Brazil's North-East Region
Aracaju Travel Guide
Visit the giant turtles at the Projeto TAMAR turtle sanctuary
Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, is known for its relaxed pace and beautiful beaches along Brazil's northeastern coast. The city features attractions such as the Orla de Atalaia, a beachfront promenade, and the Mercado Municipal, where visitors can find regional crafts and foods. Aracaju is also a gateway to natural sites like the Xingó Canyon and São Francisco River.
Top 5 Things to See & Do in Aracaju
Relax at Atalaia Beach
See turtles at the Oceanário de Aracaju, Tamar Project
Visit the Sergipe Museum
Visit the Crab Catwalk
Take a boat tour of the Canyon Xingo and the São Francisco River
Closest airport
Santa Maria Airport
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Aracaju
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Main ports
How to get to Aracaju
Aracaju is accessible via domestic flight connections to major cities including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Belo Horizonte, and others. The closest international airport is located in Salvador.
There are frequent buses from Salvador if travelling from the south, or from Maceió if travelling from the north. Intercity busses arrive at the Terminal Rodoviário de Aracaju.
How to get around Aracaju
Getting around Aracaju is relatively straightforward, with several transportation options available. Public busses are available connecting the metropolitan area and beaches, however travel by bus takes considerably longer than driving. Real-time routes and timetables, with estimated arrival times and delays, can be found on Google Maps by searching for directions.
Ride-sharing services like 99 and Uber are also widely available and inexpensive, are a safer way to travel after dark.
Things to know before you go
Aracaju makes for a convenient stopover for those wanting to travel between Salvador and the famous beaches of the Alagoas. Unlike the crowded beaches of other cities such as Rio, Aracaju has long, sparsely populated beaches where you can easily find a sandy place to yourself to sunbake, play football, or have a swim.
While you're there, make sure to visit the turtle sanctuary at Projeto TAMAR. Tickets cost R$24 and go towards supporting their work protecting turtles in the region. See their website for more info: www.tamar.org.br
For seafood lovers, Aracaju is famous for its crab. Visit the Mercado Popular de Aracaju to try the local cuisine. Popular dishes include banana leaf crab, made with a small mangrove crab called Aratu, and Canranguejada which is a kind of crab broth. You can also try juices made from fruits from the local region.
