Things to see and do Brésil Nordeste

The beaches that stretch from the tip of the city southwards, Praia do Meio and Praia dos Artistas, are the best. The avenue is lined with lively bars. The water is clean, but the beach is polluted by buggies.

Forte. Protected by reefs, with small natural pools; 10 minutes by bus from the centre.

Meio. Lined with buildings and hotels; unsuitable for swimming. You can eat a crab at Cigarino, on the beach

Artistas. Lined with buildings, hotels and bars; good waves for surfing.

Areia Preta. Strong waves, unsuitable for swimming.

Beach with nudist zone 12 km south. You can go by car and come back by the beaches, the walk is superb. Count 3 hours of happiness. Colorful rocks, roots of trees polished by the tide, large black birds. The coastline is a suite of different and unexpected handles. Sometimes we have to cross small tributaries of fresh water to the currents so strong that they are ephemeral. Take water.

Access to the nudist zone is restricted, and men not accompanied by women cannot return.

This church is shaped like a slide and was inaugurated in 1988. Made of concrete, it is supposed to represent the strength and dynamism of Brazilian and Northern Catholicism. It took over the function of the former cathedral of the same name, which was partly built in the 17th century. This modern temple of the Catholic faith is not without resemblance in some respects to the Cathedral of San Sebastian in Rio... with the addition of a convention centre. The choir is elevated.

This museum is attached to the UFRN (Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte). It is named after its first director and one of the founders of this remarkable museum, the anthropologist and folklorist, Lui da Camara Cascudo. For 60 years, out of two, this interesting museum offers many pieces, sometimes unique of ethnology, archaeology, paleontology, folk art, sacred art Anthropology, folklore of the Amazon Indians, fossils, skeletons. A sambaqui (tumulus) is reproduced in a room and a room is dedicated to the sugar cycle.

Brazil, unlike its Andean neighbours, has few old stone monuments carved by human hands. The oldest monument in the country is a Corinthian column that is said to come from the Capitol of Rome, donated by Mussolini in 1928 to commemorate the flight of two Italians, Carlo del Prete and Arturo Ferrarin, on board the Savoia, which linked Rome to Natal without a stopover. On July 5, 1928, these pilots reached the coast of Potiguar from Rome, after a non-stop flight of more than 49 hours, covering a distance of more than 7,000 kilometers.

Several places and historic buildings to be known in the downtown of João Pessoa (one day or half day will suffice): Court of Justiça, Palacio da Redenção, praça Pedro Américo, Teatro Santa Rosa.

Terra Viagem offers tours of the city, lasting 3 hours (at 9 h and 15 h) and beaches (Ponta d'Areia, Araçagi) for 4 hours (exits at 8 h and 15 h), as well as excursions at Alcântara, lasting 8 hours (exit at 9 h), São José de Ribamar, d 4 hours (8 h and 15 h exit) and Vers connections.

The name of this river and of the small village of the same name comes from an Amerindian word meaning "little armadillo". With a little luck, the excursion on the Rio Tatuamunha will allow you to observe the beautiful peixes-bois (manatees), famous in the region. The excursion to Tatuamunha is one of the most beautiful in the region, as it takes you to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. It offers you a beautiful view of the Coral Coast and its vegetation of coconut and mango trees. The mouth of the river, called "boca do rio" offers a delightful spectacle.

It's a nice tour of historical places and beautiful coconut beaches in the middle of the greenery. The most popular excursion is the one that takes you to the other side of the river, towards Japaratinga. You can also go there to see the sunset on the Manguaba river. You can start this beautiful walk at the beach of Bitingui and walk about 1h30 passing by the beaches of Barreiras do Boqueirão (where there are several restaurants on the seaside), Boqueirão (more deserted) and Pontal, finally, where the beach meets the river Manguaba.

One of the attractions of this small state of the Nordeste is certainly its magnificent natural pools. During low tides, it is enough to go on one of the jangadas (kind of sailing boats) which are at the edge of the beach, directed by local fishermen, to go to the natural swimming pools of Pajuçara a little further in the sea. The transparent water makes us think we are immersed in a large pool, surrounded by multicolored fish. It's a pity that we are not the only ones to enjoy the idyllic setting...

The São Francisco River has a strong symbolic importance in Brazil, it is called the "River of National Unity" in memory of the time, during the Second World War, when the only way to transport food and manufactured goods between the south and the north of the country was to use the blue waters of the river, as the maritime routes were cut off by German U-boats, Brazil having chosen to side with the Allies.

Known as the Velho Chico, the river rises in Minas Gerais and flows through the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe and Alagoas. Between these last two states is the mouth of the São Francisco River and the trip is worthwhile for those staying in either state. The trip begins with a journey from Maceio to Pitaçabu (140 km), in the south of the state, from where the boats leave for the mouth of the river. Stops for swimming and for admiring the landscape are planned. For those who spend their holidays in Maceió, for example, it is easier to go to the town of Piaçabuçu, in the Alagoas, from where the boat trips to the meeting of the waters depart.

The scenery along the river is beautiful and makes for an outdoor excursion. During the trip, it is possible to observe the beautiful forest and the local communities that live from fishing. The meeting of the waters is not as spectacular as that of the Rio Negro and the Solimões, because the river and the sea do not have such different colors, but the place has a unique beauty.

The Galès are one of the major attractions of this coral coast which runs from the state of Sergipe to Pernambuco. These natural pools, the galés, are located 6 km from the coast and can be reached in 25 minutes by catamaran (departures every hour from the docks, masks and snorkels provided). They are real natural aquariums with fish, shellfish, molluscs and corals that can be seen in the clear waters. The excursions last about 2 hours. Preferably at low tide and in the early hours of the morning. The waters are even clearer in the summer.

Located in this historic village, the Igreja do Convento de São Francisco, which dates from 1693, houses the small Museu de Arte Sacra, a collection of sacred art considered the third most important in Brazil, with about 500 objects on display. Some of the pieces are of great finesse. Lovers of sacred art will appreciate this beautiful work. The cloister of the convent is also worth seeing. For a little, one would think of Olinda or Salvador de Bahia.

The oldest museum in Sergipe has a rich and diverse collection of objects and relics important in the history of the State of Sergipe. Paintings, art objects and historical documents are on display. There are furniture from the 19th and 20th centuries, various paintings, busts of Sergipe personalities, coin collections, as well as rare objects and photos of "cangaço" characters (honorary bandits from the Nordeste like Lampiao).

The city has some very nice beaches in its surroundings. The urban beaches are polluted and swimming is not recommended. If you can't go too far away, go to Ponta Verde (5 km away) and Jatiúca (6 km away). These beautiful beaches are very popular. By bus: take direction Riacho Doce (North).

To the north: Go even further north, there is plenty to choose from: Jacarecica (9 km), Guaxuma (12 km), Garça Torta (15 km), Pratagi (17 km), terminus at Riacho Doce (16 km).

To the south: Praia do Francês and Barra de São Miguel, sublime!

The quilombo of Palmares is a major place in post-colonial Brazil. The curious traveller who passes through Salvador cannot miss the statue of the "hero" of negritude: Zumbi de Palmares, an African king enslaved in Brazil. He managed to escape with many maroons and built a city in the northern hinterland. From the beginning of the 17th century, the slaves who managed to escape from the fazendas (farms) and engenhos (small sugar cane processing factories) began to gather in safe places where they could move freely, these communities are known as quilombos.

The largest and most famous quilombo in Brazil, the one "governed" by Zumbi dos Palmares, was established in the Serra da Barriga, 80 km from Maceió. It brought together runaway slaves, Indians and a few outcast whites, who resisted fiercely for almost 100 years, like the Canudos rebels not far from here, before finally being wiped out by the Portuguese crown army in 1694. The story goes that Zumbi fell after being betrayed by one of his own.

Unfortunately, the remains of the quilombo are not promoted: no guards, no means, and you will have to rent a vehicle. On the spot, guides offer, "voluntarily", to guide you. More than a visit, it is a small adventure for those who are particularly interested in this page of Brazilian history.

Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, this museum is named after a doctor who bequeathed to the University of Alagoas his collection of an infinite number of handicrafts from popular culture. This museum is dedicated to anthropology and regional folklore, of infinite richness. Popular toys, objects made of vegetable fiber (caçuás, baskets, abanos, hats, etc.), utilitarian ceramics from the Kariri Xocó ethnic group, from Alagoas, pieces of the Afro-Brazilian cult, elements of popular Catholicism, lace and embroidery

The museum of the Historical and Geographical Institute of Alagoas is located in the city centre of Maceió. It exhibits to the public part of the historical, archaeological and ethnographic collection of the institute. This museum offers a collection focused on the culture of the natives: ornaments, bows and arrows, native accessories and weapons that belonged to the bandit Lampião... an interesting journey through time, too bad that the place suffers from a cruel lack of maintenance.

Aracaju is a destination that offers many pleasant beaches, suitable for swimming or surfing, for the more athletic. There are urban beaches south of the city center: Praia dos artistas, 7 km away, with its waves suitable for surfing, is nicknamed "Havaizinho", the little Hawaii. But also Praia Atalaia, at 9 km, Praia Aruana, at 11 km, Praia do Robalo, at 13 km...

The further you go down, the more quiet and preserved they are, like Praia do Refugio (18 km from the center), the wildest of all.

The José Inacio Art and Culture Centre is a beautiful pavilion that houses an exhibition of local crafts. This space was named after the artist José Inacio de Oliveira, known by his pseudonym José Inacio. You can admire the works of José Roberto Freitas or Beto Pezão, who make figurines with huge feet. All the local crafts are represented: hammocks, sculpture, traditional pottery, calabash dolls... Unfortunately the space is underused.