Praero Beach Club

Of all the beach places I’ve been in Brazil, this is my favourite, hands down. Located roughly minutes outside of Maceio, it is worth making the drive to taken in the prestine blue water and white sand beaches. On the date of my most...recent visit (high holiday season) they were charging a R$ cover per person, plus R$ for parking. Unlike several other places, I’ve reviewed this place IS worth the cover. If you are lucky enough to score one of the private cabanas (which we did) you’ll have adequate seating for people, private mats to layout on as well as a hammock. The service can be a bit slow at times, but the atmosphere makes up for it. Within the club there is also a small pool for children and a beachwear/gift shop. If you eat only one thing here get the charred Queijo Qualho as it is the single snack I look forward to the most during any visit to the North East of Brazil.

We liked this beach club because it had clean facilities, nice chairs and unbrellas, and a shower to clean off the sand before we got into the car. The bathrooms were clean and the beach sand was not littered with straws, cups etc. the water...in the area in front of the beach was calm, and great for swimming. Since we only had drinks, I can't comment on the food. There was someone available to help with finding a place to park, and who put cardboard on the front windshield, which kept the car cooler. We thought that for our purposes, this was one of the nicest beach club in the area.

We came here two afternoons in a row. Service was great from the start, with the manager telling us if they'd like to go in anyway even though it was near closing, but that we could still order, eat and drink there. There was some...live music going on, perfectly matching the mood of a lazy afternoon with the ocean and sand as the main view from the seats in this place. I got to tell you, I expected snacks like in any other place, nothing great. I'm glad I was wrong, the snacks were delicious and original as well. Some were like different versions of local classic dishes, others were very new altogether. On the second afternoon, the owner approached us to ask if everything was going OK, and we chatted for a while. He runs the place with his wife, and I hope to visit it again whenever I'm there. As I told him in person and I'll say it here again, I wish this place was open until later. It closes between and PM. Could set up some torches, some music to fit the mood, and just let people eat, drink, and rest after a exhausting day at the beach.

Entrance It will cost you R$ per person. I am unaware if children have to pay. Infrastructure The place has a small swimming pool for kids, seats by the beaches, lager tables with hammocks over a sand deck and tables by the...bar. Be aware that the tide rises quite early in Maceio, therefore you will need to move from the tables by the beach. I recommend to arrive early and get the tables with hammocks. Prices The price and quality does not match. Warning, you might get disappointed in the end of the day. We only had snacks (we did not want to risk having lunch). Each portion was more disappointing than the other. Too oily for Brazilian standards or too small for the price. Drinks are also over priced compared to other bars. Service It was okay. We had to chase a waiter a couple of times when the place got busy. Beach I do not recommend. This part of Barra de São Miguel is not good. I took from the ocean broken bottles, cans of beers, plastic leads and other artificial things. There is a strong current around lunch time and quite a bit of sea urchins closer to the rock barrier. The water is not clear and I notice a bit of boat oil some places. Overall I do not recommend that area. Not only because the bar but rather all the other factors including the state of the beach. If a nice thing can be said, when the tide is raising and you walk on the beach towards the right side facing the ocean, you will find a Mangue'. Nice picture opportunity when the trees meet the ocean.

Most beach bars I saw at Barra de Sao Miguel had those ugly colored plastic furniture which can destroy any beautiful landscape. Praero was the only one I saw with a nicer set. Food is ok and restrooms are clean. So, it is probably the...best place to spend a day at the beach, unless you are staying at some friend´s home ;