Discover Piaçabuçu: a paradise on the banks of the São Francisco River

Piaçabuçu, Alagoas is located on the left bank of the São Francisco River. Close to the mouth of the river, Piaçabuçu’s main attraction is the river.

A trip by boat or buggy to the point where the waters of the Velho Chico meet the sea is a must. The town is famous for its rich culture and traditions, which are reflected in the local festivals and cuisine.

The beach at Pontal do Peba, famous for its prawn fishing, is perfect for a relaxing stroll. It’s also a good place to see sea turtles during the nesting season.

Piaçabuçu is 138 kilometres from Maceió on the AL-101 and 26 kilometres from Penedo on a paved road in good condition.

Tourist attractions in Piaçabuçu

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Piaçabuçu em Alagoas03:23

Praia do Pontal do Peba Piaçabuçu em Alagoas07:32

Piaçabuçu - Rio São Francisco11:10

1. The mouth of the São Francisco River

There are several places where tourists can take a boat along the last 13 kilometres of the São Francisco River. Generally, these places are near the bars along the road to Piaçabuçu.

There is also the possibility of using the boatmen who stop at the quay in the town of Piaçabuçu. The programme lasts about two and a half hours (round trip) in a landscape of mangroves and dunes. Near the estuary, the boat stops and passengers can walk to the meeting of the waters, which is part of the Piaçabuçu APA.

The buggy is another viable means of transport: 21 kilometres in just under three hours along the beach at Pontal do Peba. You cross farms to a point near the dunes and then continue on foot to the estuary. If you’re brave enough, you can travel 3 to 5 kilometres in a parachute pulled by a buggy.

2. Pontal do Peba beach

23 kilometres long, of which only two are urbanised, Pontal do Peba beach is located 13 kilometres from the centre of Piaçabuçu.

With fine, beaten sand and dunes in the background, it is a spawning ground for sea turtles and one of the most important shrimp fishing centres in the northeast.

It is also good for spearfishing. A drawback is the heavy traffic on some stretches, as inns and restaurants share space with fishermen and holiday homes.

3. The bends of the São Francisco River

The source of the São Francisco River rises in the Serra da Canastra, in Minas Gerais, and heads northeast, crossing the arid lands of four states.

Its waters separate Bahia from Pernambuco and Sergipe from Alagoas, in a tortuous journey of around 3,000 kilometres before it flows into the sea.

The river bathes almost 500 municipalities, and since 1847 other towns have been asking for it to be diverted to alleviate water shortages in the interior, where rainfall is rare. The project has been suspended and resumed, always under intense controversy.

In Bahia, the Velho Chico quenches the thirst of the inhabitants of Bom Jesus da Lapa, Barra and Juazeiro, cities that fervently venerate the saint who baptised the river.

The mysticism that accompanies the river is also evident in the famous carrancas – monstrous images placed on the bows of boats to ward off evil spirits.

Brazil’s first hydroelectric power station was built on the São Francisco – Angiquinho in 1913. Today, the river is dammed at Sobradinho, Paulo Afonso, and later at Xingó, in the state of Alagoas.

In Petrolina, Pernambuco, it irrigates fruit plantations. Its great tourist potential, however, is only well exploited in Canindé do São Francisco, in Sergipe, and in the cities of Piranhas and Penedo, in Alagoas, near the point where its waters meet the Atlantic Ocean.

4. Adventure activities

As well as boat and buggy rides, visitors can explore trails, take part in kayak trips or even go birdwatching among the rich local fauna. The combination of nature and adventure makes Piaçabuçu an ideal destination for ecotourism lovers.

Travel Tips

The best time to visit Piaçabuçu is during the dry season, from June to September, when the weather is milder.

It is advisable to bring sunscreen, a hat, light clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Local transport is accessible and it is recommended to hire a car to explore the region more freely.

Tourist guide to the São Francisco River in Alagoas

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