Turquoise-water natural tide pools reached by traditional jangada rafts, a laidback beach-city pace, and Alagoas's cachaça and lace-making traditions just inland from the coast.
Discover Authentic Maceió: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
The team at Mercure Maceió Pajuçara lives about as close to the postcard as it gets — the hotel sits blocks from the beach this city is famous for — and Discover Local is their shortlist, not a copy-pasted one. Below are the natural pools, the drink, and the craft street they'd point a first-time guest toward, plus an interactive map and the questions we hear most.
Our map pins local favourites such as the natural pools of Ponta Verde, Gunga beach and Rua das Rendeiras.
Top 5 Things to Do in Maceió
Piscinais Naturais de Ponta Verde
Natural tide pools that form off Maceió's beaches at low tide, calm and shallow enough to swim in even with kids in tow. Jangadas (traditional sailing rafts) run visitors out to the clearest pools further offshore, where the water turns a genuine turquoise. Check tide times before you go — the pools shrink fast as the tide comes in.
Praia de Jatiúca
The beach locals actually windsurf and kitesurf on, with steadier wind than the calmer pool-fringed stretches further south. A beachfront promenade runs the length of it, lined with kiosks serving fresh coconut water and grilled shrimp skewers. Late afternoon is when the wind and the light are both at their best.
Praia do Gunga
A schooner cruise south along the coast to a beach that still feels remote despite being one of the region's best known — cliffs, palm trees, and water clear enough to see your feet in waist-deep sand. Most trips include a stop at the natural pools en route. Book through a local operator rather than a hotel desk for a better price.
Alagoas Rota da Cachaça
A route connecting small cachaça producers around Alagoas state, where you can taste spirits made in copper stills using methods largely unchanged for generations. It's a genuine look at the agricultural side of the state beyond the coastline. Some producers require advance notice for visits, so plan ahead if you want a proper tasting.
Rua das Rendeiras de Maceió
A street lined with rendeiras — lacemakers practicing a craft passed down through generations of Alagoas women — selling handmade filé lace directly from their doorsteps. Prices are set by the hours of work involved, not tourist markup, and most rendeiras are happy to talk through their technique if you ask.
Explore Maceió's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Maceió
We've mapped local spots along the Alagoas coast. Bring your swimsuit.
Beaches & nature
Ponta Verde natural pools
At low tide, coral reefs off Ponta Verde beach form glimmering natural pools. Take a boat out or paddle over (wear water shoes) and watch angelfish dart around your feet.
Ponta Verde · Natural pools · Perfect at low tide
Jatiúca beach
Steady winds, moderate waves and warm water all year make Jatiúca Maceió's windsurfing favourite, with gear rental and schools for every level.
Jatiúca · Beach · Made for windsurfing
Gunga beach
South of Maceió, palm-fringed Gunga is often counted among Brazil's finest beaches. Sail over by schooner across Roteiro lagoon, then take a buggy past the red cliffs.
Roteiro · Beach · Ideal for a day trip
Maceió Municipal Park
Protected Atlantic Forest with trails where you might meet sloths and anteaters, plus the Lago dos Jacarés, home to caimans and turtles.
Maceió · Nature park · Great for wildlife
Crafts & cachaça
Rua das Rendeiras
On the lacemakers' street, artisans make tablecloths, shawls and dresses in filé lace at roadside looms. Buy straight from them – it goes directly to the makers.
Pajuçara · Craft street · Perfect for souvenirs
Alagoas Cachaça Route
Start at Mercado das Artes 31, then visit distilleries such as Brejo dos Bois and Engenho Caraçuípe. Finish back in town with a caipirinha, naturally.
Alagoas · Distillery route · Made for tasting
Maceió Free Handicraft Fair
A sprawling seafront market of embroidered clothes, jewellery and souvenirs.
Seafront · Craft market · Great for souvenirs
Food & nightlife
Cheiro da Terra
Northeastern dishes such as rabada, with live forró to get you moving.
Restaurant · Perfect for regional food
Janga Praia
A chic beachfront address for grilled lobster and fruit caipirinhas.
Beachfront · Restaurant · Ideal for seafood
Mariah Comedoria
An all-day buffet of northeastern favourites such as moqueca and acarajé.
Restaurant · Great for a casual meal
Maria Antonieta
Generous Italian cooking and impeccable service.
Restaurant · Perfect for dinner
Toca do Calango
A post-industrial gastrobar brewing its own craft beers.
Gastrobar · Made for craft beer fans
FAQ
Sururu, a local shellfish typically served in a coconut-milk stew, plus fresh grilled fish and shrimp from the beachfront kiosks along Pajuçara and Jatiúca.
Not strictly — some pools form close enough to shore to reach on foot at low tide, but a jangada trip gets you to the clearer, deeper pools further out and is worth the short ride.
Only at low tide, when coral reefs off Ponta Verde form the pools.
By schooner across Roteiro lagoon; cruises leave from points including Jatiúca beach.
On Rua das Rendeiras, where artisans make filé lace on roadside looms.
Where to Sleep in Maceió
See Mercure hotels in Maceió, all within reach of these picks.