The eastern coastal town of Aracaju is the capital of Brazil's Sergipe State. It stands about 2 miles north of Salvador and 1,13 miles north of Rio. The Aeroporto de Aracaju-Santa Maria is just to the south of the city. Visitors who hire a car in Aracaju will be able to tour this popular coastline of long beaches and river mouths. Inland, the highlights include seeing the sea turtles at the Oceanário de Aracaju at the Tamar Biological Reserve and the exotic birds at the Parque dos Falcões. The Afro-Brazilian Museum at Laranjeiras is considered an important local cultural sight and, in the same town, the Museum of Sacred Art, housed in a 19th-century colonial house, has a stunning collection of religious icons.
If you hire a car in Aracaju be sure to visit the impressive town square dominated by the soaring cathedral and the historic quarter. Don't miss the lively Museu da Gente Sergipana state museum or the Mercado Municipal - a colourful place to eat or haggle with stall-holders. After the city centre, head for the long straight sandy stretches of the beaches with their restaurants, sports facilities and party style. Look out for Croa do Goré, a perfect white sandy island in the river with pop-up seafood restaurants on the beach.
