Maceió Airport (Zumbi dos Palmares) serves the capital of the state of Alagoas, famous for the crystal-clear waters of its beaches, approximately 20 km from the city center.
It is the main hub for the tourist coast of Alagoas, including the destinations of Praia do Francês and São Miguel dos Milagres.
How to get to Zumbi dos Palmares Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to MCZ
Parking near Zumbi dos Palmares Airport
The official parking (managed by Estapar) is located in front of the terminal.
9 BRL per hour; booking in advance via the Zul+ app, the daily rate drops to 19.90 BRL (10-day package at 63 BRL).
How to get to Maceió from MCZ
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Zumbi dos Palmares Airport
The major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the Alagoas coast northward.
License, passport, and credit card are the basic documents; the IDP is almost always required.
Hotels near Zumbi dos Palmares Airport
Pajuçara
About 25-30 minutes from the airport by taxi or Uber.
Best for: those who want Pajuçara's natural pools just steps away and the seafront's evening life
- Natural pools and local crafts just steps away
- Restaurants and evening life all along the seafront
- Very busy beach on weekends
- Little parking on the streets behind the seafront
Recommended hotels
- Mercure Maceio Pajuçara On Pajuçara beach, with a regional-cuisine restaurant and a location among the most praised points in reviews. View availability
- Best Western Premier Maceió Beachfront, 400 metres from the natural pools, among Brazil's 25 best hotels according to TripAdvisor for six years running. View availability
- Hotel Brisa Praia Pajuçara On the Pajuçara seafront, with two pools and a panoramic restaurant on the tenth floor often mentioned by guests. View availability
Ponta Verde
About 25 minutes from the airport; downtown is just a few minutes away.
Best for: those who prefer to stay by the beach but closer to downtown and the city's services
- Beach with calm waters and a coral reef
- A few minutes from downtown and city services
- Fewer natural pools than Pajuçara
- Hotels often full in high season
Recommended hotels
- Hotel Ponta Verde Maceió Right across from Ponta Verde beach, with breakfast and a sea view from the restaurant that guests appreciate greatly. View availability
- Hilton Garden Inn Maceio In Ponta Verde, renovated in 2024, with an outdoor pool and spaces described as clean and modern. View availability
Jatiúca
About 30 minutes from the airport, a little further than the other city beaches.
Best for: those seeking a quieter beach without giving up restaurants and bars nearby
- Quieter beach than the other city areas
- Good choice of restaurants and bars nearby
- Fewer natural pools than Pajuçara
- A taxi is still needed to reach downtown
Recommended hotels
Ipioca e Pratagy
50-60 minutes from the airport, on the coast north of Maceió.
Best for: those wanting an all-inclusive resort in isolation, away from the city and the airport
- Less crowded beaches than the city ones
- All-inclusive resorts designed for staying on-site
- Very far from the airport and downtown
- A taxi is needed even just to leave the resort
Recommended hotels
- Salinas Maceió All Inclusive Resort On Ipioca beach, named by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2025 the world's best hotel for families. View availability
- Pratagy Beach All Inclusive Resort On Pratagy beach with its own water park, designed for those who never want to leave the resort. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The journey from check-in to gate takes roughly 10 minutes in this compact terminal.
During busy hours checks lengthen: for international flights it's prudent to arrive 3 hours early.
Map of Zumbi dos Palmares Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What makes Maceió's beaches special?
Their crystal-clear, calm waters, often compared to natural pools, especially the Pajuçara natural pools reachable by boat at low tide.
Q. How do you get to São Miguel dos Milagres from the airport?
With a road transfer of about 1.5-2 hours heading north: check whether your accommodation arranges the transfer directly from the airport.
Q. Why is Maceió airport named after Zumbi dos Palmares?
In honour of the celebrated leader of the Quilombo dos Palmares, the largest settlement of escaped slaves in colonial America, located inland in what is now the state of Alagoas in the 17th century.
Q. What to buy at Maceió duty free?
Filet embroidery handicrafts, the traditional needlework of Alagoas, as well as local cachaça.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights