Northeast Brazil Beyond Recife: Maceio Pools, Chapada Diamantina, São Francisco Wine, and the Discovery Coast
The destinations accessible from Recife extend the northeast journey to the crystal-clear water beaches of Maceio, the highland canyons of Chapada Diamantina, the desert wine valley of the São Francisco River, and the elegant colonial village of Trancoso on the Bahia coast.
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Maceio: The Crystal Clear Water Capital
Maceio, the capital of Alagoas state 270 kilometers south of Recife, has beaches with natural pools formed by coral reefs that are considered by many Brazilians to be the most beautiful in the northeast for the exceptional clarity and turquoise color of the water. The Pajucara reef pools accessible by jangada from the city beach are the signature experience.
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Penedo: The Colonial Town on the Sao Francisco River
Penedo, a colonial town on the lower Sao Francisco River accessible from Maceio, is one of the finest and least-visited colonial townscapes in Brazil, with a series of baroque churches, convents, and civic buildings on the riverbank bluff that overlook the broad Sao Francisco as it approaches its Atlantic delta. The river boat excursions from Penedo on the Sao Francisco provide an encounter with the water and fishing culture of the great river.
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Chapada Diamantina: The Highland Canyons
Chapada Diamantina, the national park in the Bahia highland interior accessible from Recife by bus via Feira de Santana, protects a dramatic landscape of tabletop mountains, waterfalls, caves, and the Fumaça waterfall that drops 340 meters as one of the highest in Brazil. The hiking circuits of the Chapada Diamantina are among the most diverse and scenic trekking options in northeast Brazil.
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Sao Francisco Valley Wine: The Desert Vineyard
The São Francisco River valley around Petrolina in western Pernambuco has developed a significant wine production industry that exploits the semi-arid climate with drip irrigation and the ability to harvest grapes twice per year due to the consistent heat; the valley is now one of the five largest wine-producing regions in Brazil and exports to international markets. The Adega Miolo and other valley wineries offer tastings and tours.
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Trancoso and the Discovery Coast
Trancoso, the medieval-plan village on the cliff above the beach in southern Bahia that was founded as a Jesuit mission for indigenous peoples, is one of the most elegant small beach resorts in Brazil, with the Quadrado green lined by the simple whitewashed houses of the colonial settlement that have been converted to boutique accommodation and restaurants. The Discovery Coast UNESCO site protects the Atlantic forest fragments around Porto Seguro and Trancoso.
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Aracaju: The Planned Capital of Sergipe
Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe state between Recife and Salvador, was founded in 1855 as one of the first planned cities in Brazil and has a compact colonial center and accessible barrier island beach system that make it a manageable stopover on the northeast coastal journey between the two larger cities.