What's on in Maceió, Brazil through the year

Peak crowds — Reveillon on Pajucara, Summer holidays in Brazil

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Turtle nesting on the city beaches (1 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Dry months and calm reef pools (1 Sep – 28 Feb (usually)), Reveillon on Pajucara (26 Dec – 5 Jan)

Peak crowds — Carnival, Summer holidays in Brazil

• Holiday

  Carnival

  13–18 FebCrowdedClosures

  Maceio's carnival is a modest municipal affair next to Recife's, but the whole north-east travels and the beachfront hotels fill regardless. Many restaurants close for the four days. Source ↗

Still on: Turtle nesting on the city beaches (1 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Dry months and calm reef pools (1 Sep – 28 Feb (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Carnival (13–18 Feb), Turtle nesting on the city beaches (1 Sep – 31 Mar (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Sao Joao Massayo, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Sao Joao Massayo

  22–29 JunMajor festivalCrowded

  Alagoas keeps the June festivals seriously and the capital runs a week of forro on the seafront around the 24th, in the wettest month of its year. Bring something for the rain. Source ↗

Busy — July winter break in Brazil, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in August.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Nature

  Turtle nesting on the city beaches

  1 Sep – 31 Mar · usually

  Sea turtles nest along the Alagoas coast from September, with most of the state's nests on Maceio's own sand and the peak around January. Nests are fenced off where they are found.

• Season

  Dry months and calm reef pools

  1 Sep – 28 Feb · usuallyDry season

  The rain thins out from September and the wind drops, which is when the boats out to the natural pools at Pajucara and Gales are worth the trip. Low tide decides the day, not the forecast.

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Turtle nesting on the city beaches (1 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Dry months and calm reef pools (1 Sep – 28 Feb (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Turtle nesting on the city beaches (1 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Dry months and calm reef pools (1 Sep – 28 Feb (usually))

Peak crowds — Reveillon on Pajucara, Summer holidays in Brazil

• Holiday

  Reveillon on Pajucara

  26 Dec – 5 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The city puts fireworks on four beaches and everyone stands in the water in white; hotel rates on Ponta Verde and Jatiuca are the year's highest and require a minimum stay. Source ↗

Still on: Turtle nesting on the city beaches (1 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Dry months and calm reef pools (1 Sep – 28 Feb (usually))