Brazil is now becoming an ideal holiday destination for Europeans.
Regular daily direct flights to Recife, Salvador, Natal and Fortaleza from the Portuguese capital Lisbon take only nine hours to Salvador seven hours to Recife, Natal and Fortaleza the return flight is always about a hour less.
This together with very cheap flight to Lisbon from all over Europe, make a trip to Brazil very attractive for backpackers and the more adventitious traveler.
For those of you who are new to Brazil:
The term "Pousada" denotes a small hotel or guesthouse.
Pousadas are by far the best form of accommodation in Brazil.
You can find pousadas right on the beach and a breakfast nearly always of fresh fruit bread cheese and strong Brazilian coffee Is including in the price.
Prices on average can be any thing between 600 to 175 R$ a night.
The rooms in a pousada, in my experience, are always clean and most have the use of a hammock on the room terrace or balcony.
The northeast of Brazil is becoming increasingly popular with Europeans,Recite, Natal and Fortaleza being only a nine hour flight from most European capitals and only seven hours from Lisbon. Salvador takes a little longer, but is well worth it.
Alagoas, Brazil’s best-kept secret, this is the part of Brazil that the Brazilians don’t want you to know about, they want to keep it all to themselves.
It’s just too beautiful to share with international tourist!
From Maragogi in the north all the way to the Soa Francisco River in the south, Alagoas is one big tropical beach paradise, pristine beaches with the ever-present palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze.
The whole coast line from north to south is wonderfully breathtaking all the way. The must visit places are Maragogi, Maceio City, Praia do Frances Barra de Sao Miguel and Gunga beach.
In Maragogi hire a beach buggy and go North and South and discover some amazing empty beaches, swim and drive on the reef and if you are lucky get to see the manatee. Maragogi is also a great place to just chill-out and relax while marveling at the amazing shade of blue and green in the ocean and sky.
Maceio, one of the nicest cities in the world, modern, clean and safe, Hotels right on the beach, a big very modern shopping mall, restaurants galore including Churrasco – all you can eat Brazilian BBQ - and some very good sushi, everything within an R$10 cab ride.
Praia do Frances, just a few minutes drive south of Maceio, great beach very lively on week-ends, a good selection of bars all serving food and drink on their terraces and on the beach.
Barra de Sao Miguel, smaller versions of Praia do Frances possible to get a boat to Gunga beach.
Gunga Beach, one the ten most beautiful beaches in Brazil.
Where to stay:
In Maragogi, it has got to be Pousada Praiagogi, one of the best small pousadas in Brazil. Located right on the beach, modern spotlessly clean rooms great food and super-friendly owners who speak 6 or 7 languages.
Highly recommended check out their web site: www.pousadapraiagogi.com
In Maceio, you are spoilt for choice, there are some great hotels all down the beach from cheap to mega expensive. Hotel Costamar just one street back from Ponta Verde beach is very good. Prices are moderate, the staff are very helpful and friendly, internet and free secure parking, very good breakfast, walking distance to some great restaurants and bars and no more than a R$10 cab ride away from everything in Maceio. www.hotelcostamar.com.br
View from the breakfast room at Hotel Costamar
In Praia do Frances, Pousada Roanna. Set a quiet tranquil area just behind the dunes great rooms and a wonderful breakfast. More in the style of European or North American Bed and Breakfast Inn Guest house E-MAIL
In Barra de Sao Miguel, Village Barra Hotel. Stay her just for the view it is spectacular, the rooms are big and very modern, breakfast is okay and the staff are clueless, but worth the money for the location and their boat will take you to Gunga beach www.villagebarrahotel.com.br
View from the room at Village Barra Hotel
Also worth a visit while you are in Alagoas is the town of Penedo right in the south on the bank of the Soa Francisco river, the town is very historic and beautiful in the old colonial style, but also has the feel of a frontier settlement.
Try the local fish at one of riverside restaurants, but keep a tight grip on your camera and bags if you venture into the town’s back streets. The street kids are a real pest.
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