Last stop on our road trip: Maceió, the capital of Alagoas.
Before reaching our destination, we decided to take a quick detour to check out two beaches worth the visit: Praia do Carro Quebrado and Praia de Ipioca.
Praia do Carro Quebrado
Tucked at the base of bright orange cliffs, this beach is untouched, wild, and has no infrastructure. It’s easy to see why it’s so fascinating—it’s the kind of place where you feel completely cut off from the world. Its intriguing name, “The Beach of the Broken Car,” comes from an abandoned car that an artist had once placed there, though it’s since been removed. We expected the access to be tricky based on what I’d read online, but surprise: just a quick 3-minute walk from a (paid, of course) parking lot led us straight to this gem. The view was worth every real.
Praia de Ipioca
A change of vibe: Ipioca is known as one of the most beautiful beaches near Maceió, but it’s much more touristy and exclusive compared to Carro Quebrado. Public access points are rare, but that doesn’t take away its charm. Lined with coconut trees, it reminded us a bit of the beaches in Maragogi.
Welcome to Maceió
When we arrived in Maceió, one thought struck me: this city feels way more welcoming than Recife. The skyscrapers are less overwhelming, and the city feels more open. That said, traffic is still a total mess—classic big-city Brazil. But it’s that Nordeste kind of chaos, meaning it’s not too fast or aggressive; everything feels more laid-back compared to, say, the way people drive in Marseille.
Here, they’ve got a slogan: “Maceió é massa” (Maceió is awesome), and honestly, it’s not much of an exaggeration—it really is a cool place.
We settled down in Ponta Verde, a quiet, modern, and tourist-friendly neighborhood. From our apartment, we had a stunning view of the sea and the natural pools. Once again, we lucked out with a perfect location, just a short walk to the seafront promenade. It was all lit up for the holidays, and for the first time on this trip, it hit me—Christmas is coming. Even under the tropical sun, the festive vibes were sneaking in. Christmas in the heat is definitely unusual but has its own charm.
Ponta Verde beach was nice, but it was packed with street vendors. You couldn’t get through a chapter of a book without being interrupted. After a while, it got on my nerves, though I have to admire their hustle, trekking up and down the beach under that blazing sun. Still, I would’ve appreciated a little more peace while relaxing on the sand. On the bright side, renting a parasol and chairs was super cheap, especially in the morning. That’s a big plus—nobody’s lying on just a towel here. Brazilians do the beach in comfort: parasol, chairs, and enough gear to settle in for the whole day.
What struck me the most was how close the city is to the ocean. You can cross the street, jump into the water, take a kayak ride, and let the sound of the waves drown out the noise of traffic. It’s such a unique experience in a big city like this. It made me want to visit Rio—it must be something similar but on a whole other level.
Maceió: Contrasts and Encounters
After days spent exploring small towns and villages, we decided to go out one night and soak up the city vibes. We found a cool bar with live music. What I loved? People just dancing spontaneously by their tables. Of course, we stood out among the locals, and a couple came over, convinced we were foreigners (not totally wrong). We ended up spending the evening with them—a warm, unexpected moment, just the kind I love.
But Maceió isn’t all about fancy neighborhoods and pretty beaches. It’s a big city, and that comes with its share of inequality. The historic center is marked by poverty—a stark contrast to the more modern areas. We went to see the Praça dos Martírios, but the overall vibe didn’t really invite us to wander around. So, we just stopped by the artisan market and headed back.
Must-See Spots Around Maceió
From Maceió, there are plenty of day trip options. We chose to visit Praia do Gunga and Praia do Francês, two must-sees.
Praia do Gunga
Praia do Gunga was another highlight. Imagine a version of Carro Quebrado but with rougher waves and cliffs just as breathtaking. Even under cloudy skies, we made the most of a break in the rain to explore on a quad. It was exciting and uncomfortable all at once: two people crammed on a single-seater quad, a helmet that didn’t fit, sliding around in the sand… It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. But the views were absolutely worth it.
Praia do Francês
As for Praia do Francês, it’s very popular, but in the rain, it lost some of its magic. Maybe next time, with better weather?
Wrapping Up the Nordeste
And just like that, fifteen days in Brazil’s Nordeste came to an end. Fifteen days of stunning landscapes, new discoveries, wonderful encounters, and unforgettable moments. A huge thank you to everyone who made this trip possible. These memories will stay with me forever.
Next stop: Rio de Janeiro, stay tunned!
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