The saxophonist
Ravel's Boléro.
Rafael Vianna Croffi from São Paulo, Brazil — CC BY 2.0 · Rafael Vianna Croffi from São Paulo, Brazil — CC BY 2.0 · Taypapas — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dante Laurini Jr — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zelma Brito — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Zelma Brito — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Marcos Elias de Oliveira Júnior — CC0
Jacaré beach is a riverside leisure area on the Paraíba River in the municipality of Cabedelo next to João Pessoa, reached at kilometre 8 of the BR-230 highway. It takes its name from the «jacaré» caimans once plentiful near the river mouth, where giant intertwined trees formed the riverbank forests. Its fame rests on a unique daily ritual: as the sun sets over the river, a musician plays Ravel's «Boléro» on the saxophone, standing on a boat that passes in front of the jetties, while visitors gather at the riverside restaurants and kiosks to watch the sun sink behind the mangroves. The musician has played it thousands of times, and it has become the symbol of the place. The beach is part river, part sea, used for fishing, rowing and sailing, but its water is sometimes unfit for swimming, so it is a place for the view and a riverside meal rather than a swim. Arrive an hour before sunset to find a spot; boat trips on the river also leave from here.
Ravel's Boléro.
Behind the mangroves.
By boat.
Jacaré, Cabedelo, at km 8 of the BR-230, Paraíba
A musician plays Ravel's Boléro on the saxophone from a boat while visitors watch the sun set over the river.