Ministério do Turismo

Maceió


Located in a totally coastal environment, Maceió stands out for its beauty, embedded in palm trees, mangroves and the sea. One can walk safely and calmly along its seashore. It also has many urban beaches. Maceió, capital of the State of Alagoas, owes its name to the Tupi Indians. Impressed by the natural phenomena they observed, they started calling it “MAÇAYO” or “MAÇAI-O-K” which means “that which covers the marsh”. The city began in an old sugar mill and plantation complex round the 19th century. Its development started with the arrival of ships taking wood from Jaraguá bay. With the installation of the sugar mills, Maceió started to export sugar, then tobacco, coconut, leather and some spices. Prosperity made it possible for the settlement to become a village on December 5, 1815. Thanks to its continued growth, Maceió became the capital of the Alagoas Province on December 9, 1839. The city has excellent tourism infrastructure with very good hotels, and a diversified culture reflected in its arts and crafts, cuisine and customs. Climate
It has a tropical, hot and humid climate. The hottest months are December and January, when temperatures reach 36ºC in the shade. The lowest temperatures, with lows around 21ºC, are usually in July and August.

Events
Warrior
This is a typical Alagoas revelry that resulted from the union of Reisado (an Epiphany celebration), Auto dos Caboclinhos (Caboclinhos’ Play), Chegança (public folk play depicting a naval battle) and Pastoril (outdoor folk play). Its captivating choreography and costumes with colored ribbons and beads reproduce the cathedral’s façades on the monumental hats covered with mirrors.


Fandango
This is a dramatic dance motivated by the sea. It tells the sea adventures of the first navigators in its songs accompanied by guitar and ukulele.

Boi do Carnaval (Carnival Bull)
Boi do Carnaval is a popular culture display derived from Bumba-Meu-Boi. It is always presented together with La Ursa (The Bear), Vaqueiro (Cowboy) and a percussion band whose rhythm captivates everyone that hears it.

Other events
- Bom Jesus dos Navegantes Party (January)
- Popular Traditional Festival and the city’s anniversary (April)
- Jeep Circuit (May)
- São João (June)
- Speed Motorcycle Circuit (August)
- Penedo Fest (October)
- Pesca de Arremesso Gymkhana (November)
City facts
Region: Northeast
Population: 797,759 inhabitants
Area Code: (82)

Distances
Brasília: 2010 km
Recife: 270 km
Aracaju: 290 km
Salvador: 610 km
Accommodation / Restaurants
Maceió has many good lodging options. The city has a complete infrastructure to serve tourists. The options range from international category hotels to cozy inns with more reasonable prices.

The star of the local cuisine is sururu, an edible mussel found in the Manguaba and Mandau lagoons. It can be served in several dishes, as a broth, and it is considered to be an aphrodisiac.

Besides the excellent fish and seafood dishes, visitors can also opt for other international cuisine dishes, served in the city’s restaurants.

Visit the sites below for additional information on restaurants and lodging:
http://www.turismomaceio.com.br/util-hotel.htm
http://www.brasilviagem.com/guia/?CodCid=26&Canal=5
http://www.turismomaceio.com.br/util-bares.htm
http://www.gastronomias.com/lusofonia/br-rest_nordeste_maceio.html
How to get there
By Air: Maceió’s airport receives flights from every large Brazilian city as well as some international flights.
By Highway: Maceió is connected to the main cities of Brazil by BR-104 and 101.
Services
Tourism Information
Phone: +55 (82) 336-4409

Zumbi dos Palmares Airport
Phone: +55 (82) 214-4000

Bus Station
Phone: +55 (82) 221-4615

Bank Agencies
Maceió has branches of all main banks in the country.
Related links
Visit Alagoas - Secretaria de Turismo do State (State Tourism Secretariat)
http://www.visitealagoas.com.br
Attractions
Urban Beaches

Jatiúca
Its name comes from the Indian word Y-ATI-UCÁ, which means “Tick”, the parasite. There is also another version that says its name comes from the fruit of the castor oil plant (mamona), a common plant in the region. The beach is located approximately 4.5 km north of downtown. The sea is very turbulent in all its extension, making it possible to hold surf and body board championships. Because it is located in the central area, it has plenty of restaurants, beach stands with showers, jogging and cycling lanes, exercise equipment, a shopping mall, hotels and inns.

Ponta Verde
A tip of land that rises out of the sea and is covered by green palm trees. This is the phenomenon that gave its name to one of the most frequented beaches in Maceió. In the past, it housed one of the most famous symbols of the city, “The Rhea Neck”, a palm tree whose trunk resembled a rhea’s neck. It was located near the present Yacht Club Alagoas (Clube Alagoinha). The reefs form natural pools and it is very common, during low tides, to see tourists bathing in these pools, especially near the lighthouse. There are some stands with live music, bars, restaurants, snack bars, and hotels.

Pajuçara
This beach is approximately 2 km from downtown. It is a calm water beach thanks to the reefs, which make it safe for swimming, especially for children. Near the arts and crafts fair in Pajuçara is also where the rafts leave for the natural pools formed by choral reefs, where the tourist will find floating bars.

Cruz das Almas
This is an urban beach with stands, restaurants and hotels. The place, which was once an Indian cemetery, is replete with mysticism, reinforced by the strength of its waves. During the day it is a surfers’ paradise; on full moon nights, it is the ideal setting for lovers that, without knowing it, celebrate the legend of the Indian couple that was sacrificed because they were from rival tribes. Some say that when the moon is most beautiful, the Indian couple comes to bathe in the sea water.

Sobral
The name of this beach is also the name of a neighboring district. The area around it, formed by farms and palm trees, belonged to Mr. Manoel Sobral Pinto, Commander Sobral, who gave his name to the place.

Pontal da Barra
This is a beach that, in the past, was adorned by moving sand dunes and native palm trees. It is the stage for one of the most beautiful natural phenomena: the meeting of the Mandau lagoon with the sea.


North Coast
The North Coast is rich in native palm trees, sea cliffs, mangroves, rivers, and diverse vegetation. Visits to Guaxuma beach, with its rustic and cozy seashore bars, Sonho Verde, with its green waters and vast coconut groves, and the famous island of Croa, in Barra de Santo Antonio, are a must.

Barra de Santo Antônio
It is located on the Alagoas Golden Coast, 50 km from Maceió. It has some wild beaches with reefs forming natural pools of clear water and light sand.

The township is divided in two along the banks of the Santo Antonio River: one side has most of the city’s urban structure, while the other offers the main tourism attractions such as Croa Island and Carro Quebrado beach. A river ferry, small rafts and barges are used to cross the river.

Croa Island
This is Barra’s busiest attraction. It has many natural pools and rustic bars serving seafood dishes. It is on the left bank of the Santo Antonio River, and access is by ferry.

Carro Quebrado Beach
This is an untamed beach with white sand, dense coconut groves, strong waves and green sea water. To the south, the colorful sea cliffs are the main attraction.

Tabuba Beach
It is located at the mouth of the Sapucai River. It has many reefs forming pools of clear water where it is possible to observe colorful fish and swim. Raft tours to the natural pools depart from this beach.


South Coast

Francês Beach
This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the south coast. Its bay is formed by a reef barrier, forming a natural pool, with rich sea fauna and water ranging in color from blue turquoise to green.

Gunga Beach
This was elected one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the country. Its white sand, framed by palm trees, moves towards the sea, uniting the São Miguel River water with the ocean.

Barra de São Miguel
The proximity of the reefs forms a natural pool along almost its entire extension. It is the favorite beach for tourists and the people from Alagoas. It has many vacation houses and a complete infrastructure.


Urban Attractions

Jaraguá
Today the Jaraguá district, an old bohemian refuge, is the reference to Alagoas’ night life. After renovating the area, the old warehouses and houses gained new colors and shapes and were transformed into bars, night clubs, show houses and restaurants. Jaraguá still conserves part of its history and stands out with the architectonic richness of its buildings and houses.

Peace Avenue
The setting for the most beautiful sunset in Maceió received its name in honor of the end of Second World War.


Shopping

Lace
In Pontal da Barra, on the banks of the Mandau lagoon, skillful lacemakers create articles in filet, bobbin, labyrinth and renascence lace. Several small stores, distributed all around the district, sell hand towels, blouses, beach shirts and pants, and curtains. Some of these products are resold at the Pajuçara beach arts and crafts fair.

Sebrae Warehouse
Here one will find sculptures, articles for decoration, lace, embroideries, shoes, furniture, sweets, and sugar cane rum, produced in several of Alagoas’ regions – Avenida da Paz, 878 (Jaraguá). Phone:82-2238200; open from 10 AM to 10 PM, Monday thru Friday; and from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.

Coruripe (93km) – Straw Arts and Crafts
The Pontal do Cururipe, a small village 10 km from downtown, produces arts and crafts made of ouricuri straw, a type of midget palm tree with long leaves. The raw material is transformed into purses, handbags, rugs, table settings, jewelry cases and beach mats.

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