Brazil's North-East Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Maragogi
Boat out to the natural pools or relax on the white sands of Antunes beach
Maragogi, located in Alagoas, is famous for its crystal-clear waters, piscinas naturais (natural pools), and coral reefs, making it a top destination for snorkeling and diving. The area is part of the Costa dos Corais, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, and offers the opportunity to swim with a diverse variety of marine life. Maragogi is nearby popular beaches in like São Miguel dos Milagres and Antunes Beach.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Maragogi
Snorkel in the Galés de Maragogi: Visit the natural pools located about 6 kilometres offshore. Accessible by catamaran or speedboat during low tide, the pools have clear waters and coral reefs with tropical fish. Guided snorkelling tours are available with equipment provided.
Visit Praia de Antunes: This beach is known for its shallow turquoise water and white sand. It is suitable for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding. Access is via the AL-101 highway or by foot from nearby beaches.
Take a boat ride to Taocas: Join a local tour to the Taocas natural pools, which are closer to shore than the Galés. These pools are suitable for visitors who prefer shorter boat rides. They also offer good visibility for snorkelling.
Relax at Barra Grande Beach: This beach is located south of central Maragogi. It has calm water and features a sandbank pathway called the “Caminho de Moisés,” visible at low tide. Local vendors offer food and drinks along the shore.
Enjoy a buggy ride along the coast: Guided buggy tours run along the beaches between Maragogi and Japaratinga. Routes typically include stops at beaches such as Ponta de Mangue, Praia de Xaréu and Praia do Bugalhau. Tours are available for either the north or south coast.
Visit Praia de Burgalhau: Located just north of Maragogi town, this beach is less crowded and suitable for swimming. It has beachside restaurants that serve seafood and local dishes. Accessible by car or on foot from central Maragogi.
Explore Japaratinga: Located about 10 kilometres south of Maragogi, this municipality has beaches, cliffs and a small historical town centre. The Mirante de Japaratinga viewpoint offers views of the coastline. It can be reached by road or included in buggy tours.
Walk the Caminho de Moisés: At low tide, a sand pathway appears at Barra Grande Beach, allowing visitors to walk about 200 metres into the sea. The exact visibility of the pathway depends on tide charts and should be confirmed locally before visiting.
Visit the Maragogi River Estuary: Kayak or take a boat tour on the Maragogi River, which flows into the sea near the town. The estuary has mangroves and is home to bird species and other coastal wildlife. Tours are operated by local agencies.
Go stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking: Rental equipment is available at beaches such as Antunes and Ponta de Mangue. The calm, shallow waters are suitable for beginners. Some operators also offer guided tours along the reef line.
How long to spend in Maragogi
How long to spend in Maragogi depends on how many of the surrounding beaches you would like to explore. Maragogi itself is small and can be explored in one day, however, there are many surrounding beaches to visit that can be explored over a few days.
Where to stay in Maragogi
Maragogi is a small town, and most accommodation is concentrated along the main beach area near the town centre. This central area is walkable and generally considered safe, with access to restaurants, shops and tour operators. Other nearby beach areas with lodging options include Praia de Antunes, Barra Grande and São Bento, which are quieter and require transport to reach the town centre of Maragogi.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Maragogi, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels in Maragogi
Villa Pantai Boutique Hotel Maragogi - a luxury beachfront hotel (see prices)
Árvo Boutique Hotel - beachfront villas with an outdoor pool (see prices)
Pousadas (guesthouses)
Pousada Portal do Maragogi - beachfront guesthouse with a great breakfast (see prices)
Pousada Enero - casual beachfront guesthouse (see prices)
Ecohar Yoga (Vegetariano & Vegano) - beachfront pousada offering vegetarian meals (see prices)
Dona Maragô Pousada - budget-friendly boutique in a garden setting (see prices)
Backpacker Hostels in Maragogi
Maraga Beach Hostel - beachfront accommodation for backpackers (see prices)
Praia da Bruna in Maragogi
Where is Maragogi, Brazil
Quick Facts about Maragogi
Population of Maragogi
33,269 people (IBGE, 2025)
Nickname
People from Maragogi are called maragogienses, and people from Alagoas State in general are called alagoanos. Maragogi is nicknamed the Brazilian Caribbean.
Closest airports
Aeroporto Internacional Zumbi dos Palmares (MCZ)
Recife (REC)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Maragogi - local minivan transportation only
How to get to Maragogi
How to get to Maragogi by Bus or Carpooling
There are generally fewer direct bus connections in the Alagoas region, compared to other coastal regions in Brazil. The carpooling service Blabla Car is commonly used in this area and can make for a cheaper and faster trip compared to travelling by bus.
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Maragogi
How to get to Maragogi from Maceio
A minivan to Maragogi from Maceio departs from the Terminal Rodoviário de Maceió (map). You do not need to buy a ticket upon arrival at the terminal (you will pay the driver directly), but you do need to pay a small fee of around R$2 at the information desk in order to enter the bus terminal's departure area. Once inside the departures area, look for the minivan to Maragogi, and put your luggage in the back compartment. The fare will be collected by the driver after the minivan departs so make sure to take cash - small notes are always appreciated.
Private transfers are also available.
How to get to Maragogi from Recife
The easiest way to get to Maragogi from Recife is to take a private transfer. Minivans run from both Recife downtown and Recife Airport and some transfers offer hotel pick up and drop off.
Reaching Maragogi by bus is more difficult as there is not currently a direct bus (note: the Real Alagoas bus mentioned on some sites no longer runs via Maragogi).
The journey can be made cheaply if you are willing to make some transfers.
First take a local bus from Recife’s main bus terminal, Rodoviária TIP, to the city of Barreiros (2+ hours). This bus runs approximately once per hour (tickets).
Next, take a minivan from the bus station in Barreiros (Terminal Rodoviário de Barreiros - EPTI) (map) to São Jose da Coroa Grande (1 hour).
When you arrive in Sao Jose da Coroa Grande, change to a minivan to Maragogi (30 minutes).
The minivans from Barreiros to Sao Jose, and from Sao Jose to Maragogi, both run frequently.
BlablaCar is a good alternative to taking public transport for this route.
Top tours to Maragogi
How to get around Maragogi
Vans run regularly from Maragogi to other nearby beaches departing from Terminal Rodoviário de Maragogi, which is not so much a bus terminal as it is a line of vans parked on the road. Just say the name of the beach you want to go to, and the drivers will help point you to the correct van.
It costs R$3.5 (note: price may have increased in 2024) to reach Antunes Beach, one of the most iconic beaches in the area. The van also stops at Barra Grande, Ponta do Mangue, and others. To return, wait for the van where you got off and make sure to wave for it to stop.
Mototaxis are also readily available in Maragogi, you'll find them in front of the Bradesco Bank.
Things to know before you go to Maragogi
Maragogi beach itself is lined with tourist boats waiting to take people to the natural pools each day. The nicer beaches are located to the north of Maragogi, such as Antunes beach which has shallow, crystal clear waters, and hammocks in the ocean.
Is Maragogi safe for tourists
Maragogi is considered a safe destination for visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it is a very different experience compared to larger Brazilian cities. As with any trip, it is still sensible to follow a few simple precautions, but these are more about peace of mind than real risk.
A few tips to stay safe in Maragogi:
Keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, or ask someone to watch them if you go for a swim
Don't walk around with large amounts of cash, carry only the cash you need for the day or a credit card
At night, stick to the main streets or paths where other visitors and locals are walking
Ask your pousada or host if you are unsure about the best routes or areas to explore
Travel insurance for Maragogi
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into an expensive disaster. The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about costs.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios, from theft to delayed flights and medical emergencies. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
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