Maceio has an international airport, Zumbi dos Palmares Airport (MCZ), that receives flights from most major Brazilian cities and from a few international destinations. U.S. travelers headed directly to Maceio will likely need a connection through Rio or Sao Paulo first, which is common for reaching most Brazilian cities. For those traveling by bus, Maceio sits along the BR-104, AL-101 and BR-101 highways, making the capital an easy destination to reach by ground transportation.
Lonely Planet's "South America on a Shoestring" recommends staying in hotels or pousadas near the beaches of Pajucara and Ponta Verde, while more upscale hotels are situated near the beaches of Jatiuca and Lagoa da Anta. Beachside accommodations tend to be more comfortable and safer than those in the city center, and security is a concern. As noted by "The Economist" in 2011, Maceio is the most violent state capital in Brazil, and Alagoas is the most violent state.
Heading north, Maceio essentially begins the "Costa dos Corais," or Coral Coast. Each day, fishermen wait by their jangadas on Pajucara Beach to take passengers to natural tidal pools, which appear about a mile offshore during low tide. For those more interested in leisure, Maceio has 13 miles of urban beaches, and many are perfect for relaxing. As you head inland, the city showcases colonial and Portuguese-style architecture, including a number of old churches. Travelers can also take the Nove Ilhas (Nine Islands) tour of the Mundau Lagoon, which departs from Pontal da Barra just to the south of Maceio.
While the city has fine tidal pools, more dramatic examples are found to the north. Maragogi is a small tourist town about 80 miles away, and boats take passengers to large tidal pools that beckon even the most picky snorkelers. Maragogi can be enjoyed on a day tour, but an overnight stay may be required for Porto de Galinhas, a romantic tourist town 50 miles farther north with giant reefs accessible from shore. Beach lovers looking to escape the urban setting have options just outside Maceio. To the south, Frances Beach is a weekend destination for locals, and coconut trees provide the perfect backdrop to Gunga Beach. To the north, sandy Sereia Beach is a local favorite best known for its mermaid sculpture, which overlooks its own tidal pools.
Maceio has its Carnaval during the traditional week in February or March. Salvador and Olinda host larger festivals in northeast Brazil, but the Maceio event is still massive, with partiers overtaking the city beaches. The capital city is particularly known for an off-season Carnaval celebration called Maceio Fest, which is mentioned in many tourism guides, but the city has not held the event in recent years, and it is uncertain when it will take place again. Another significant event is Fest Junina, which the Portuguese introduced to Brazil centuries ago. The event lasts approximately two weeks in June, and it includes costumes, dancing and partying.
