Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
10min; R$1); you can then get a bus to Atalaia Nova from the ferry terminal. Although
the beach itself isn't great, the island is a pleasant place to stay - hotels are expensive,
but there are plenty of rooms for rent.
Oceanário de Aracaju
Av Santos Dumont, Atalaia Velha • Tues-Sun 9am-9pm • R$14 •
T
79 3243 3214,
W
tamar.org.br
Brazil's Tamar Project runs the
Oceanário de Aracaju
, comprising aquariums crammed
with local marine life and many of the turtles Tamar saves each year. There is also a focus
on the ecosystems of the Rio São Francisco, as well as lectures, video screenings and classes.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
ARACAJU
By plane
The modern airport (
T
79 3212 8500) is 12km
south of the old centre, but quite close to the beaches;
buses marked “Centro/Aeroporto” will get you into the
centro histórico
(R$2.35). For taxis, pay in advance for
Comtaju Taxi (R$35 to
centro histórico
, R$25 to Atalaia).
By bus
The new rodoviária (
T
79 3238 2900) is 4km west of
the old centre, connected by frequent local buses to the centre
(R$2.35); taxis will cost around R$40 to Atalaia and R$20
to the
centro histórico
. The old rodoviária (Terminal Velha;
T
79 3214 2578), which serves mainly local destinations, is
five blocks north of Praça Olímpia Campos. The latter is a more
chaotic place, though useful TV screens list departures and you
can pay on board - this is where to catch minibuses for São
Cristóvão (see p.255) and Laranjeiras (see p.254).
Destinations
Maceió (14 daily; 4hr); Penedo (1 daily;
3hr 15min); Recife (3 daily; 8hr); Salvador (9 daily; 5hr).
Tourist information
The state tourist o
ce is at Travessa
Baltazar 86 (Edifício Estado de Sergipe, 3/F) in the centre,
open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, while the most convenient
information desk (daily 8am-8pm;
T
79 3214 8848), lies
inside the Centro de Turismo though there's not much here
and rarely English-speakers.
4
GETTING AROUND
By taxi
Taxis are reliable in Aracaju, with meters starting
at R$3.90, and most trips around town less than $25.
By bus
Local buses charge R$2.35, with numerous services
shuttling between Atalaia and the
centro histórico
.
ACCOMMODATION
Aju Hostel e Pousada
Rua François Hoald 276, Atalaia
T
79 3223 4332,
W
ajuhostel.com.
Solid budget option
(and the only hostel in the city) 3km from the airport, with
clean, modern premises, en-suite a/c doubles and spacious
a/c do
rms, all
includ
ing breakfast and free wi-fi. Dorms
R$40
; doubles
R$98
Hotel Jangadeiro
Rua Santa Luzia 269
T
79 3211
1350,
W
jangadeirose.com.br.
Options in the
centro
histórico
are generally poor, but this is the best of the
bunch, an ageing, grim-looking business hotel with
adequate rooms and service, free wi-fi that's a bit hit-and-
miss and reasonable breakfast. If you stay down here,
remember
virtua
lly everything shuts after 7pm and all
weekend.
R$160
Pousada Dos Caminhos
Rua Dr. Bráulio Costa 89,
Atalaia
T
79 3243 4315,
W
pousadadoscaminhos.com
.br.
Justly popular B&B near the Passarela do Caranguejo,
with cosy
rooms,
cable TV, good internet and hearty
breakfasts.
R$110
Radisson Hotel Aracaju
Rua Dr. Bezerra De Menezes
40, Atalaia
T
79 3711 3300,
W
radisson.com.
This luxury
chain hotel is the poshest place to stay in town, with all the
amenities you'd expect (pool, jacuzzi, sol
arium,
free wi-fi,
iPod docks, cable TV), right on the beach.
R$275
TRIPS ALONG THE CÂNION DO XINGÓ
Some 200km northwest of Aracaju, the stunning Cânion do Xingó - on the Rio São Francisco
- is a popular day-trip (around R$130 inclusive), though the van ride there is three to four
hours one-way - staying the night in nearby Piranhas (where the bandit Lampião was killed
and his head displayed in 1938) is much less rushed (regular buses run from Aracaju to
Canindé de São Francisco/Piranhas for around R$20). Catamarans (8am, 9am, 10.30am,
11.30am, 12.30am, 2pm & 3pm; R$70, cash only) depart the dock at
Karranca's
restaurant
(
T
79 9869 6428,
W
karrancas.com.br), 10km from Canindé de São Francisco on the banks of
Lago São Pedro (just upriver from Xingó dam); the three-hour trips traverse the lake, stopping
at the end of the canyon for a swim or to take a canoe ride into the narrowest section and a
cave, the Gruta do Talhado (R$5 extra). Lunch buffet at the restaurant is R$30 extra. Nozes Tur
(Av Santos Dumont 340
T
79 3243 7177,
W
nozestur.com.br) arranges trips from Aracaju.
