- Home
-
Guide
Essentials
🏙️ City | Maceió is the capital of the state of Alagoas, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture. |
👥 Population | Approximately 1,030,000 |
💻 Internet Speed | Average of 40-50 Mbps, with options to increase up to 200 Mbps in specific areas. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 BRL ≈ 0.20 USD. Major banks include Banco do Brasil and Bradesco. |
🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended to drink directly; bottled water is widely available. |
🔌 Power | 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type N sockets |
📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Claro, Vivo, and TIM, with good coverage across the city. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Cards widely accepted, services such as Revolut and Wise can also be used. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and serviced apartments in neighborhoods like Ponta Verde and Jatiúca. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted at most restaurants, shops, and cafes. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local real estate agencies offer a variety of short-term rentals. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Budget options include hostels like HI Hostel Ponta Verde and local guesthouses. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Ponta Verde, near the beach and restaurants; it's vibrant and tourist-friendly. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Jatiúca is popular among digital nomads for its coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | B2 Coworking offers good facilities and networking opportunities. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café do Mercado is a local favorite with reliable Wi-Fi and a great atmosphere. |
💼 Networking Events | Look for meetups on social media platforms or events listed on local expat groups. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | There are various expat groups on Facebook, such as 'Expats in Maceió' for community events. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | 99 and Uber are popular ride-sharing apps throughout Maceió. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local bike rental services are available, such as Beira Mar Bike Rentals. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Ponta Verde Beach, located just a short walk from many central accommodations. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Avianca Brazil and Gol Transportes Aéreos have good regional coverage. |
✈️ Top International Airline | Latam Airlines and Gol connect Maceió with international destinations. |
🛣️ Highway Access | BR-104 and AL-101 connect Maceió to other major cities in Alagoas. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The main bus terminal is known as Terminal Rodoviário de Maceió. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public buses are available; a prepaid card can be used for easy access. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Buses travel to nearby cities like São Miguel dos Campos and Lagoa do Mundaú. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Universitário Professor Alberto Antunes is the main facility for healthcare. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Center Alagoas offers a variety of classes for all levels. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Academia Smart Fit is a popular gym chain with multiple locations in Maceió. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Self-service laundries such as Lavanderia Lavar are widely available. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | iFood and Rappi provide extensive food delivery options throughout the city. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the traditional dish of Sururu, a local shellfish delicacy. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurante Vegetariano Raízes offers a wide variety of plant-based meals. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chic Gelato & Café serves excellent gelato and desserts. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Mercado Municipal offers local produce and affordable meals. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Grocery delivery is available via apps like Supermercado Online. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Rappi and iFood have grocery delivery services. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The nightlife area includes the bars along Rua Maceió and Praia do Francês. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria Fumacinha offers local craft beers and brewery tours. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Vinícola Alagoana specializes in fine Brazilian wines. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visitors can enjoy acarajé and tapioca from street vendors. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Several restaurants offer international cuisine, including Pizzeria La Garda for Italian. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The historic Cathedral Metropolitana and Praia do Francês are must-visit spots. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Museu Théo Brandão features local art and culture exhibits. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the Old Lighthouse and Maceió's historic streets for a glimpse of history. |
🕍 Religious Sites | Igreja de São Gonçalo do Amarante is a notable church worth visiting. |
🎉 Annual Events | The Festa de São Gonçalo is a popular local festival celebrated annually. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Vasco da Gama Street is known for its art galleries and cultural vibrancy. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Deodoro hosts various performances and cultural events. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Feira do Artesanato offers great local crafts and souvenirs. |
🎼 Music Scene | Various live music venues showcase local and national talent, especially in the summer. |
🎨 Street Art | Maceió has an emerging street art scene visible in various neighborhoods. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Casa do Patrimonio offers cooking classes highlighting local cuisine. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria Gamma showcases works from local artists. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Explore the colonial architecture in the Jaraguá neighborhood. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Maceió culture is influenced by Indigenous, African, and Portuguese heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Natura dos Cânions do São Francisco offers stunning landscapes and hiking opportunities. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Pote do Lobo Parque Nacional is accessible for day trips. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Beira Mar is a scenic cycling and walking path along the coast. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Viewpoint at Praia do Gunga provides breathtaking coastal views. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Mundaú Lagoon is a great spot for birdwatching. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain beaches, like Praia do Francês, allow bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correios is the national postal service, providing reliable parcel delivery. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | TechNet offers quality electronics repair services. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local parks often have facilities for table tennis enthusiasts. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto de Línguas offers Portuguese language courses tailored for expats. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Pública de Maceió is a great place to read and study. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural do Banco do Nordeste hosts various community and cultural events. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Zone is popular for video game enthusiasts. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Maceió offers gaming options and entertainment. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$240,000) |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$180,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$330,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$4,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$240,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$400,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$3,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$304,000) |
💼 Corporate Tax | 15% standard corporate tax rate. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% on dividend distributions. |
🏦 Tax System | Brazilian tax system is based on worldwide income for residents. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 27.5% for the highest earners. |
🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 17%. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Brazil has strict CFC regulations. |
🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on assessed value. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard tax rate is 2% on property purchases. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Potential for tax incentives depending on residency status and income type. |