Macéio is the capital of Alagoas State (Alagoas means many lagoons), and was primarily colonized by the Portuguese, and Hollanders. With a population of 896.965 (2007). Alagoas is the second smallest state of Brazil located in the Nordeste (northeast). The economy is basically sugar cane plantations and alcohol distillation (ethanol). Because of the extensive use of slaves in the early days of cane production it's not unusual to find dark skinned girls with beautiful light blue and green eyes.
Our trip started in Rio de Janeiro, with myself, my Brazilian girl friend, and my long time traveling/mongering buddy. We left Rio from the international Airport GIG, on Tam airlines (Varig and Gol airlines also fly direct or with one stopover). Our flight stopped at Aracajú Sergipe, for half an hour (we did not deplane) and the total flight took around 4 hrs. Each ticket cost approx. R$ 800, 00 ($400.00us) but if you can book in advance there is a good chance to buy it with a discount.
At the airport it's very easy to find a taxi, it cost us approx. R50.00 ($25.00us) to get into the town area. Your first impression of the town may not the best because you pass thru the poor areas before you get to the tourist areas (not unlike many other cities' including Rio).
We had reserved an apartment thru the Web Site http://www.aluguetemporada.com.br with D. Evelyn mina_evelyn@hotmail.com. Most of the apartments are owned by Europeans that rent them out when they are not around. The apartment cost R$460,00 ($230us dollars) per day including maid service, which we never saw in spite of daily calls and complaints (paid way to fucking much for what we got). But she (my GF) had rented this sight unseen as a surprise/present for me so I couldn't say much. The apartment had 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms, the building had 24 hour security and was across the street from the beach. When we arrived the lady was still cleaning, and as we discovered later the appliances were old and unsuitable for cooking, the bed linens were also old and the apartment just looked dirty. But at the time we decided to stay because we were tired, and it was already dark, and we had paid the 75% deposit and that wasn't going to be refunded if we did not stay.
We stayed at Jatiuca Beach, it has lots of restaurants, but it's the worst one to stay at (imo). But it is there that you will find the most famous bar to meet girls "The Lampião",
Lampião
Av.Alvaro Otacilio, s/n - Jatiuca
Maceió - Alagoas - Brasil - Cep: 57036-850
Tel: (82) 3325-4376
You will not need reservations. It opens at 7pm and closed at 4am. Around 10 pm the girls will start to arrive, I will give you 7 + for most of them, you will need to be very careful as there are a lot of under age girls (always ask for the ID) and the police are very alert to gringos with young girls. The girls have to stay outside the restaurant (it's open air similar to Terrazzo Atlantica in Rio), if you invite one she will come and sit with you. It will cost you around R$100.00 to R$150.00 ($50.00us to 75.00) plus taxi for them to go home, don't give more then R$25.00 ($12.50) for the taxi. And don't expect to find many english speaking girls.
Cocktail Club
Av. Com Gustavo Paiva, 999 Macéio Al Cep 57031-530
Tel. (82) 33255743
It's small, and dark, with a small dance floor, there were around 6 girls (we got there just as they opened probably more showed up later) 3 of them 7+, the other ones could not even make a grade. The rooms "are nasty" (my girlfriend's words lol) she went to check them out with my buddy before he would pick a girl (he didn't and we left). If you do choose a girl (and they are allowed to leave with you), just across the street is a Love Motel where you pay by the hour. The entry fee to the club was R$50.00 ($25,00) drinks started at R$10.00 ($5.00) I/we can't remember what the price of the girls were. You will need a taxi to get there and it will cost you around R$25.00 ($12.50). Better to ask the driver to wait or come in with you. It's very hard to find a taxi to go back to town and ours only asked for R10 to stay with us. Our taxi driver told us there was another club, but he would not recommend us go there.
We hired a van with a driver to take as to many different beaches, both north and to the south of Maceio.
http://www.maceioturismo.com.br (82) 9974-2335 (Sr. Ulysses) at the web site you will find all the trips you can do. The van was clean and new and the driver very polite and always on time. Sorry I don't remember what we paid but it was reasonable.
North Beaches
Praia do Sonho, ( Dream Beach) located around 2 hours from Maceio, White sand , clean water, the infrastructure is not the best but you will find cold beer, and nice seafood restaurants.
Praia do Carro Quebrado (Broken Car Beach) located around 2 ½ hours from Maceio. White sand beaches, clear water, with a barrier of coral reefs. The water in summer time (December/January/February) keeps the temperatures around 27C to 30C. But September was around 20C, and the wind did not stop. And the water wasn't as clear as my girl friend said it will be. But I think we just hit it at a bad time.
South Beaches
Praia do Frances (French Beach), it's the famous beach outside Maceio, full of Europeans, Italians, and German's looking for under age girls. The beach is noisy and dirty. Prices are higher than they are in Maceio.
Praia do Gunga (Gunga Beach), One of the 10th most beautiful beaches in Brazil by Travel Magazine Terra. It's located between a lagoon and the Ocean. Again the wind was terrible. Never go in September…lol.
Try to stay at or near Pajuçara Beach. It has lots of very nice restaurants, bars, and hotels (for all budgets). The Ocean is calm and has a stunningly beautiful shade of blue that just beckons you to dive in.
If you cannot stay at the Pajuçara Beach, the second best option is Ponta Verde Beach.
Ponta Verde Beach is where you will find the coral reefs, and the jangadas (flat bottom boat). The jangadas will take you about 1500 meters off the beach.
When the tide is low, the jangadas will take you to a plateau/reef, where the water is only 3 to 4 feet high. Normally they take between 2 to 4 people ($10.00 per person). While you are there at the plateau you can buy bier or a plate of fresh cooked shrimp. Take your snorkel with you. You will be pleasantly surprised finding natural swimming pools full of colorful fish.
- Enjoy yourself
- Be very careful and watch out for under age girls. Check the ID !!!!
- Go to Maceio but do not go in September. Go between December and March!
Good Luck
Ultra
