Maceió Itinerary — 3, 5 & 7 Days on the Alagoas Coast
Three days in Maceió is enough for the natural pools and urban beaches. Five days lets you add Maragogi and Gunga Beach. Seven days opens up São Miguel dos Milagres and a proper pace through one of the most beautiful coastlines in Brazil. This guide gives you a day-by-day plan for each option.
The Alagoas coast from Maceió — one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Brazil, with natural pools, coral reefs, and beaches that range from urban waterfront to remote coconut-lined shores.
3-Day Maceió Itinerary
Three days covers the essentials — the natural pools, the orla, and a beach day in Ponta Verde. It’s a focused city-and-beach experience without day trips.
Day 1 — the natural pools of Pajuçara, reached by jangada from the beach. Visit at low tide for the best conditions.
Arrive & settle in
Check into your hotel in Pajuçara or Ponta Verde. Check the tide table for today and tomorrow — this determines when you visit the natural pools. Ask your hotel for the best window.
Piscinas Naturais de Pajuçara
Head to Pajuçara beach and take a jangada to the natural pools. R$20–30 round trip. Spend 1–2 hours in the pools — the water is warm, shallow, and clear. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone. Return by jangada when ready.
Explore the Pajuçara waterfront
Walk the promenade, stop at a beach kiosk for coconut water and queijo coalho. Browse the handicraft fair if open. Rest at the beach before dinner.
Dinner in Pajuçara or Ponta Verde
Try sururu (the local Alagoano clam stew) at a restaurant near Lagoa Mundaú, or fresh fish at one of the beachfront restaurants in Ponta Verde. Early night — day trips start early.
5-Day Maceió Itinerary
Five days is the ideal length for a Maceió trip — you cover the city beaches properly and have two full day trips along the Alagoas coast.
Maragogi — 130km north of Maceió, with natural pools (galés) that rank among the most biodiverse and visually spectacular in Brazil.
Early departure from Maceió
Organized tours depart early to reach Maragogi by mid-morning and catch low tide at the galés pools. Breakfast before departure or on the bus.
Catamaran to the galés
Board the catamaran in Maragogi for the 30-minute ride to the natural pools. Snorkeling equipment is provided. Spend 2–3 hours in and around the pools — sea turtles, rays, and colorful fish are commonly spotted. The water clarity at low tide is exceptional.
Maragogi village & beach
Lunch at a local restaurant in Maragogi (fresh fish or shrimp, R$40–60 per person), then time on the village beach before the return journey to Maceió.
Return to Maceió
Back at your hotel by early evening. Light dinner — after a full day on the water, most people want something simple close to the hotel.
Book the Maragogi day trip through GetYourGuide — transport, catamaran, and snorkeling equipment included.
Maragogi Day Trip — Natural Pools & Catamaran from Maceió
- ✔ Round-trip transport from Maceió
- ✔ Catamaran to the galés natural pools
- ✔ Snorkeling equipment included
- ✔ Free cancellation
Gunga Beach — where the lagoon meets the Atlantic at the tip of a palm-lined peninsula 40km south of Maceió.
Drive south to Gunga
About 40km south of Maceió — 45 minutes by car or organized tour. The route passes Praia do Francês, worth a brief stop if you have time. Cross the lagoon by wooden boat to reach Gunga Beach.
Gunga Beach — lagoon and ocean
Gunga has two sides — calm lagoon water and ocean waves. Swim in whichever suits the day. The coconut palm grove lining the beach provides shade. A handful of beach bars serve fresh seafood and cold drinks.
Lunch and return
Lunch at one of the Gunga beach bars — grilled fish or shrimp, R$40–70 per person. Return to Maceió by mid-afternoon. Evening in Jatiúca for dinner and the city’s best nightlife.
7-Day Maceió Itinerary
Seven days gives you everything — city beaches, both major day trips, and an overnight at São Miguel dos Milagres for a proper taste of the undeveloped Alagoas coast.
Want to know more about Maceió before your trip? Our complete travel guide covers everything you need to know.
Maceió Travel Guide →Budget Summary
| Category | 3 days (budget) | 5 days (mid-range) | 7 days (mid-range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $50–90 | $300–500 | $420–700 |
| Food | $40–60 | $150–250 | $210–350 |
| Transport | $20–30 | $60–100 | $80–140 |
| Activities & day trips | $10–20 | $80–130 | $120–200 |
| Total (excl. flights) | $120–200 | $590–980 | $830–1,390 |
Planning Tips
- Check tide tables before finalizing your daily schedule. The natural pools and Maragogi galés are only worth visiting at low tide. Plan your itinerary around the tide, not the other way around.
- Book the Maragogi day trip in advance. In high season (December–March) the best tours fill up 3–5 days ahead. Book before you arrive.
- Build at least one rest day into your schedule. Full day trips are physically tiring in the Northeast heat. A day at Ponta Verde beach doing nothing is a legitimate and necessary part of a good Maceió trip.
- September to November is the best window for this itinerary. Dry season means reliable weather for all the outdoor and water activities. In the rainy season, day trips can be disrupted by afternoon showers.
- Stay in Ponta Verde or Pajuçara as your base. All of these itineraries work from either neighborhood — choose based on budget and atmosphere preference.