Guia in Lucena.

The Paraíba state government's official forecast is completion in the last quarter of 2026. Once it is finished, dependence on the ferry ends — and Lucena stops being a full-day outing and becomes an afternoon destination.

Questions

What guests usually ask

What is the best way to reach Lucena?

It depends on the day. The ferry from Cabedelo is the short route, about half an hour from João Pessoa including the crossing. On busy days, taking the road around the river avoids the queue, even though it is longer.

How far is Lucena from João Pessoa?

Cerca de 50 quilômetros, pelo litoral norte. A travessia de balsa parte de Cabedelo e desembarca em Costinha.

A balsa para Lucena funciona todos os dias?

A travessia opera regularmente, mas com capacidade limitada e sujeita às condições do tempo. Confirme os horários no dia da viagem.

When will the bridge between Cabedelo and Lucena be finished?

The Paraíba state government's official forecast is the last quarter of 2026. As a large-scale project, the deadline may be revised.

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A new development on Ponta de Campina beach, in Cabedelo, with a water park, gym, barbecue areas, games room and kids' room. Five minutes on foot from the sand, where the sea is calm — the opposite of the surf at Intermares, two kilometres to the south.

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Where to stay

Know your dates yet?We'll handle the rest.

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