Japaratinga - Alagoas - Brazil

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Without a doubt, the beaches of Costa dos Corais, in Alagoas, can be called the “Northeastern Caribbean”. With clear, warm waters and a constant breeze, the region around the cities of Maragogi, Japaratinga, Porto de Pedra and São Miguel dos Milagres is a great option for a vacation in Brazil. I dare say it is one of my favorite places in the country. So, here are my tips on what to do in Japaratinga, the city where we stayed to enjoy the region.

Despite being small, Costa dos Corais has a large number of beaches and, for sure, we will need many trips to get to know them all!

WHEN TO GO TO JAPARATINGA

The best time of year to visit Costa dos Corais is between September and February. In this period it is hot and it rains little. October, November and December are the best months, with higher temperatures and few days of rain. As the wind is constant, the heat on the beaches is softened by the breeze.

Between March and August, the temperature drops a little, but the volume of rainfall increases a lot, especially between April and July. For this reason, it is best to avoid these dates.

The closest airports are Recife and Maceió, and the roads are in good condition. We bought tickets to Recife because it was cheaper for us than to Maceió.

Leaving Recife for Japaratinga, the 140-kilometer journey takes just over 2h30 on the BR-101 and PE-60 (to the border with Alagoas). Afterwards, this highway becomes the AL-101 and just follow it to Maragogi and Japaratinga. Leaving Maceió for Japaratinga, it's about 115 KM.

Before even talking about what to do in Japaratinga, you need to know that it is essential to rent a car, as there is no efficient public transport there.

One of the best beaches in Japaratinga is the main beach, from where the tours to the natural pools leave. Access is the main street of the city and it is possible to park the car in empty lots.

It is a very long beach and very pleasant to walk. The sand is white and the sea has different shades of blue. As it is a more centralized beach, it has some options for tents, but they are few and we didn't try any. We prefer to enjoy the shade of the palm trees. In addition, there are several houses that are almost on the sand.

You will also find a beautiful sea, pleasant for swimmers of all ages, including children. It is worth including in the itinerary when deciding what to do in Japaratinga. There is not much infrastructure for tourists, but there is a restaurant and a freshwater spout to remove the sand from your body.

Antunes beach

To get there, just take the AL-101 highway for about 20 kilometers from Japaratinga and follow the signs. You enter a dirt road and walk on it for just under 5 minutes. It is possible to park in a coconut grove on the edge of the beach.

If you stay close to the “parking lot”, you will find a stall selling snacks and beer, but the condition is not the best. In addition, it is a place with a lot of people. Walking for just over 5 minutes on the sand, you reach a less crowded stretch to enjoy the crystal clear, warm water.

Of all the beaches we visited, it was the busiest. There were some handicraft vendors and even a car strolled through the sand! The movement of speedboats (some with very loud sound) can bother you at times. Close to the silence of the other beaches, this one can be strange. Even so, it is far more peaceful than the beaches in Rio and Bahia!

You can take amazing pictures of the blue sea of Alagoas at Mirante Aruanã. It is located between the beaches of Japaratinga and Bitingui, it is easy to identify because of a stone plaque and it has a spectacular view!

When you decide what to do in Japaratinga, don't miss out on a trip to the region's natural pools. You can choose to take the tour there or through Maragogi. Despite being less famous than the tour of the Maragogi pools, the tour of Japaratinga is cheaper, emptier and more beautiful.

Burgalhau beach

Leaving Japaratinga, Praia de Burgalhau is 16 kilometers away on the AL-101. When you get close, just follow a sign for Restaurante Burgalhau. You turn onto a dirt road and drive for just under 5 minutes. On site, there is a small area to park the car very close to the sand.

My suggestions on what to do in Japaratinga had to include a gastronomic tip. It is much cheaper to eat lobster there than elsewhere in the country. Our experience was great at Companhia da Lagosta, on the edge of Barreiras do Boqueirão beach.

With so many beautiful beaches, you must be finding it difficult to decide what to do in Japaratinga, right? But be sure to enjoy the sun in Porto das Pedras, the neighboring town. Go prepared to enjoy this paradise, because the shores have no infrastructure. Take your water, snacks and everything you need.

Patacho beach

It is just 9 kilometers from Japaratinga and access is easy. You'll have to take the ferry that crosses the Manguaba River, and you may find a queue for it. So, avoid going after 10 am. You will also have to take the AL-101 highway and follow a dirt road for just over 5 minutes.

It's a super quiet beach, with calm, warm water and white sand. There are no shops in it, but it is shaded by coconut trees.

Laje

It is the continuation of Patacho beach and has calm water. There are no shacks on the beach, just a fishing village. Leaving Patacho beach, just follow the dirt road for another 10 minutes. If you are on the AL-101 highway, you can enter the sign for the Pousada Aldeia Beijupirá.

In addition to the tranquility, the beach is great for walking.

It is one of the best tours in Japaratinga that you can do. With warm water and a dazzling blue, Praia do Toque is little frequented because access is a little more complicated. To get there, you need to take the ferry in Japaratinga (the one that can have a queue at peak times on the beach) and follow the AL-101 highway for 15 kilometers to São Miguel dos Milagres. Once there, look for the sign for Pousada do Toque (small on a pole) and enter the dirt road. When you're done, park and walk along a small trail for about 5 minutes.

If you have doubts about where the access is by the small trail, ask the locals. At the inns, if you ask, they will tell you that access is only for guests and that you will have to walk from the neighboring beach (Porto da Rua) to Praia do Toque. Lie! There is this access that I mentioned above, inside a vacant lot, but which was being walled when I went.

On the beach, some inns offer bar service for customers, but if you're not staying, the only option is to take your water and snacks.

There are many boatmen offering trips to the natural pools of Toque, leaving from the neighboring beach, Porto da Rua.

It's the beach where Enildo's famous restaurant is located, specializing in seafood (see tips on where to eat in Japaratinga and the region). It is a 30-minute walk from Toque beach, through the sand. The sea has the same color, except that instead of natural pools, there are many boats and rafts in the sea. Nothing that prevents bathing in the sea, but it is less beautiful. However, if you insist on having a support point, such as bathrooms and food, you can stay at Enildo, enjoy the beach and eat there.

Enjoy and have a wonderful time!

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