Campina Grande
Brazil · Americas
About Campina Grande
Campina Grande is the second most populous Brazilian city in the State of Paraíba after João Pessoa, the capital. It is considered to be the most important city of the Northeastern Brazilian subregion called agreste. It is considered one of the main industrial, technological and educational centers in the northeastern region of Brazil. Settled in the 17th century, the city was officially established in 1864. Campina Grande also has a large cultural agenda, including the world's largest Saint John's Festival (called O Maior São João do Mundo), which takes place during the entire month of June.
The founding of Campina Grande is credited to Captain Teodósio de Oliveira Ledo who led a group of Ariús Indians to settle the land and begin farming on December 1, 1697. However, some historians do not agree with this version and suggest that the place was already a settlement and named Campina Grande when Teodósio arrived with the Ariús. This position is certainly supported by the fact that Campina Grande is in a critical geographic location for people travelling between the highlands and the coast...
Campina Grande travel guide
Getting there
By bus The bus station, a blueprint of the one in João Pessoa, is on the SE outskirts of town, some 3 km from the centre. Take bus 500 or taxi (R$10) to the center.
João Pessoa by Real Bus at least once an hour from 5AM-8PM, 2 hours, R$16. Sousa by Guanabara[1] 6 daily, 5 hours, R$42. Juazeiro do Norte by Guanabara[2]
By plane There is an airport with regional flights
Getting around
If you stay in the centre, most is walkable.
Drink & nightlife
A few open air shacks around both Açude Velho and Açude Novo.
Bar Arte, Rua Treze de Maio, centre. Live music several times a week. Can get crammed. Entry R$3, small beer R$2,50.. Saloon Bar (Just west of Açude Velho). Live music and dancing on weekends. Cachaçaria (By Hiper Bompreço, near Açude Velho). Slightly upmarket bar-come-club
Sleep
During festival times prices can be as much as doubled, and posted prices might refer to these; always ask. A few hotels around the bus station, particularly newer ones of the fancier type. Downtown is a better option:
Hotel Majestic, Rua Maciel Pinheiro 216, centre. Great value. Neat, bright and clean. Wi-fi zone and internet in the reception. Air con and hot water showers. Good breakfast. Double R$60. Hotel Ellus, Rua Maciel Pinheiro. Basic, clean, also has larger rooms. Double R$45, add R$5 for air con..
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.