# Things to do in Maceió: beaches, natural pools and day trips

> Things to do in Maceió: Maragogi catamaran for €30 (4.4/5), Gunga Beach from €8, São Miguel dos Milagres and more. Real prices and a 4-day itinerary.

Updated: 2026-11-13 · https://toursbrasil.com/things-to-do-in-maceio/ · Tours Brasil

Looking for the best **things to do in Maceió**? Head for the water: the [Maragogi natural pools catamaran with transport](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=maragogi#todas) (€30, 4.4/5 from 32 reviews), a [São Miguel dos Milagres day trip](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=milagres#todas) (€14, 4.7/5), [Gunga Beach by van with a guide](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=gunga#todas) (€12, 4.8/5) and a [city tour with Praia do Francês](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=frances#todas) (€32). The catalogue lists 42 activities in and around Maceió, from €6, with a median price of €32 per person.

Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.

Maceió, the capital of Alagoas, is one of the cheapest bases on Brazil's northeast coast. Maragogi and São Miguel dos Milagres lie to the north, Gunga, Francês and the mouth of the São Francisco River to the south, and at low tide the city's own Pajuçara reef turns into natural pools. Every price and rating below comes from the Tours Brasil catalogue of [things to do in Maceió and Maragogi](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/).

## The 10 best things to do in Maceió

- **Maragogi natural pools catamaran with transport** — €30, 4.4/5 from 32 reviews, 9.5–10 hours with hotel pickup. The most reviewed activity in Maceió and the cheapest way to see the so-called Brazilian Caribbean.
- **São Miguel dos Milagres day trip** — €14, 4.7/5 from 12 reviews, 10 hours with pickup. Quiet beaches and fishing villages along the Milagres Ecological Route.
- **Gunga Beach by van with a guide** — €12, 4.8/5 from 10 reviews, 9 hours with pickup. Palm groves, coloured cliffs and views across to Barra de São Miguel.
- **Maceió city tour and Praia do Francês** — €32, 3.5/5 from 14 reviews, 9 hours with pickup. City viewpoints plus the south coast's liveliest beach.
- **Paripueira Beach day trip** — €32, 3.9/5 from 11 reviews, 7 hours. Calm water and reef pools north of the city.
- **9 Islands sunset tour on the Mundaú lagoon** — €20, 5.0/5 from 2 reviews, 7.5 hours with pickup.
- **Gunga with a stop at Barra de São Miguel** — €8, 5.0/5 from 2 reviews, 8 hours with pickup. The budget way to reach Gunga.
- **Ipioca and Hibiscus Beach Club with transport** — €6, 4.5/5 from 2 reviews, 8 hours. The cheapest activity in the Maceió catalogue.
- **Private beach trio: Francês, Barra de São Miguel and Gunga** — €85 per group, 5.0/5 from 5 reviews, 8.5 hours.
- **São Francisco River mouth boat trip with lunch** — €14, 10 hours with pickup. No reviews yet, but a rare chance to see where the river meets the Atlantic.

## Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup

The eight most useful trips for a first visit. Pickup is included in 18 of the 42 Maceió activities, so check that column if you do not want to arrange transport.

| Activity | From | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Spanish guide | Pickup | 
| Maragogi catamaran with transport | €30 | 4.4/5 | 32 | 9,5-10 h | No | Yes | 
| São Miguel dos Milagres | €14 | 4.7/5 | 12 | 10 h | No | Yes | 
| Gunga Beach by van | €12 | 4.8/5 | 10 | 9 h | No | Yes | 
| City tour and Praia do Francês | €32 | 3.5/5 | 14 | 9 h | Yes | Yes | 
| Paripueira Beach | €32 | 3.9/5 | 11 | 7 h | Yes | No | 
| 9 Islands tour (Mundaú lagoon) | €20 | 5/5 | 2 | 7,5 h | No | Yes | 
| Gunga and Barra de São Miguel | €8 | 5/5 | 2 | 8 h | No | Yes | 
| Ipioca and Hibiscus Beach Club | €6 | 4.5/5 | 2 | 8 h | No | Yes | Catalogue data as of November 9, 2026

## What to choose

### Only one day

Go to Maragogi. The [catamaran with transport](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=maragogi#todas) costs €30 with pickup and has the most reviews in town. If the tide is wrong for the pools, swap to [Gunga](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=gunga#todas) (€12). Our guide to the [Maragogi natural pools](https://toursbrasil.com/maragogi-natural-pools/) explains the tides and boat options.

### Quiet beaches

[São Miguel dos Milagres](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=milagres#todas) (€14, 4.7/5) is the least developed stretch of coast. For an easy day close to town, try [Ipioca with a beach club](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=ipioca#todas) (from €6) or [Paripueira](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=paripueira#todas) (€32).

### Families and groups

Private tours are priced per group. The [Francês, Barra de São Miguel and Gunga trio](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=gunga#todas) is €85 per group and a private [Ipioca tour](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=ipioca#todas) €71, so for four people the cost per head gets close to a shared trip.

### Beyond the beach

Consider the [São Francisco River mouth](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=francisco#todas) (€14 with lunch), a cultural trip to the colonial river town of [Penedo](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=penedo#todas) (€68) or the [Serra da Barriga](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=barriga#todas), site of the Quilombo dos Palmares (€73, 8 hours).

## 4-day Maceió itinerary

**Day 1:** Pajuçara Beach and, at low tide, its natural pools; in the afternoon the [9 Islands sunset tour](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=islas#todas) (€20). Activities: €20.

**Day 2:** the [Maragogi catamaran](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=maragogi#todas) (€30, pickup included). Activities: €30.

**Day 3:** [Gunga Beach by van](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=gunga#todas) (€12), or €8 for the version with a Barra de São Miguel stop. Activities: €12.

**Day 4:** [São Miguel dos Milagres](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=milagres#todas) (€14, 10 hours). Activities: €14.

That is €76 per person in activities for four full beach days, one of the best-value combinations anywhere in Brazil.

## How much do activities in Maceió cost?

- **Shared beach trips with transport** (Ipioca, Gunga, Francês, São Miguel dos Milagres): €6–14 per person.
- **Mundaú lagoon 9 Islands tour**: €20.
- **Maragogi**: from €30; other versions cost €46, €51, €56 and €118.
- **City tour with Praia do Francês, or Paripueira**: €32 each.
- **Private tours**: €71–192 per group on the coast, €204–535 per group in Maragogi.

The median activity costs €32, among the lowest in Brazil. Note that many cheap trips cover transport only: the boat to the pools, sunbeds and beach-club food are usually paid on the spot.

## Plan your trip

**Getting there:** Zumbi dos Palmares airport is about 20–25 km from the city beaches; Recife is roughly 250 km away by road, so the two pair well. **Getting around:** the seafront links Pajuçara, Ponta Verde and Jatiúca; taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the rest, and tours with pickup are the easiest way to reach Maragogi (about two hours north) or Gunga (under an hour south).

**When to go:** September to March is drier, with clearer water for the pools; April to July is the rainiest stretch. **Where to stay:** Ponta Verde for a first visit, Pajuçara for the urban reef pools and tour departures, Jatiúca for a quieter base.

## Practical tips

- The natural pools are only at their best at low tide, and departure times follow the tide table; confirm your pickup time the day before.
- Boat trips are cancelled in rough seas; most bookings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes, and never stand on the coral.
- Beach clubs often charge a minimum spend or sunbed fee; carry cash and a card.
- Heading on to Pernambuco? See our guide to the [Porto de Galinhas natural pools](https://toursbrasil.com/porto-de-galinhas-natural-pools/).
- 21 of the 42 activities list a Spanish-speaking guide; English options are shown on each activity page.

## FAQ

### How many days do you need in Maceió?

Three days cover Maragogi, Gunga and the city. Four or five let you add São Miguel dos Milagres and the São Francisco River; four days of activities cost about €76 per person.

### What is the top-rated tour in Maceió?

Among trips with at least 10 reviews, Gunga Beach by van (4.8/5 from 10 reviews) and São Miguel dos Milagres (4.7/5 from 12). The Maragogi catamaran has the most reviews, with 32.

### How do I get from Maceió to Maragogi?

Book the [catamaran trip with transport](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=maragogi#todas) for €30 with hotel pickup. The drive takes about two hours each way.

### Which beach near Maceió should I choose?

Gunga for scenery, Francês for atmosphere, Ipioca for a beach club and São Miguel dos Milagres for peace and quiet. Shared trips to each cost €6–14.

### When is the best time to visit Maceió?

September to March, when rain is lower and the pools are clearest.

### Do I need a visa for Brazil?

Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.

## Related searches

- [things to do in Maceió](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/)
- [Maragogi natural pools](https://toursbrasil.com/maragogi-natural-pools/)
- [Maragogi day trip from Maceió](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=maragogi#todas)
- [Gunga Beach tour](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=gunga#todas)
- [São Miguel dos Milagres](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=milagres#todas)
- [Praia do Francês](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=frances#todas)
- [Ipioca beach club](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=ipioca#todas)
- [São Francisco River mouth](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/maceio/?q=francisco#todas)
- [Porto de Galinhas natural pools](https://toursbrasil.com/porto-de-galinhas-natural-pools/)
- [things to do in Brazil](https://toursbrasil.com/en/activities/)

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