Arrival: Maceió
Leaving the serra around half past three, the route rejoins the BR-104 south for the final run to the coast, with a fuel stop at Posto Mata do Rolo. You roll into Maceió around half past five.
The city grew in the early 19th century as a trading settlement between the port of Jaraguá and the lagoa Mundaú behind it, and became the state capital in 1839. After settling in, the most natural first move is the orla: the broad seafront promenade running from Pajuçara through Ponta Verde to Jatiúca, some five kilometres of coconut palms and beach barracas. The piscinas naturais off Pajuçara — shallow reef pools reached by small boats from the beach — are better saved for a morning visit. Tonight, sururu ao coco and a cold chopp along the seafront is the right end to the first day's driving.