What to do in Maragogi, Alagoas? This text is a travel guide on one of the most beautiful destinations in Brazil and was built based on the experience of several passes around the city.
What to do in Maragogi: the main tours
There is no shortage of interesting tours in Maragogi. Including the best of them, which is simply relaxing on the beaches. There, the water has its own color: it is the blue-maragogi, which so much resembles the Caribbean.
Galés de Maragogi: the natural pools
This is the most traditional tour of the city. You enter a boat and go to the natural pools that form in the middle of the sea, about six kilometers from the coast.
There are three pool areas along the Maragogi coast. Taocas, which is in front of Maragogi Beach, and Barra Grande, located in front of the beach of the same name, are two of them. The third area is the most famous, whose name ends up being applied to the whole set: the Galés de Maragogi.
When hiring your tour, probably no one will tell you what area you visit will be – whether you really go to galleys or to one of the other pool areas.
Therefore, if you make a point of going to a specific area, ask before hiring the tour. To control the flow of visitors and protect the region, there is a rotation scheme involving companies in the areas visited.
The pools are formed by corals, during low tide. In addition to observing the beauty of the waters, everyone usually faces snorkeling, in an attempt to see up close the colorful fish that live there. It is also possible to dive with a cylinder or hire a professional service to take pictures underwater – and surrounded by fish.
But beware: if you notice that your guide is attracting fish artificially (with feed, for example), know that this is prohibited and, according to studies by the NGO Projeto Recifes Coastal, generates environmental imbalance and can harm animals.
Among other problems, the practice favors the establishment of only a few species of fish, harming biodiversity. So if you want the pools of Maragogi to continue there, beautiful and preserved, help to combat the practice.
It is also worth remembering that the natural pools of Maragogi are part of the Costa dos Coral Environmental Protection Area and that those who violate the rules of the region can be fined.
How much does a walk for the Maragogi natural pools cost?
The tour to the natural pools costs, on average, R$ 120 per person. There may be an additional fee for snorkel rental, which is around $ 30.
You can hire the service as soon as you arrive in Maragogi, at the reception of many hotels, or through the internet. If your time in the city is in high season or for a short period, it is advisable to book.
We book with the company Maragogi Receptives, which has a store in front of the central beach of the city, but several companies also offer the tour. Any more activity, such as dip with cylinder or photographs, is charged separately. The tour lasts two hours and departure times vary according to the tide.
An important tip: if you want to enjoy the tour, it is essential to understand the operation of the tide board. In addition to going on time, depending on the height of the tide on the days of your trip going to the pools may not even be worth it. And they’ll hardly tell you that at the time of booking.
To learn more about this subject, see the text Table of the Tides: why you should not travel to the Northeast without consulting it.
Bugy ride along the coast of Maragogi
As in other parts of the northeast, it is possible to take a buggy ride along the coast of Maragogi. There are three main itineraries: the first passes by the north coast, taking tourists to seven beaches, including Peroba, which is on the border of Alagoas with Pernambuco. The tour has stops for bathing, of course.
The second option is on the southern coast and passes through six beaches. The last script involves the Sanctuary of the Good Fish. The tours cost, on average, R $ 400, but the price is for buggy, which can take up to four people. It is a good way to get to know the beaches of the region.
Manatee sanctuary in Porto de Pedras
I did not do this tour, but I found it an interesting option. As many of our readers know, 360meridians have both feet behind when it comes in tourist attractions involving animals. However, there are cases that deserve the support of the traveler.
From what I read, this seems to be the case of the Sanctuary of the Boifish, which helps in the preservation of the most threatened marine mammal in Brazil. The project returns to the nature, little and with planning, manatee puppies born in captivity.
The walks are observation: you enter a raft (motorized boats are prohibited, precisely to protect the manatee) and you may or may not see the animals, which are loose in the wild. All visitation is controlled by Ibama and obeys strict environmental protection rules.
The income is with the local community. It is also worth knowing the website of the Association of Boi-Boyfish, which teaches you how you can do your part to help protect this species.
The sanctuary is not in Maragogi, but in Porto de Pedras, about 50 km. The tour costs from R$ 100 per person – if you are a buggy. Entrance to the sanctuary is not included in the price paid to the driver.
Read also:
5 travel itineraries through the beaches of the northeast, from backpack to comfort
Where to stay in Maragogi – hotel and inns tips
Things to do in Maceió, Alagoas: itineraries from 4 to 7 days
Where to stay in Maceió? Best hotels and beaches
What to do in Carneiros Beach: walks and how to get there
Things to do in Porto de Galinhas: the best tours in the region
What to do in Recife in 2 or 3 days: Top attractions
Where to stay in Recife: Boa Viagem, Centro or Olinda?
Things to Do in Maragogi: The Beaches
Praia Central de Maragogi – The main beach. Around it is the village, with several inns and restaurants. It is the fullest, but also beautiful.
Ponta de Mangue: One of the most famous in the city. It is on the north coast and has crystal clear waters and reefs that form natural pools during low tide. It has empty stretches with little structure.
Barra Grande: As the name implies, it is an extensive strip of sand with calm waters. In general, it has calm waters, which makes it a good option for families. There are the pools of Barra Grande, with boats that take you there and leave the sand of the beach. At low tide it is possible to access the pools walking along the sandbank, but attention not to be surprised by the flood.
Antunes: Beautiful! Beach with golden sands, coconut trees and natural pools during low tide. For me, the most beautiful and pleasant of Maragogi.
Peroba: With a fishing village, it is a charming and less busy beach. Another good option for those who go with children.
Xaréu: More secluded beach, eight kilometers from the center. It has weak waves and does not usually have food options.
Burgalhau: Few waves and also isolated, with some waterfront kiosks.
Golden: Small and untoury beach, more frequented by residents.
São Bento: Located about 7 km from the center of Maragogi, it offers a quieter atmosphere and with some restaurants. There are ruins of a church and a monastery. This is also the address of another very busy tour: to walk through the natural pools in a motor raft. The experience costs R$ 110 and can be booked here.
What is the most famous beach in Maragogi?
The most famous are the Central, which named Maragogi, and also Ponta de Mangue and Barra Grande.
For me, the most beautiful and nice beach of Maragogi is Antunes.
Antunes Beach, in Maragogi
What to do in Maragogi besides the beach?
As you can see, almost all activities involve water – it can be a boat ride, diving, seeing manatee fish or relaxing in the sand. But there are some options for those who want a sea rest:
- Mirance of Maragogi – You will not be at sea, but it will make up the visual. The Mirante do Cruzeiro, in Maragogi, is one of the highest points in the city. There are also the traditional tourist signs, such as I 2S Maragogi. The viewpoint is located at Pousada Alto do Cruzeiro, which charges entrance to non-guess.
- Ruins of St. Benedict’s Church – It’s not every day that you can visit a church from 1634. They are located in the village of São Bento, 7 km from the city center. The stop there is usually included in the buggy rides.
- Viewer Trail – A trail in the middle of the woods that leads to a tree of almost five hundred years. It lasts two hours. It is in the community of Água Fria, in the countryside and where you can hire a local guide who will tell some legends of the region.
- At the beginning of the trail of the Visiongueiro is the Association of Women of Fiber, which makes accessories and decoration with the fiber of the banana. It is worth taking a leap on Instagram to know the products.
Travel in Maragogi: resort or inn?
If the beauty of the area is uncontestable, the style of travel could be different. Maragogi eventually developed as a kind of Brazilian Cancun.
It is land of great resorts, but few charming and cute restaurants; it is a beach sought by the all inclusive, but without a friendly and touristy village for you to walk.
It is important to say that in recent years another type of tourism has begun to develop in Maragogi, but the city is far from offering the type of structure of destinations such as Pipa, in Rio Grande do Norte, Porto de Galinhas, in Pernambuco, and Jericoacoara, in Ceará.
I was in Maragogi a few times. I have always been in a few lands, which is the type of lodging that suits me the most.
Worth a resort in Maragogi if:
- You want to rest and not worry about making any decisions. Just the combo beach and umbrella. In this case, you will make all meals at the resort and, if you want, you do not even have to leave. Just go on the beach straight ahead.
- For those who are traveling with small children and want to take advantage of the resort structure to rest.
- For those who found an interesting promotion at the all inclusive (can happen).
It is better to stay in a bed in Maragogi if:
- You want to save money.
- I wanted to meet other restaurants, beaches and not stay all day in the same place.
- I wanted to stay on more beautiful and secluded beaches, without so many people around.
- Finally, keep in mind that choosing a local land makes money circulate more around the city – and helps to stimulate another type of tourism in Maragogi.
Hotels and hostels in Maragogi
- Salinas Maragogi ($$$), famous resort throughout Brazil. This all-inclusive five-star has two swimming pools, three restaurants and is facing a beach south of the village.
- Next to the Salinas is the Camurim Grande ($$$), a hotel foot on the sand with great structure and highly praised by guests. I didn’t stay there, but I went to their restaurant, which is great.
- The Gran Oca ($$$), the other resort in the area and close to Ponta de Mangue Beach, on the north coast.
- In the beautiful Antunes Beach I stayed at the Village Miramar ($$), which is in front of the beach. They are completely assembled and away from each other. Great cost / benefit!
- Next to it are other similar sets, such as Maragogi Chalé Antunes ($$), and one of the best inns in Maragogi, Anttunina ($$), which is wonderful.
back options from Maragogi
Maragogi is close to several interesting places and can be used as a base to get to know other beautiful beaches in the northeast.
But remember that the departures, offered by agencies, vary according to the day of the week, so plan ahead so that you do not miss the desired tour.
- Praia dos Carneiros – Appointed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, Praia dos Carneiros, in Tamandaré, in the State of Pernambuco, is about 50 km from Maragogi. An eight-hour tour, leaving and returning to your hotel in Maragogi, costs R $ 80. Details here.
- Port of Galinhas – Another beach in Pernambuco, this one in the municipality of Ipojuca. But Porto de Galinhas is much more famous and has been pointed out several times as the best beach in Brazil. Porto de Galinhas is 100 km from Maragogi – for me, it is too far away for a back and the best thing would be to spend the night there. But you can do it. An eight-hour tour, leaving and returning to your hotel in Maragogi, costs R$ 90. Reservations here.
- São Miguel dos Milagres – Also nicknamed paradise, São Miguel dos Milagres is 70 km from Maragogi. It is usually included in the tour of the Sanctuary of Peixe-Boi, since it is south of Maragogi (the beaches mentioned above are in the north direction). You can hire a tour there, with trip and return to your hotel, for about R $ 80, in this link. Another option, for those who come from Maceió, is to stop in São Miguel dos Milagres and then travel to Maragogi.
- Japaratinga – With seven thousand inhabitants, relatively empty beaches and less than 15 kilometers from Maragogi, Japaratinga is the perfect turnaround. The sea continues in the same surreal color that makes the Alagoas coast as the most beautiful in Brazil. There, one option is to take a boat trip to the natural pools of Japaratinga. It costs R$ 112 and you can book online.
It is also possible to go back tours to Maceió, Recife and Olinda. But frankly, I don’t think they are interesting options, since these destinations take longer than just a day trip.
In this case, the best option is to set up a route that includes all cities: you can start with Maceió, go to Maragogi (with stop in São Miguel dos Milagres or Japaratinga) and then continue by Praia dos Carneiros, Porto de Galinhas and Recife.
If you want to know more about these beaches, play in the video below, which shows some of the wonders of the region.
When to go to Maragogi
The best season is from October to January, when it hardly rains. In February the weather begins to change, but the rainy season runs from March to August, and June and July are the two months wettest.
If the weather in December and January is perfect, prices rise. November, on the other hand, has the ideal conditions: little rain, empty city and more affordable prices.
Where is Maragogi
The question sounds silly, but it is the doubt of many people – there is no shortage of people who think that Maragogi is an island or that, because of the tone of water, nor in Brazil stay. The city is in Alagoas.
How many days to stay in Maragogi
Stay at least three days, so you can relax. Anyone who wants to stay longer thinks what to do around the city.
On the other hand, travelers on a larger itinerary to the northeast can choose to stay only one or two days. It’s not ideal, but you can take advantage of it.
How to get to Maragogi
Maragogi is right there, near Maceió and Recife: the distance to the two capitals is basically the same. It is 127 km to the capital of Alagoas, while Recife is 138 kilometers from the beaches of Maragogi.
That is, to get to Maragogi, it is worth going down at the Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport, in Maceió, or at Recife International Airport – whatever.
Once your arrival airport is chosen, you need to choose how you will travel the two hours to Maragogi. There are a few options.
How to get to Maragogi from Maceió
I came by Maceió. As the travel time was short – only three days – I chose not to stay in the capital of Alagoas and to go straight to Maragogi, as soon as I arrived at the airport.
How to get to Maragogi by bus from Maceió
This is the most economical way to get to Maragogi. The company that makes the route is Real Alagoas. You need to take the bus that connects Maceió to Recife (and which passes through Maragogi). The bus leaves from the Maceió Bus Terminal, at 4:15 am and 11am. The trip lasts 2h30 and costs R $ 35.
I took a taxi to the Maceió Bus Station and bought my ticket. It’s a regular bus. But once it gets on the road, the bus stops at several points along the way. This means that many people travel standing in the bus corridor.
Although the traveler who boarded the bus station has a place of place, this can be a little uncomfortable. Another important thing: the bus does not stop inside Maragogi, but on the highway in front of the city. Stay tuned not to waste the right time to go down.
To return, you will need to go to the same point, about the time expected for the bus to pass – 6h45 and 13h30. The problem is that the bus may be full and you may have to travel standing.
To solve this problem, I went by bus and returned to Maceió by taxi.
How to get to Maragogi by taxi
You arrive at the airport and take a taxi. Okay, 1h30 later you’ll be there. If this is the simplest method, it is also the most expensive: the race costs from R $ 300, depending on your trading power, which can be small if you have just arrived at the airport and have no other way to get to Maragogi. One solution is to look for people who are interested in dividing the taxi.
The return is much simpler. In the central square of Maragogi, near the Church, there is a taxi stand. Vehicles leave for Maceió all day in the shared running system. I paid $50 to go to the airport, along with three other travelers.
How to get to Maragogi by car
Another option is to rent a car. The path is by highways AL-105 and AL-101. You take the AL-101 at the exit of Maceió and follow through it over 50 km, to Barra de Santo Antônio. Then, he enters the interior of the state returning to the coast already near Maragogi.
How to get to Maragogi de transfer
Several companies offer the transfer, which costs around R $ 400 for up to four people.
How to get to Maragogi from Recife
How to get to Maragogi by bus from Recife
The company and even the line is the same. It is Real Alagoas, which operates the stretch Maceió – Recife (which passes through Maragogi). The departure times are also identical: at 4:15 am and at 11 a.m., from the Recife Bus Terminal, on a route of about 2:30 a.m. The ticket costs $ 35.
How to get to Maragogi by taxi from Recife
As the distance is practically the same, expect to pay a similar amount to go by taxi from Recife to Maragogi: between R$ 250 and R$ 300. On the way back, you can try to combine the price of the ride and find out who wanted to share the taxi with you, at the central taxi stand of Maragogi.
How to get to Maragogi by car from Recife
From Recife, prepare to travel 135 km on the PE-060. According to Google Maps, the trip lasts 2h16, but it is possible to do in less time.
How to get to Maragogi de transfer from Recife
The same companies also offer receptive from Recife Airport. The price also does not vary: R$ 400 for up to four people.
Another option is to hire a back tour from Recife – you can come back on the same day or stay in Maragogi and not take the van on the return. It costs from R$ 130.
Do I need to rent a car to travel to Maragogi?
If you plan to go to a single beach and stay there, relaxing in the sand, then you do not need to rent a car to enjoy Maragogi. You can go by bus, transfer or even by taxi. I have already hired the service of Roberto (082 991419500, service by Whatsapp).
On the other hand, those who want to circulate through the beaches of Maragogi, know destinations in the surroundings or even set up a larger travel itinerary through the northeast will realize that renting a car is a good idea.
On this, be sure to read our guide on how to book a car over the internet, guaranteeing the best price.
Will you follow the northeast?
5 hotels in Recife
- Apraiana Hostel – economic option and well rated backpacker. Also private rooms
- Hotel Enseada Boa Viagem – is 600 meters from the beach, has good rating and cost/benefit
- Grand Mercure Recife – It faces the sea, has large rooms and swimming pool. And, the best, the daily rates are still at an interesting price
- Fity Hotel – Hotel of these classicons, with hotel face, but with a good breakfast and comfortable rooms
- Hy Beach Flats – 4 stars with sea view and pool
- Pirates of the Beach – Hostel three minutes from the beach, only shared rooms
Accommodation in Maceió
Accommodation in Carneiros Beach
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