Maceio, the capital of the Alagoas state of Brazil, has its name derived from an Indian word that refers to the spontaneous streams of water that come up from the soil and drain into the sea. The town's laid-back atmosphere has begun attracting Brazilian and international vacationers to its lovely beaches, but some are reluctant to visit the area because of Maceio's high rates of violent crime. Tourists are generally not the targets of crime, however, especially because the crime is usually isolated to the poverty-stricken favelas that are far from the beaches.
The best beaches to visit are Ponta Verda and Jatiuca, which are located a few miles/kilometers outside of the city center. Pajucara Beach is also a popular destination, as there are natural swimming pools located 1 mi/2 km off the coast.
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