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Abundant sunlight filters all year
round through the seaside coconut
palms, bathing one of the most enchanting
landscapes in Northeast Brazil. Peaceful
and easy to get to, it is an oasis
of unspoiled nature, dotted with places
of architectural interest that bear
witness to five hundred years of eventful
history. The historical and cultural
tours are not to be missed. 
The State Capital, Maceió,
is well-known for its beautiful
beaches, such as Jatiúca,
Ponta Verde and Pajuçara,
but the seaside bars and restored
historical district of Jaraguá
also provide for a lively night-life,
with live music. There are plenty
of hotels, hostels, and restaurants.
On the northern coast, Maragogi
beach, known for its sand banks
that form pleasant natural swimming
pools, enchants visitors with its
calm waters, fine sands and exquisite
views.
In the extreme south, 185 km from
the capital, near the São
Francisco River, which divides the
States of Alagoas and Sergipe, lies
the historical city of Penedo. The
city has an impressive historical
and cultural heritage, with its
17th and 18th century churches,
convents, and mansions. Visiting
Penedo is like taking a journey
back in time to the Brazil of the
Colonial Period.
But Alagoas is more than just sun,
sea and history. Its local cuisine—which
makes use of fish, prawns and other
seafood, including the sururu —
which is caught in the lakes that
surround the capital city, Maceió
— is one of the most exciting
in the Northeast. It is also famous
for its handicrafts, especially
lace, and for its folklore, which
can be enjoyed at various events,
such as the reisado, the guerreiro,
the chegança and the quilombo.
The latter commemorates one of the
most striking chapters in the history
of the slaves’ struggle for
freedom, when, under the leadership
of the legendary Zumbi, runaway
slaves set up numerous settlements
known as quilombos, and actually
founded their own Republic of Palmares,
which was finally wiped out towards
the end of the 17th century.
General Information about
the City
. Population: 800,000.
. Area: 512.8 km².
. Population density: 1,533.32 inhabitants/km².
. Location: Northeast Brazil, in
the eastern part of the State of
Alagoas.
. Altitude: 16 m.
. Address of City Hall: Rua Boa
Vista, 425/433 – Centro –
CEP: 57020-110. Fone: (82) 326-5262
– Fax: (82) 221-7083.
Access and Distances from
Major Cities
Highway BR-101 is the main
access road to Maceió. It
is 1,908 km from Brasília,
2,504 km from São Paulo,
2,180 km from Rio de Janeiro, 617
km from Salvador, 296 km from Aracaju,
and 245 km from Recife.
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