Ministério do Turismo

Maceió

Located in a totally coastal environment, Maceio, embedded amongst palm trees, mangroves and the ocean, stands out for its beauty. One can walk safely and calmly along its seashore. It also has several beautiful urban beaches.

Maceio, capital of the State of Alagoas, owes its name to the Tupi Indians who, impressed by the natural phenomena they observed there, 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 18th century. Its development started with the arrival of ships at Jaragua bay where they were loaded with timber. As more sugar mills were opened, Maceio began to export sugar, then tobacco, coconut, leather and some spices.

As a result of its continued prosperity it was promoted to the status of “village” on December 5, 1815 and, thanks to its continued growth, Maceio took on the status of capital of the Province of Alagoas on December 9, 1839.

The city has excellent infrastructure for tourism and can offer its visitors not only good hotels, but also its cultural diversity, which is reflected in its arts and crafts, cuisine and way of life.

Basic information
Climate
It has a tropical, hot and humid climate. The hottest months are December and January, when temperatures can reach 36ºC in the shade. The lowest temperatures, with lows around 21ºC, usually occur in July and August.
Events
Guerreiro (Warrior)
This is a typical Alagoas revelry, which resulted from the union of the Reisado (an Epiphany celebration), the Auto dos Caboclinhos (Caboclinhos’ Play), Chegança (public folk play depicting a naval battle) and Pastoril (outdoor folk play). Its choreography is captivating and dancers dress up in costumes adorned with multiple-coloured ribbons and beads. On their heads, they wear huge hats covered in mirrors reproducing the façades of our cathedrals.

Fandango
This is a dramatic dance inspired by the sea. Its songs, accompanied by the sound of guitars and ukuleles, tell of the nautical adventures lived by the first navigators.

Boi do Carnaval (Carnival Bull)
Boi do Carnaval is a display of popular culture derived from the Bumba-Meu-Boi. It is always performed together with La Ursa (The Bear), Vaqueiro (Cowboy) and accompanied by a percussion band whose rhythm captivates all those who hear it.

Other events
- Bom Jesus dos Navegantes Celebration (January)
- Traditional Festival of Popular Culture and the city’s anniversary (April)
- Jeep Circuit (May)
- Sao Joao (June)
- Motorcycle Racing Circuit (August)
- Penedo Fest (October)
- Pesca de Arremesso Gymkhana (November)
City facts
Maceio
State: Alagoas
Region: Northeast
Population: 797,759 inhabitants
Area Code: (82)

Distances
Brasilia: 2010 km
Recife: 270 km
Aracaju: 290 km
Salvador: 610 km
Accommodation / Restaurants
Maceio has many good lodging options. The city has a good infrastructure to meet all your needs in the way of tourism. The options range from international category hotels to cosy 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 used in the preparation of several dishes, a broth for example, and is said to be an aphrodisiac.

Among the options to choose from in the restaurants throughout the city are many excellent fish and other seafood dishes, but visitors will also find that other international cuisine food, is served in many of 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: Maceio’s airport is served by flights from every large Brazilian city as well as by some international flights.
By Highway: Maceio is connected to the main cities of Brazil by BR-104 and BR-101 federal highways.
Services
Tourism Information
Phone: +55 (82) 336-4409

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

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

Bank Branches
Maceio has branches of all main banks in the country.
Related links
Visit Alagoas – State Tourism Department

http://www.visitealagoas.com.br
Attractions
Urban Beaches

Jatiuca
Its name comes from the Indian word Y-ATI-UCÁ, and 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 the town centre. The rough seas along this stretch of beach makes it a good place to hold surf and body board championships. Because it is located in the central area, there are plenty of restaurants, beach stalls with showers, jogging and cycling lanes, equipment for exercising, a shopping mall, hotels and inns.

Ponta Verde
A tip of land that rises out of the sea and is covered in green palm trees. This is the phenomenon that gave its name to one of the most frequented beaches in Maceio. 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 stalls with live music, bars, restaurants, snack bars, and hotels.

Pajuçara
This beach is approximately 2 km from downtown. It is a beach with calm waters thanks to the reefs, which make it safe for swimming, especially for children. Near the arts and crafts fair in Pajuçara, rafts depart in the direction of the natural pools formed by coral reefs, where tourists will find entertainment from the floating bars.

Cruz das Almas
This is an urban beach with stalls, restaurants and hotels. The site, once an Indian cemetery, is filled with mysticism, which is emphasised by the force of its waves. During the day, it is a surfers’ paradise; on nights when the full moon shines, it is the ideal setting for lovers who, without knowing it, celebrate the legend of the young Indian couple that was sacrificed because they belonged to rival tribes. Some say that when the moon is most beautiful, the Indian couple comes to bathe in the sea.

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

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


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

Barra de Santo Antonio
It is located on the Golden Coast of Alagoas, 50 km from Maceio, and boasts some wild beaches with reefs forming natural pools of clear water and light sands.

The Santo Antonio River divides the town into two sections. Along its banks, on one side, is most of the city’s urban structure; on the other, the main tourism attractions such as Croa Island and Carro Quebrado beach. A river ferry, small rafts and barges are used for crossing the river.

Croa Island
This is Barra’s busiest attraction. It has many natural pools and simple 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 waters. To the south, the colourful sea cliffs are the main attraction.

Tabuba Beach
It is located at the mouth of the Sapucai River. There are many reefs, forming pools of clear water where it is possible to observe colourful fish and to bathe. The beach is the departure point for the rafts which tour the natural pools.


South Coast

Frances Beach
This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the southern coast. A reef barrier, which forms a natural pool where there is a rich assortment of sea fauna, surrounds the bay, and the water ranges in colour 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 lines of palm trees, moves towards the sea to where the São Miguel River water blends with the ocean.

Barra de São Miguel
The proximity of the reefs forms a natural pool along almost the entire expanse of this beach. It is a favourite beach for tourists as it is for the people from Alagoas. It has many vacation houses and a very complete infrastructure.


Urban Attractions

Jaragua
Today, the Jaragua district, an old bohemian refuge, is a reference for the Maceio nightlife. After renovating the area, the old warehouses and two-story residences were given new colours and shapes and were transformed into bars, nightclubs, show houses and restaurants. Jaragua still conserves part of its heritage comprised of imposing buildings and residences of extraordinary architectonic richness.

Avenida da Paz (Peace Avenue)
This is the setting for Maceio’s most beautiful sunset, and it received its name in celebration of the end of Second World War.


Shopping

Lace
In Pontal da Barra, on the banks of the Mandau lagoon, skilful lace makers create articles in filet, bobbin, labyrinth and renaissance lace. Several small stores, distributed all around the district, sell hand towels, blouses, beach shirts and pants, and curtains. Some of these same products can be found at the Pajuçara beach arts and crafts fair.

Sebrae Warehouse
Sculptures, decorative articles, lace, embroideries, shoes, furniture, sweets, and sugar cane rum, produced in several of Alagoas’ regions can be found here – Avenida da Paz, 878 (Jaragua). Phone:82-2238200; open from 10 am to 10 pm, from Monday to 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 the town centre, 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, place mats, jewellery cases and beach mats.

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