Discover the Southern Coast of Alagoas: Biodiversity and Tourism

The southern coast of Alagoas is known as the Region of Southern Lagoons and Seas.

Nature has spared no effort in favouring this part of Alagoas. There are vast coconut groves, paradisiacal beaches, lagoons and rivers that meet the sea in a picture of pure magic.

In addition to the exuberance of nature, the history and culture of Lagoas e Mares do Sul are evident in its historical heritage, popular traditions, musicality, handicrafts and gastronomy, made with ingredients from the waters of this land so rich in variety.

Tourist Attractions and Cities of the South Coast of Alagoas

1. Pilar

42 kilometres from Maceió, the town of Pilar was founded in the 19th century as a sugar cane mill. In 1860 the town was visited by King Pedro II and there are still some examples of houses from this period of colonial Brazil.

Pilar’s main attraction is its natural beauty. Situated on the shores of the Manguaba Lagoon, the town is surrounded by remnants of the Atlantic Forest, several farms with ecological reserves and mineral springs.

Pilar em Alagoas

The population is around 36,000. Pilar is a festive city and its calendar of events includes the Bagre Festival, the Siri Festival, the Siri Festival and the Nossa Senhora do Pilar Patron Saint Festival, which attract many visitors.

2. Marechal Deodoro

Marechal Deodoro is located on the southern coast of Alagoas, 30 kilometres from Maceió. Its population is around 45,000. Marechal Deodoro was the first capital of Alagoas and its name is in honour of the illustrious son who proclaimed the Republic of Brazil.

The city has a beautiful architectural collection, found in the museum and in churches dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Marechal Deodoro has an enviable natural potential: the Manguaba Lagoon, between islands and channels that join the Mundaú Lagoon to form the largest lagoon complex in the country, with many islands, the most important of which is Santa Rita, the largest lake island in the country.

Praia do Francês in Marechal Deodoro is a picture postcard, with its magnificent structure of restaurants and inns welcoming visitors from all over the world.

The folklore and musicality are an attraction in themselves. The diverse handicrafts, renowned for their beauty and creativity, are exported all over Brazil. The flavours of its gastronomy are incomparable and will satisfy every palate.

On the banks of the Mundaú Lagoon is Massagueira, the largest gastronomic centre in the Northeast.

3. Barra de São Miguel

Barra de São Miguel is located on the south coast of Alagoas, 33 kilometres from Maceió, and has a population of about 9,000 inhabitants. Barra de São Miguel has excellent accommodation, restaurants and entertainment.

The place is ideal for leisure and relaxation. The main attractions of Barra de São Miguel are its beautiful beaches, especially those of Conchas, Niquim and Meio, where the sea is cut by a wall of reefs, ideal for refreshing dips in the calm, crystal clear waters.

On the horizon, the intense blue of the sea merges with the blue of the sky in a scene designed by the Creator.

The Niquim and São Miguel rivers are rich in mangroves and the lagoon shows the exuberance of the ecosystem. The confluence of river, lagoon and sea can be seen from the Alto de Santana Viewpoint.

The panorama is magnificent: the intense blue of the ocean, decorated with coconut trees. Several boats glide through the water to the most popular destination, Gunga Beach, framed by coconut trees as far as the eye can see.

Located where the Roteiro Lagoon meets the sea, Gunga Beach is a paradise like no other.

4. Roteiro

The town of Roteiro is 49 kilometres from Maceió and has a population of about 8,000 inhabitants. Its first inhabitants were the Caetés Indians, around 1853.

Cidade de Roteiro em Alagoas

The town began in 1900 when the first chapel was built in honour of Our Lady of Livramento.

It became a town in 1963. Roteiro is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Alagoas and is internationally known for having one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil.

It is a place of extreme beauty, suitable for leisure and water sports. From the belvedere you can see the beach of Gunga and the beaches of Barra.

5. Jequiá da Praia

Jequiá da Praia is a city in the state of Alagoas. It is located 65 kilometres from Maceió and has a population of 15,000.

The name Jequiá da Praia comes from its indigenous origin and means “basket full of fish”. Jequiá da Praia is an ecological reserve that until 1998 belonged to the municipality of São Miguel dos Campos.

The municipality has a large ecosystem of preserved flora and fauna, with a lake complex made up of 3 rivers and 7 lagoons – the Azeda, Jacarecica and Jequiá lagoons – the third largest in Brazil – and several exotic beaches, such as Jacarecica do Sul and Barra de Jequiá, which complete the scenery created by nature.

It has a tourist centre with inns, restaurants and a leisure complex built in the midst of natural beauty, preserving the local vegetation and giving visitors the opportunity to interact with wild animals.

6. Coruripe

Coruripe is located on the southern coast of Alagoas, 90 kilometres from Maceió, and has a population of 50,000 inhabitants. The city’s name is of indigenous origin and means “in the river of frogs”. At the beginning of colonisation, the area was inhabited by the Caetés Indians.

Pontal do Coruripe em Alagoas

The municipality of Coruripe began to develop around the 19th century. Before that, it had suffered cultural influences from the Portuguese and the Dutch, facts that have marked the history of the municipality.

The 18th century Mother Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is in neoclassical style. The images of São Sebastião, São José, Santo Antônio, Nosso Senhor Glorioso and Nossa Senhora da Conceição are part of the church’s collection.

Hiring a horse and riding through the coconut groves is an opportunity to discover landscapes that seem to exist only in dreams. Nature has done its best in Coruripe.

The lush sea and the abundance of coconut palms enhance the place. The municipality has beautiful beaches, including Lagoa do Pau, Miaí de Cima and Miaí de Baixo.

Each one stands out for the uniqueness of its beauty, as in the case of Pontal de Coruripe, which has had its trademark since 1948, when a lighthouse was built to guide boats.

Pontal is a fishing village that has become an attractive tourist destination. It has comfortable inns and all the necessary facilities for leisure.

Handicrafts are an attraction; fishermen’s wives spend their days making baskets, jewellery boxes, bags and hats from ouricuri straw, a type of palm found in the region.

7. Feliz Deserto

Feliz Deserto is 118 kilometres from Maceió and has a population of 4,000 inhabitants. There is a legend that explains the origin of the town’s name.

It is said that Mr Domingos, after surviving a shipwreck, found an image of Our Lady Mother of Men under a leafy cashew tree.

Feliz Deserto em Alagoas

Mr Domingos was amazed to find such an image in such a deserted place. Originally, the lands of Feliz Deserto were occupied by the Caetés Indians who inhabited the area.

The town became a city in 1960 and was previously part of the municipality of Piaçabuçu.

Feliz Deserto has nooks and crannies where nature reveals its splendour, such as the Toco and Maçunim beaches. The handicrafts made from taboa straw are nationally renowned for their beauty and creativity.

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