Getting Around Maceió: Bus, Taxi, Ride-Hailing, Car and On Foot

Maceió is a sprawling city, but the part visitors use most, the city waterfront, is flat and easy to get around. Your choice of transport depends on the trip: walking between neighboring beaches, crossing the city to the center or heading out to the north and south coasts.

Overview

On foot along the waterfront

The Pajuçara, Ponta Verde and Jatiúca waterfront has a continuous, flat promenade. Walking between these beaches is one of the most pleasant ways to get to know the city, early in the morning or late in the afternoon. See each stretch in Pajuçara beach, Ponta Verde and Jatiúca.

Bring water, use sunscreen and avoid the hours of strongest sun. At night, stick to busy, well-lit stretches.

Cycling

Maceió City Hall maintains waterfront lanes with defined uses: there are shared path stretches and bike lanes at Pajuçara and Ponta Verde. On Sundays, a City Hall initiative expands space for cyclists with a leisure cycle lane on the waterfront; check City Hall’s channels to see whether it’s still running. Follow the signs, because each lane has its own rule (runners, cyclists, pedestrians or wheelchair users).

City bus

Public transport is managed by City Hall through DMTT. There are routes linking the waterfront to the center, the bus station and other neighborhoods. You can pay with the city’s transport card, Vamu Cidadão, which has a lower fare than regular payment, according to City Hall.

We don’t publish the current fare because we didn’t find a recent official publication with the 2026 price. Check City Hall’s website before your trip.

Taxi

Taxi fares in Maceió are set by City Hall. According to DMTT, with an adjustment published in February 2025:

Rate 2 applies from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., on Sundays and on holidays. Always ask for the meter to be switched on.

Ride-hailing apps

Ride-hailing apps operate in Maceió. They’re handy for getting from the waterfront to the center, Jaraguá and the lagoon. The price varies with demand and rises at peak times, in the rain and during big events. Check the car’s plate and model before getting in.

Rental car

A car becomes worthwhile when your itinerary includes beaches outside the capital, such as those on the north coast and the south coast. It gives you the freedom to arrive early, before the groups, and come back when you like.

Things to watch out for:

• parking near the beach on the city waterfront is difficult at weekends and on holidays;
• traffic is slower at peak times;
• some coastal roads have single-lane stretches;
• don’t leave anything visible inside the car.

Organized tours

If you don’t want to drive, organized tours take you to more distant beaches and lagoons, departing from the waterfront. Ask about the timing in relation to the tide, what’s included and the free time at each stop. See the options in Maceió tours.

Accessibility on the waterfront

City Hall has extended stretches of shared path on the waterfront with a priority area for wheelchair users, according to DMTT. This makes it easier for people using wheelchairs or pushing strollers to get between Pajuçara and Ponta Verde. Away from the waterfront, uneven sidewalks are still common; plan short routes and use a taxi or ride-hailing app when needed.

Final tips

• Stay on the waterfront if you want to do almost everything on foot.
• Group attractions by area to save time.
• On rainy days, traffic is slower; leave with time to spare.
• For arriving in and leaving the city, see the Maceió airport guide.