Known as the "Brazilian Caribbean", Maragogi is one of the favorite destinations for local and foreign tourists who come to experience the tropical magic of Alagoas. Located between the municipalities of Japaratinga and José da Coroa Grande, it is one of the most beautiful and preserved places of the northeastern coast of Brazil. Halfway between Maceio (115 km) and Recife (130 km), Maragogi has almost 22 km of paradisiacal beaches, each with its own characteristics. What to do in Maragogi? In this article we take you to Maragogi, the Brazilian Caribbean, to discover what to expect in this little paradise so beloved by Brazilians.  
The tourist destination of Maragogi is commonly known as the Brazilian Caribbean due to its paradisiacal resemblance of palm trees, fine sand and turquoise waters / Photo: Tiffany Flour

1- On the way to the Coral Coast 

Maragogi is one of the paradisiacal destinations of the Coral Coast, a 120 km tourist route that crosses the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. As you can imagine, it is the ideal place to dive in incredible turquoise waters and observe its marine fauna and flora. This area has been declared an Environmental Protection Zone, so it requires especially conscious attention to responsible tourist behavior to respect and preserve this pearl of Brazil.   

2- The Natural Pools

Naturally, Maragogi is the place to bathe in the natural pools of the Coral Coast. Located one kilometer from the coast towards the ocean, several agencies offer to take you by catamaran or boat to these pools to spend some time, equipped with your mask and snorkel, exploring marine life and taking pictures. The clear water and blue Caribbean sky will make your shots amazing. However, be wary of natural pool tour vendors and be sure to check beforehand to get a fair price. The natural pools of Barra Grande (the largest beach closest to the center of Maragogi) are the most popular for natural pool tours from Maragogi, however, if you go directly to other nearby beaches such as Praia de Antunes and Praia de Peroba, among others, you will have the opportunity to go to pools that are a little less crowded.   Travel tip: If you don't want to rely on an excursion to get to the natural pools, it is quite possible to get there on foot during low tide. It is recommended to go during a 2-hour time period before and after the lowest tide of the day.   
Almost the entire coastline of Northeastern Brazil is full of beautiful and fascinating natural pools, ideal for observing the richness of marine flora and fauna, without moderation / Photo: Tiffany Flour
 

3- A beach-to-beach adventure

If its nickname comes from its resemblance to the Caribbean panorama, it also comes from a tourist reality. Despite some offers of activities, Maragogi and its entire coastline are known mainly for leisure tourism on the beaches. And for good reason, there are many beaches along the coast, but all are worth discovering! By car or on foot along the fine sand, there are almost 12 km between the center of Maragogi and Ponta do Mangue, which is the last beach before the border with Pernambuco. From south to north, we find the following route: Praia de Maragogi (urban center), Praia de Burgalhau, Praia de Barra Grande, Praia de Antunes, Praia do Xaréu (or Praia da Bruna), Praia Peroba and finally, Ponta de Mangue. Although the panorama seems to be the same, pay attention to the natural richness of these beaches and you will discover that each one has its own charm.  At Barra Grande beach, there is a very famous and coveted spot, the Moses Trail. So no, historically he didn't pass this way, but his iconic passage, opening the Red Sea, recounted in the Old Testament has inspired Brazilians to name this fine sandbar that appears every day in the sea.    Travel tip: wait until low tide is between -0.1 and 0.3 to see the Moses Way that opens into the sea and stretches for almost 2 km. Along the way you will see several hammocks for good photos, as well as vendors selling drinks and pasteis (traditional Brazilian snacks).   
Inspired by the famous passage of Moses by the sea in the Old Testament, the Moses Route is one of the main tourist attractions / Photo: Maragogi Tourism Agency.
 

4- Japaratinga, the charming neighbor

It is much more common to head north of Maragogi to see all the paradisiacal beaches that are revealed along the Coral Coast. But if we head south, we find Japaratinga, a charming beach where we find peace and tranquility. Several small bars and restaurants accompany the few hotels and hostels in this municipality, which is located 10 km from the center of Maragogi, halfway to Porto de Pedras, a popular place with the best sunset. Travel tip: On the way from downtown Maragogi to Japaratinga, you will have the opportunity to pass by Bento beach. It is not particularly interesting, as it shares its tropical beauty with Japaratinga beach, but it is ideal for a pleasant walk by the sea.  

5- Actions and activities for responsible tourism

As an environmentally protected area, it is our responsibility as travelers to contribute to its conservation and protection. The marine flora and fauna, especially the miles of coral that inhabit the coastline of the Coral Coast, are extremely fragile and can be quickly disturbed by tourism. Therefore, it is recommended to go to the pools on foot or by boat without a motor, and to respect the corals avoiding any kind of damage. As for other activities, we do not recommend ATVs or jet skis, but there are several alternatives, such as aquabikes, which allow you to cycle through the heart of the sea.    Travel tip: so that you can be a responsible traveler wherever you go, here are some tips that will allow you to contribute to the conservation of our beloved planet.  
Ecotourism is starting to develop along the Brazilian coastline, and the locals themselves are carrying out several initiatives to raise awareness about environmental preservation / Photo: Tiffany Flour
  So, are you up for visiting all these beautiful beaches? To our delight, the choice is wide, but always heavenly! At the end of your stay, you will surely understand why Maragogi is called the Brazilian Caribbean, but also why Brazilians love this destination so much, which has become a must-see in the northeastern region of Brazil. If you watch out for the rainy season, Maragogi offers a beautiful tropical panorama all year round, so get your bikini ready because the pearl of Alagoas is waiting for you.
By: Tiffany, passionate communicator, inveterate marketer, enthusiastic traveler and Daytours4u contributor.