São Paulo – Want to take a different route when you go to Alagoas? A route of the type that is little known by tourists, but loved by the locals? Well, keep this name in mind: Coruripe. At a distance of 90 kilometres from the capital, Maceió, in the Southern Coast of the state, the city features vast beaches that have wide stretches of sand and coconut trees as far as the eye can see. And, of course, that lukewarm ocean that we all deserve. A great option for a day’s ride. Or even for a season of salt, sun and good living. Go if you wish to relax, because partying is definitely not the region’s thing.
In the past, Coruripe, with its 53-kilometre coastline, used to be inhabited by Caeté Indians, members of the Tupinambá nation. The name of the city, which now has 53,300 inhabitants, comes from the Coruripe River. The expression is of Indian origin (“cururu-ipe”) and means river of gravel. Highlight beaches include Pituba (also known as Poxim), Lagoa do Pau, Pontal de Coruripe, Miaí de Cima and Miaí de Baixo. Important: when it comes to lodging, the best-equipped ones are Pontal de Coruripe and then Lagoa do Pau, in that order. In the other beaches, tourists can spend the day and then return in the evening, because everything is nearby.
By making Pontal de Coruripe your base in the region, you can then hurl yourself into the placid waters, protected by reefs that create natural pools. To whoever it may interest, there are open sea stretches as well. In between one dive and another, pay attention to the lighthouse, the postcard symbol of the beach. Inaugurated in 1948, it is 20 metres tall and its reach is 14 miles.
In the same style, Lagoa do Pau has lots of peace and calm to offer, with a structure of seafront bars and various services. It is the second most visited beach by tourists in the region. It figures: semi-deserted, the beach is of the type where you can lie down on the sand and take a nap listening to sea with no one nearby. There, Rio do Pau, a dark-water river, runs parallel to the beach until it meets the Atlantic. An odd fact: the stretch is good for fishing, and stages fishing competitions.
Aside from relaxing, what can you do around there? Honestly, not much. That is exactly the idea: to surrender to idleness, go back to the hotel, take a bath, take a nap, read a little. Whenever you go for a walk in Coruripe, in the city per se, get an item made of ouricuri straw (a type of palm tree), which is the region’s typical handicraft, and bring it home with you. It can be a basket, a purse, a wallet, any one of various accessories. They are all very colourful, creative and cute.
Shopping done, any tips on where to eat? Any culinary highlights? No, forget about that cuisine stuff. The best way to go is to choose the establishment that appeals to you the most on the beach. And have fun satiating your hunger with some fresh fish, cooked or fried, spiked with lots of lemon. Or maybe a shrimp fest, which will cost about half the price charged at good restaurants in capitals such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (maybe even less). It is all very rustic. And very tasty. Life is much better when it’s simple, hype-free, by the sea in Coruripe.
Service
Information about tourism in Coruripe
www.destinocoruripe.com.br/pt
Lodging
Pontal de Coruripe
Pousada Paradise
Telephone: (+55 82) 3273-7303
Site: www.pousadaparadiseal.com.br
Recanto do Pontal
Telephone: (+55 82) 3273-7303
Site: www.recantodopontal.com.br
Lagoa do Pau
Pousada Umuarama
Telephone: (+55 82) 3273-9049
www.pousadaumuarama.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
