Where to stay in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil: a local’s guide

As someone who was born and raised in Pernambuco, the beautiful state in Brazil’s Northeast coast where Porto de Galinhas is located, I grew up going to this beach every summer. So I’ve had the chance to stay in resorts, inns, flats, guesthouses and hostels in different locations there. The good news for those who are wondering where to stay in Porto de Galinhas is that the accommodation types there are, as you can see, quite varied.

In this article, I’ll recommend the best places to stay in Porto de Galinhas and surrounding beaches, based on my personal experience and that of my friends and relatives. But first, let’s talk about the different areas where you can stay.

Most of the accommodation options in Porto de Galinhas and surroundings are in these locations:

• The village of Porto de Galinhas (where you will find most restaurants, bars, shops and travel agencies);
• Praia de Muro Alto (a small beach further north, with calm waters which make it perfect for families with children);
• Praia do Cupe (halfway between Muro Alto and Porto de Galinhas; in some areas the ocean is agitated and possibly dangerous, but in Pontal do Cupe you’ll find natural swimming pools);
• Praia de Maracaípe (further south, it’s surfers’ favorite but also has a nice, tranquil area called Pontal, where the ocean meets the river – which is the perfect spot for watching the sunset).

Throughout this entire coastline, you will find everything from fancy resorts and hotels to charming guesthouses, flats, and cheaper inns and hostels.

Personally, I find the village of Porto de Galinhas a bit messy and the main beach is usually super crowded, and beachside restaurants and beach stalls tend to be expensive. I prefer to stay in any of the other beaches, but my personal favorite is Maracaípe.

Up until a few years ago, there weren’t hardly any restaurants or bars open there at night, which meant driving or taking a taxi or Uber to the village for dinner, but now there are quite a few options.

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Where to stay in Porto de Galinhas

Where to stay in Muro Alto beach

Most of the resorts in Porto de Galinhas are actually located in Muro Alto, a quiet beach that is very good for families. On this stretch of the coast, the reefs form a delightful natural pool. Several parts of the beach end up being occupied only by guests of the hotels and flats located there, because the access by car or by foot isn’t so easy.

One of the highest-end options of where to stay in Porto de Galinhas is located in this region: the Nannai Resort, which even offers bungalows with a private pool. I’ve heard very good things about their kids’ space and the food, especially the breakfast buffet, afternoon tea and dinner buffet (all included in the reservation).

Another favorite, especially among those traveling with children, is the Summerville Beach Resort, which also has a recreation team and good leisure and sports facilities.

In Muro Alto you will also find flat condominiums with apartments available for short-term rent. Some good examples are Nannai Residence (which is separate from the resort; I’ve stayed there and loved it), Ekoara Residence, and Marupiara Suites.

Click here to see more accommodation options in Muro Alto Beach.

Where to stay in Praia do Cupe

Praia do Cupe is busier, and as I said before, in part of this beach you will find signs advising against swimming, due to treacherous currents. In some stretches, however, natural pools form, attracting those looking for a calmer vibe. To stay closer to this area, I recommend you choose accommodation near the part called Pontal do Cupe.

Some examples of nice places to stay in this area are the all-inclusive Ocaporã Hotel and beautiful Pousada Tabapitanga, both on the seafront. I’ve stayed in Tabapitanga and it was excellent.

A little further away, but still in a walking distance to the best part of the beach, you will find the hotels Vivá Porto de Galinhas Resort, Village Porto de Galinhas and Marupiara Resort.

I’ve also heard great things about the cool Kembali Hotel Porto de Galinhas, which is known for its modern decor: each room has a different style, with themes like Bali, Spa, Music, and Retro. Another good choice around there, a bit closer to the village of Porto de Galinhas, is a well-known hotel called Armação.

Where to stay in Porto de Galinhas’ village center

If you are looking for where to stay in Porto de Galinhas itself, you’ll mostly find small inns and guesthouses. As a child, I used to stay with my family almost every summer at an inn called Quatro Estações.

Other options with a good reputation there are Porto e Mar, with equipped apartments and chalets; Som dos Pássaros, which has a score of 9.1 on Booking; and the charming Charme da Vila, with a rating of 9.7 and very close to the beach.

In case you’re looking for a hostel in Porto de Galinhas, either for saving money or for meeting other travelers, a good pick is Che Lagarto Hostel Porto de Galinhas.

Click here to see more accommodation options in Porto de Galinhas near the village center.

Where to stay in Maracaípe

Most young people love Maracaípe beach (a.k.a. Maraca), the surfers’ hotspot. I like it there because the stretch of sand is large, there are simple beach bars that don’t charge a minimum consumption for sitting in their chairs and food is usually cheaper. Furthermore, the sunset at Pontal de Maracaípe, where the river meets the sea, is beautiful.

If you have a looser budget and want to enjoy the seaside, I recommend Pousada Xalés de Maracaípe, which has a big garden in an old coconut farm, with rustic but well-maintained facilities. Don’t expect great luxuries, but having breakfast and swimming in a pool facing the sea is totally worth it. I stayed there a couple of times and it was super nice.

It isn’t super close to the main beach bars, so be prepared to walk a little. On the other hand, it is a 10-minute walk from Pontal de Maracaípe and right in front of the entrance to Bar do Galo, which is a bar located right in the middle of the mangrove. A fun experience to have in Porto de Galinhas.

I recently stayed at the great Un Paso del Mar, which is even closer to my beloved Pontal de Maracaípe. The structure is great, the breakfast is delicious, the pool is nice and they have a deck facing the sea. It became one of my favorite accommodation options in Maracaípe.

Other interesting choices are the cheap Pousada dos Coqueiros, which has a swimming pool and is located at the beginning of Maracaípe beach, closer to the main bars; beautiful Pousada Maracabana Spa, which has a room with a hydromassage and ocean view; Pousada Flor de Maraca, which is about 10 minutes-walk from the beach, but is quite charming.

I hope you found this article useful! If you have any questions on where to stay in Porto de Galinhas, feel free to ask me on the comments section. And you haven’t done it yet, read my article on the best things to do in Porto de Galinhas. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: if you book your stay through the links in this article, I earn a small commission that allows me to bring more and more content (and you don’t pay anything extra). Transparency is a core value here.