This script is really unmissable, as it combines some of the best destinations in Brazil. The ideal to explore the various sights of Alagoas and Pernambuco located on this route is at least 7 days. There's a lot of cool stuff to know.
The region includes a stretch of the coast of Pernambuco and Alagoas known as the coast of the corals and is part of an environmental protection area, the APA Costa dos Corais that starts at the mouth of the River Formoso (Tamandaré/PE) and goes to the Meirim River (Maceió/AL). There are about 120 km of beautiful coast of Brazil.
As the beaches are protected by coral reefs, which at low tide create natural pools and provide warm water and greenish coloration, the region is often called the Brazilian Caribbean.
In this matter, we will identify what are the 10 attractions and unforgettable sights for those who visit the region. And also help you not leave anything out in this itinerary of travel along the coast of Alagoas and Pernambuco.
Maragogi, Porto de Galinhas and Praia dos Carneiros: Places to meet on the Coral Coast
What to do in a car route from Maceió to Recife: Alagoas and Pernambuco
Our itinerary begins in the state of Pernambuco, but you can make the itinerary starting in Maceió. The order of the destinies does not interfere with the tour.
In this first part of the script, you go straight to Porto de Galinhas. The length of stay there depends on the number of days you have in your itinerary. Let's set up some simulations for 7 days or 15 days of travel.
To make this itinerary, we recommend renting a car, which will give more mobility to know all the destinations.
But it is also possible to make this script without car. In this case, the tip is to rely on the support of local tour companies. In Porto de Galinhas, we recommend the services of the Sol & Mar Tour.
In this first part of the script, you go straight to Porto de Galinhas. The length of stay there depends on the number of days you have in your itinerary. Let's set up some simulations for 7 days or 15 days of travel.
To make this itinerary, we recommend renting a car, which will give more mobility to know all the destinations.
But it is also possible to make this script without car. In this case, the tip is to rely on the support of local tour companies. In Porto de Galinhas, we recommend the services of the Sol & Mar Tour.
Is it worth renting a car?
The best way to make this script is by car, because it gives you more autonomy to define the stops and the length of stay in each place.
- The price of a car rental for 7 days costs on average R $100.00/day for withdrawal and return in the same city.
- The ideal for this script would be to remove the car in Recife and return it in Maceió (or vice versa). But in this case, the rent price rises to R $150.00/day. That is, the difference is more than R $300.00 to return the car in another city.
- The journey time between Maceió and Recife is about 4 hours of road. So you need to evaluate what is most advantageous to you: Save the R $300.00 or save 4 hours of road and return the car to another destination.
- In general, it is easier to find cheap airline tickets to Recife than to Maceió. Therefore, our recommendation is to start the itinerary in Pernambuco (if you choose to return the car at the same location of the withdrawal).
Part 1: Porto de Galinhas and Praia dos Carneiros – Pernambuco
- If you have 15 days to make this itinerary between Recife and Maceió, we recommend at least 5 nights in Porto de Galinhas.
- Although it is possible to get back from Porto de Galinhas to Carneiros Beach, many people enjoy the experience of staying there. But it is worth noting that the place has no nightlife and the feeding options are limited. See if your hostel has a restaurant and full board.
- For a 15-day itinerary, it is worth booking 1 night for Carneiros Beach.
- For those who have only 7 days of travel, we recommend 3 nights in Porto de Galinhas and make a stop at Praia dos Carneiros on the way to Maragogi.
Route Recife to Maceió – Day to day
Next, follow the option of a route for those who have 15 days of travel.
- Day 1: Arrival in Recife, withdrawal of the car at the video store and go straight to Porto de Galinhas. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas.
- Day 2: Porto de Galinhas: End-to-end Buggy ride and natural pools. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas.
- Day 3: Porto de Galinhas: round trip to Santo Aleixo Island. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas.
- Day 4: Porto de Galinhas: Tour to Recife and Olinda. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas.
- Day 5: Porto de Galinhas: round trip to Cabo de Santo Agostinho. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas.
- Day 6: Check-out and depart for Praia dos Carneiros. Overnight at Carneiros Beach.
- Day 7: Departure to Maragogi. Overnight in Maragogi.
If you have only 7 days of travel to the complete itinerary, follow our suggestion of roadmap.
- Day 1: Arrival in Recife, withdrawal of the car at the video store and go straight to Porto de Galinhas. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas.
- Day 2: Porto de Galinhas: End-to-end Buggy ride and natural pools. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas.
- Day 3: Porto de Galinhas: Tour around the island of Santo Aleixo or Recife and Olinda. Overnight in Porto de Galinhas
- Day 4: Departure to Maragogi with stop to spend the day in Praia dos Carneiros. Overnight at Maragogi.
1 – Porto de Galinhas – raft ride to the natural pools
- Porto de Galinhas is the paradise of natural pools.
- Yes, we really like natural pools. And the natural pools of Porto de Galinhas are unreadable. Unlike the pools of Maragogi (accessible through a catamaran tour), these are close by, even to go walking (at low tide).
- But the best program is the raft ride. They color the scenery of the beach (although sometimes they spoil the scenery with the excess of advertisements). To attract the fishes, some jangadeiros provide food for fish.
- One option is to dive with cylinder, but sincerely our experience was not very positive. But as the value is relatively inexpensive, it may be an opportunity for you to experience the business if you have never done so.
Tip: The raft ride takes 45 minutes at 1:30 a.m. There is a kiosk of the Janganers Association, on the main street of Porto de Galinhas, in front of the beach. Checking the Tide board is essential, but reserving in advance is not necessary.
How much does it cost: R $25.00. Diving equipment and fish feed can be charged separately. I recommend buying a snorkel and scuba mask soon, since you are not sure whether these rented equipment are properly sanitized.
2 – Porto de Galinhas – Praia de Muro Alto and Pontal de Maracaípe
- Muro Alto Beach is my favorite corner in Porto de Galinhas. Again it is a natural swimming pool par excellence. Calm down, you're not going to get seasing in so many natural pools.
- The reef in Muro Alto is well defined (so the name of the beach), so it is possible to walk through it (do not forget the sandals not to hurt the feet). Between the beach and the "wall", a large and delightful swimming pool, perfect for example to go kayaking quietly.
- It is on the beach that you can find some of the best hotels in Porto de Galinhas, most of them for couples and families. Because of these hotels and resorts, access to the beach can be a little difficult.
- At the opposite end of Porto de Galinhas is the Pontal do Maracaípe, perfect place to take a raft ride, see Sea horses and enjoy the sunset.
- The best way to get to know the two beaches on the same day is to make a buggy ride from end to end.
Tip: The beach is 8 km distant from the center of Porto de Galinhas. You can even walk (on the way is the Cupe beach), but it is very far. Better even go buggy or take a taxi or Uber. The Maracaípe beach is closer and you can walk, but also to buy time, you can go by car, taxi or Uber.
How much it costs: The Buggy ride costs R $200.00 to R $250.00 for up to 4 people and also stops at Pontal do Cupe, in the centre of Porto de Galinhas and in the Coqueiral de Maracaípe.
3 – Tour to the island of Santo Aleixo
- To get to the island of Santo Aleixo, you need to drive to Barra de Sirinhaém. This is a round trip that can be made from Porto de Galinhas.
- From Barra de Sirinhaém, speedboat rides to the island. Who operates this script is the Monteiros Tour.
- The place has no infrastructure, but some beautiful natural pools and wild beaches to explore.
Tip: It is important to schedule the tour in advance and arrive early in Sirinhaém. The sooner you arrive, the more time you will have to enjoy the island.
How much it costs: the boat ride to Santo Aleixo Island costs R $60.00 per person, from Barra de Sirinhaém. To get there, you can go by car or hire a transfer from Porto de Galinhas (R $200.00 for up to 4 people with the Sun and Sea Tour).
4 – Praia dos Carneiros
- The Carneiros beach today is much more than a hit-back from Porto de Galinhas. There are a number of lodging options there.
- As we have already said, if you have a 15-day script, it's worth a overnight stay there. If you have 7 days or less, just spend the day there.
- Among the great attractions of the place are the super tranquil and paradiduacal beaches, full of coconut trees, and the natural pools formed at low tide. A catamaran tour is also offered in Carneiros.
- The most famous point of support to enjoy the beach is the Bora Bora restaurant. Other less crowded options are the Beijuripá and the Mustako.
- A small church is well facing the sea, the chapel of São Benedito, completing the paradisiacal scenery.
Tip: Although the Bora Bora restaurant is the most crowded, it is also the best structure and with the best location.
How much does it cost: the parking price in Bora Bora is R $30.00 per car. Who arrives by taxi or transfer does not need to pay anything. To get there, you can go by car or hire a transfer from Porto de Galinhas (R $200.00 for up to 4 people with the Sun and Sea Tour). The catamaran ride, optional, costs R $50.00 per person.
Part 2: Maragogi, Japaratinga and São Miguel dos Milagres, Alagoas
- If you have 15 days to make this itinerary between Recife and Maceió, we recommend at least 7 nights in Alagoas.
- The most recommended destinations to choose a lodging are Maragogi, Japaratinga (with cheaper options of inns), Porto de Pedras or São Miguel dos Milagres.
- For those who have only 7 days of travel, it is advisable to choose only one of these destinations and make tours to the neighbours.
Next, follow the option of a route for those who have 15 days of travel.
- Day 7: Arrival in Maragogi. Overnight in Maragogi or Japaratinga.
- Day 8: Natural pools of Maragogi and beaches of the north coast of Maragogi. Overnight in Maragogi or Japaratinga.
- Day 9: Beaches and natural pools of Japaratinga. Overnight in Maragogi or Japaratinga.
- Day 10: Road and beaches of Porto de Pedras. Overnight in Porto de Pedras or São Miguel dos Milagres.
- Day 11: Beaches of São Miguel dos Milagres and Praia do Marceneiro. Overnight in Porto de Pedras or São Miguel dos Milagres.
- Day 12: Departure to Maceió with optional stop at Broken car beach or Ipioca beach (Hibiscus Beach Club). Overnight in Maceió.
- Day 13: Beaches of Maceió. Overnight in Maceió.
- Day 14: Round trip to Barra de São Miguel and Gunga Beach. Overnight in Maceió.
- Day 15: Return to Recife or departure from Maceió.
If you have only 7 days of travel to the complete itinerary Alagoas and Pernambuco, follow our suggestion of script for the passage in Alagoas.
- Day 4: Trip from Porto de Galinhas to Maragogi with stop to spend the day in Praia dos Carneiros. Overnight in Maragogi or Japaratinga.
- Day 5: Natural pools of Maragogi and beaches of the north coast of Maragogi. Overnight in Maragogi or Japaratinga.
- Day 6: Road to Maceió, with stops in Porto de Pedras or São Miguel dos Milagres or go straight to the capital. Overnight in Maceió.
- Day 7: Return to Recife or departure from Maceió.
As you could imagine, in 7 days this script is quite rushed and ends up not giving time to know most of the beauties of the region.
5 – Beaches of Maragogi
- The main beaches of Maragogi are: Burgalhau, Barra Grande, Antunes, Ponta do Mangue and Peroba (towards Porto de Galinhas) and São Bento and Camacho (direction Japaratinga).
- By walking the road from Pernambuco, you can already choose to make some stops on the way. The first beach, closest to the border of the states, is the beautiful beach of Peroba.
- The most beautiful stretch of this coastline lies between the beaches of Antunes and Ponta do Mangue. Among them is the beach of Xaréu, also known as Praia da Bruna (a tribute to Bruna Lombardi).
- On the beach of Pontal do Maragogi is where you find the best infrastructure. There is also the point of support for major tourist operators: avoid if you are running away from a lot of movement.
- In São Bento, a legal program is to know the factories of gum biscuits (a species of Sequilho), traditional in the region.
- From these beaches, it is also possible to make trips to smaller natural pools, such as the pools of Barra Grande and the barrier of Peroba. It's usually cheaper than going up to the galleys and taocas and much more empty.
- The dimensions of these pools, however, are smaller and much more modest than galés.
6 – Galés – Walk to the natural pools of Maragogi
- Probably the best attraction of the whole region is to take a catamaran and follow 6 km inland Sea (about 30 minutes by boat) to find the natural pools. In Alagoas, they are called galleys or taocas.
- After the catamaran follows so long sailing, we stop at a place where it is possible to walk in the sea quietly (at low tide, worth remembering) and snorkeling to see the fishes. The color of the sea is impressive.
- The natural pools are part of the Environmental preservation area – APA Costa dos Corais, which aims to preserve the marine flora and fauna. As you can already imagine, the ecosystem is delicate and demands care to remain preserved, even more with the enormous amount of people who visit the pools daily.
- Do not touch or walk on the corals, only in the stretches of sand.
Tip: The time of the tour depends on the Tide board. Please inquire at the location on the departure hours.
How much does it cost: The values cost from R $65.00 per person. If possible book in advance.
7 – Japaratinga
- Japaratinga is next to Maragogi and guard as a similarity to the beaches full of coconut trees and paradisiacal landscapes.
- The Centrinho is very modest, but there are some good lodging options, such as the Pousada do Alto.
- At low tide, it is possible to walk a long sea inside, without you sinking. It's not exactly a natural pool, because you don't see the edges of "this pool", but it's very shallow and you can enjoy it like a swimming pool.
- In Japaratinga There are also raft rides to natural pools.
- If you are coming from Maragogi, there are several stretches where you stop. Whether in the center of Japaratinga, or a little further on Bitingui beach.
- From there, the path follows to the barrier of Boqueirão, another point with some restaurants and in the end you reach the river Manguaba, which divides Japaratinga from Porto de Pedras.
- We did this whole stretch on foot, but it is possible to go by car or also "hitchhiker" paid in Mototaxis.
How much it costs: the ferry crossing from Japaratinga to Porto de Pedras costs R $15.00 per car. Pedestrians have free access. On days of movement, the crossing can take 1 hours, so the alternative is to go inland, via Porto Calvo.
Tip: Also look for a few sights from the top to check the scenery view from above (the look of the Pousada do Alto is unmissable). You'll admire a multitude of coconut trees and the green Sea of the beaches: it's an unforgettable setting.
8 – Porto de Pedras and the tour to see the manatee
- At the end of Japaratinga, we find the river Manguaba, which can be crossed by ferry. On the other side of the river is the picturesque Porto de Pedras.
- The Google Maps path indicates the path through an internal road, which is an alternative to the most moving days. The ferry is small and the wait on the crossing can last about 1 hours.
- The great highlight of Porto de Pedras is the lighthouse, with a view of the river and the beaches. Better leave the car at the base and walk up.
- The region is also known for the tour to see the manatee. Learn more at the Peixe-Boi Association website.
- The proposal of the Peixe-Boi Association is the tourism of observation, which generates income for the local population and also stimulates socio-environmental education. Manatee is the most endangered aquatic mammal in Brazil.
Tip: The small town of Porto de Pedras is a lonely peace. Looks like you went back in time. Take a moment to relax and enjoy a climate of inner city, only by the seaside.
How much it costs: the ride to see the manatee costs R $50.00, but it is not guaranteed that the pet is seen. Anyway, the tour is enjoyable and allows you to see the habitat and get to know the project, although the price is not of the best. Book in advance.
9 – Patacho Beach and the ecological route
- Often this beach enters the list of the best beaches in Brazil. It is one of the few that earn 5 stars of the Four Wheels guide, for example.
- Praia do Patacho is part of the municipality of Porto de Pedras, although there is confusion and have those who include it as part of São Miguel dos Milagres.
- The thing is that it is located on the road called Ecological route, which runs through this stretch of enchanting beaches on the coast of Alagoas.
- The ecological route has attracted a number of travelers looking for the most reserved and private beaches and charm lodgings. So staying there goes more expensive.
Tip: Try to go at low tide to see some natural pools. The color of the sea also gains more beautiful shades as a function of the contrast between sea water and reefs.
How much does it cost: The value of a daily in the region leaves around R $200.00 to R $300.00. You can find some places to enjoy a pool in a day-use scheme.
10 – São Miguel dos Milagres
- The ecological route and the Coral Coast follow two more destinations that follow the same scheme of Porto de Pedras: Secluded places, with charming inns and deserted and paradiseacal beaches.
- In São Miguel dos Milagres, the highlights are for the beaches of Barra do Camaragibe, Praia do Marceneiro, the creek, Praia de São Miguel dos Milagres, Praia do Toque, Porto da Rua and Tatuamunha.
- Here there are also raft rides to the natural pools (we did the tour from the beach of São Miguel dos Milagres), which are much quieter than those of Maragogi.
Tip: Despite being many beaches, here the thing is not to seek to know all but choose one to relax and enjoy well. The proposal here in the region is the isolation and relaxation in the natural pools formed at low tide, and they all possess with praise.
How much does it cost: There is no fee for visiting the entire APA – the Coral Coast Environmental Protection area. Raft rides or tours to see the manatee, obviously, are paid for they involve the work of the local population.
Credits: viagenscinematograficas
Credits: viagenscinematograficas
