Maceio, the capital of Alagoas, is bathed by lagoons and a sea that mixes turquoise and emerald green.

The name Maceió has a Tupi origin, its name means “what covers the marsh”.

Historians claim that the capital of the State of Alagoas was born from a old sugar mill, in the XNUMXth century.

For others, its appearance is linked to a small fishing village.

Its cuisine is a mixture of the traditions of the Indians, the Portuguese colonizers and the Africans.

The Indians, the first inhabitants of the place, left the tradition of tapioca much appreciated for breakfast and in the late afternoons along the coast of Maceió in Alagoas. 

A few meters from the hotel, depending on its location, beaches with turquoise waters can be seen effortlessly in Maceió, one of the most populous capitals in the Northeast. With about 40 kilometers long, the coast is divided into North and South.

But it is on the main shore of Maceió that the three most famous urban beaches are located in the destination, such as the obligatory Pajuçara, known for its raft rides to the natural pools which are two kilometers from the coast.

The wonder trio is completed by the sand strips of Jatiúca and Ponta Verde, an area for practicing sports such as kayaking, windsurfing and stand-up paddle.

Not to mention the warm waters that, at low tide, form natural pools, protected by reefs, a few meters from the beach. But tourism in Maceió goes far beyond salt waters.

The state is also known for its lakes, hence the name Alagoas.

And it is from Maceio that the main ones are known.

The Mundaú-Manguaba complex, in the center-south of the Metropolitan Region of Maceió, is an estuary that houses channels and islands that can be visited on tours such as the traditional '9 Islands', which makes stops in fresh water beaches.

And, on the way back, there is still time to lose yourself in the shops with fillet embroidery, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Alagoas, in Pontal da Barra, where the tours depart.

Maceio beaches

Main edge

Urban and with an excellent tourist structure, this six-kilometer sector is home to the most popular beaches in the city, such as Pajuçara, Ponta Verde; and surfer Jatiúca, where the lively gastronomic hub of the Stella Maris neighborhood is located.

Surfers can also be found at Cruz das Almas, a beach with strong waves, in the north of the city.

North Coast

One of the highlights is Ipioca, a neighborhood 24 kilometers from Maceió, known for its calm and warm waters, where the Ipioca Lookout is also located and the historic Church of Nossa Senhora do Ó, recently restored.

The northern stretch of the coast of Macao also includes Jacarecica, Guaxuma, Garça Torta, Riacho Doce, Praia da Sereia, whose rock formation between the beach and the rough sea guarantees natural pools, and Pratagi, wilder and more without tourist structure.

South coast

Sand strips such as Sobral and Pontal da Barra are some of the best known sand strips, although not frequented by tourists. Pontal da Barra is famous for the work of its lacemakers and for the '9 Ilhas' tour, on the Mundaú and Manguaba lagoons (see below).

Marshal Deodoro

Praia do Francês is one of the most famous stretches of sand among tourists visiting Maceió.

Located in the municipality Marshal Deodoro, 18 km south of the city, this beach is known for the natural pools that form with the barrier of corals opposite.

At the site it is possible to snorkel, stand-up paddle, surf in the right corner of the beach and even ride a boat with a glass bottom (Crystal Boat) that allows tourists to follow the marine life during the trip (this service outsourced service can be hired at the reception agencies operating in Praia do Francês).

Up to 10 meters deep, the French Channel also allows for beach diving with cylinders, among rock formations and wrecks of small fishing boats. The recommended time for diving at the site is from December to May.

Gunga Beach

Located on a peninsula of Roteiro, a city 31 km from Maceió, the Gunga beach It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast of Alagoas, where it is possible to take buggy rides to the cliffs and nautical activities such as banana boats and raft trips to the reefs.

Gunga Beach in Alagoas

This well-structured beach can be combined with a visit to the neighboring municipality of Barra de São Miguel, from where boats depart for Praia do Gunga, a journey of approximately 20 minutes.

A barrier reef in front of the beach is responsible for the natural pools of Barra, in the municipality of the same name.

Maceio Municipal Park

Maceió Municipal Park is located in Bebedouro, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, on the banks of Lagoa Mundaú.

Maceio Municipal Park

There are 84 hectares of preserved Atlantic Forest and five trails open to the public.

The Municipal Park of Maceió, inaugurated in 1978, has an area of around 82, 4 hectares. In the place, the fauna makes the biological diversity count, and the visitor will be able to have the pleasure of seeing Yellow-throated Alligators, water chickens, Foxes, sloths, Armadillos Ball, Bearded Tortoises, marmosets, Hawks Hawks, owls, Young Anteaters, a variety of snakes, And other animals.

Rua Marquês de Abrantes, s/n – Bebedouro / Maceió. To have. the gift. from 8am to 17pm. Tel.: (82) 9 8801-3651.

Dives in Maceio

With visibility that can reach 30 meters and in waters of 27 degrees, the dives in Maceio take place at four different points.

The experience ranges from the Piscina do Amor (5 meters deep and aimed at baptisms and beginners) to technical dives, at 65 meters.

Discover the main shipwrecks in Alagoas

Highlight for the Draguinha, Dragão and Sequipe shipwrecks, at a depth of 30 meters, an hour's sailing from the coast.

According to the diving instructor, from the Let's Dive company, the dives in Maceió are characterized by the calmer sea and without the incidence of winds. “In terms of shore diving, it is one of the best in Brazil”, guarantees Fernanda.

The best time for diving is from November to March. During winter, especially between June and August, the sea has low visibility due to winds, rain and disturbed waters. Learn more: www.letsdive.com.br

LAGOONS

Mundaú Lagoon

Between the municipalities of Maceió, Coqueiro Seco and Santa Luzia do Norte, this 23 km² lake stands out for its mangroves and channels that form several islands.

The archipelago can be visited on the guided tour “nine islands“, tour to see the sunset, aboard schooners that depart from the Pontal da Barra district, on the border with Marechal Deodoro, and stop for landings in Prainha, on Ilha do Paraíso (formerly Ilha do Carlito) and also in Lagoa Manguaba.

Manguaba Lagoon

18 km south of Maceió, the municipality of Marechal Deodoro is also home to the Lagoa Manguaba, which recently gained a new shore equipped with bars and restaurants.

It is from the largest lagoon in the state that tourists can take walks through the colonial architectural complex of Marechal Deodoro, whose oldest buildings date from the 17th century.

Highlights for the Museum of Sacred Art, at Convento de São Francisco; Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, in rococo style; and Casa Museu Marechal Deodoro, residence of the first president of Brazil 

Handicraft

Craft Market

The handicraft is considered one of the biggest references in the subject, in the whole state of Alagoas, this market houses 250 boxes, where Alagoas pieces in leather, wood and lace, among others, are sold.

Ponta da Barra

To the south of Maceió and with less suitable waters for bathing, the neighborhood is known for its stores that sell traditional fillet embroidery, handcrafted work inspired by the weaving of fishermen's nets and declared Alagoas' Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Items such as towels and clothes can be found in several streets in the neighborhood, where the ateliers and stores run by local lacemakers, also known as filezeiras, are located.

In the neighborhood, whose largest concentration of stores of the genre is on Rua Alípio Barbosa da Silva, it is also possible to find pieces in cross stitch, fiber and straw braids, and wood art. Learn more: www.inbordal.org.br

Karandash Gallery

Artists Dalton Costa and Maria Amélia Vieira are responsible for the collection of around two thousand pieces of contemporary and popular art from all over Brazil, with emphasis on production from Alagoas, such as drawings, engravings and paintings.

Galeria Karandash Av. Moreira e Silva (Ladeira dos MartÃrios), 89 (Lighthouse – Maceió)

Circling through Maceió

To get to the neighboring municipality of Marechal Deodoro, where Praia do Francês is located, the best option is the tour of agencies that usually include this famous stretch of sand in the itinerary. (www.wstur.com.br / www.luckreceptivo.com.br).

For those who want more autonomy, this city, 20 kilometers from Maceió, can be accessed via the AL-101, around 30 minutes away by car. In Maceió, Silvio Viana Avenue, on Ponta Verde Beach, is closed to cars and can be used for walking and sports, on Sundays, from 8:15 am to XNUMX:XNUMX pm.

When to go to Maceio

As in the entire Northeast, summer is the best time to get to know the city, although prices are higher and attractions more crowded.

Avoid the rainy season, which usually lasts from June to August, when winds and rain can spoil the trips and leave the waters disturbed, compromising diving and nautical trips.

Maceio and Alagoas Tourism and Travel Guide