Private car from Maceió to Xingó for R$ 1,000: 300 km of backcountry to sail between the rock walls of the São Francisco. Catamaran or speedboat paid separately, on the day.
Alagoas · Departing from Maceió · Private
Private car from Maceió to Xingó for R$ 1,000: 300 km of backcountry to sail between the rock walls of the São Francisco. Catamaran or speedboat paid separately, on the day.
The São Francisco River canyons are in Canindé de São Francisco, in the dry highlands of Sergipe, right on the border with Alagoas. When the Xingó dam held back the river in the 1990s, the water rose between the rocks and formed a navigable emerald-green lake, with sandstone walls up to 50 metres high and stretches where the river reaches 190 metres deep. It is the fifth largest navigable canyon in the world.
We pick you up at your accommodation in Maceió between 4am and 4.30am, depending on where you are staying. It is about 300 km and 4h30 on the road each way, with coffee and toilet stops arranged along the way. The return starts at around 3pm and you are back in Maceió at about 7.30pm. It is a long day, and it is only fair to say so up front: if you don't like being on the road, the Foz do Rio São Francisco will probably suit you better.
The R$ 1,000 covers the private return transport: a car just for your group, air-conditioned, with the driver with you for the whole day. The boat trip through the canyons and meals are paid separately, at the destination.
At the harbour you choose: catamaran at R$ 150 per person or speedboat at R$ 175 per person. Both last about 3h30, go into the canyon, stop for a swim in the waters of the Velho Chico (the river's nickname) and have food and drinks for sale on board. The speedboat is smaller and gets closer to the rock walls; the catamaran is steadier and has shade, which matters in a region that is hot all year round.
If you go by catamaran you can book the all-you-can-eat buffet for R$ 70 per person. If you go by speedboat, lunch is à la carte at Restaurante Castanho, paying for what you order. Neither option is included in the transport price.
For a couple on the catamaran with the buffet, the day comes to around R$ 1,440 in total: R$ 1,000 for the car plus R$ 300 for the boat and R$ 140 for lunch. We put the sum here because we would rather you found out now, not at the harbour.
Only the private return transport from Maceió: a car just for your group, air-conditioned, for the whole day. The boat trip and meals are paid separately, at the destination.
Catamaran R$ 150 per person or speedboat R$ 175 per person, both about 3h30 long with a stop for a swim. Booked at the harbour on the day — you decide there and then.
On the catamaran there is an all-you-can-eat buffet for R$ 70 per person. On the speedboat, lunch is à la carte at Restaurante Castanho, paying for what you order.
About 15 hours: departure from Maceió between 4am and 4.30am and back at around 7.30pm. That is 300 km and 4h30 on the road each way, plus 3h30 on the boat.
No, it is per car: R$ 1,000 for the return transport, whether one person goes or the whole group.
They are two different tours on the same river. The Foz is where the river meets the sea, in Piaçabuçu, 2h30 from Maceió. The canyons are the dammed river in the Sergipe backcountry, 4h30 away, between rock walls.
It is a very long day on the road, leaving before dawn. With small children, the Foz usually gives you more for the same effort — worth talking to us before you book.
Departures are arranged case by case, because the car is just for your group. As it takes a full day, it is worth booking a few days ahead.
The tour runs all year round: the lake level is controlled by the dam. The dry months, September to March, usually mean clearer skies and greener water in the photos.
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