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Which is better: Caldas Novas or Maragogi?

Short answer

Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Maragogi is on the Alagoas Coast (AL): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; Maragogi: the Brazilian Caribbean. For this month's weather, Maragogi has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in MaragogiMaragogi Natural Pools Boat Tour★ 9.7 · 18 reviews · from US$ 26 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Caldas Novas Maragogi
Best time to visit May → Aug Oct → Dec
Weather this month 33° · 11 days of rain 30° · 10 days of rain
By car R$ 113 · from Goiânia R$ 72 · from Maceió
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Family, Relax, Romantic Relax, Family, Romantic
Choose Caldas Novas if

you want a trip for families and relaxation: naturally hot pools, water parks and the perfect contrast of a dry Cerrado winter.

See guide
Choose Maragogi if

you want a trip for relaxation and families: turquoise sea, a coral barrier and the Galés, natural pools 6 km off the coast.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Caldas Novas or Maragogi

The average nightly rate is around R$ 298 in Caldas Novas and R$ 773 in Maragogi; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Caldas Novas on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas in Caldas Novas 9 · 26 reviews Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas See on Booking → Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel in Caldas Novas 8.7 ★★★ · 39 reviews Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel See on Booking →
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Compare hotels and places to stay in Maragogi on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Maragogi Brisa Exclusive Resort in Maragogi 9.3 ★★★★ · 28 reviews Maragogi Brisa Exclusive Resort See on Booking → Praia Dourada Resort Maragogi in Maragogi 9 ★★★★ · 34 reviews Praia Dourada Resort Maragogi See on Booking →
See all hotels in Maragogi

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Caldas Novas or Maragogi: which is better?
Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Maragogi is on the Alagoas Coast (AL): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; Maragogi: the Brazilian Caribbean. For this month's weather, Maragogi has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Caldas Novas and Maragogi?
The best time to visit Caldas Novas is from May to August; for Maragogi, it is from October to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Goiânia, Caldas Novas is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 113 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Maceió, Maragogi is 125 km (78 mi) and costs about R$ 72 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Caldas Novas or Maragogi?
Averaged over the year, Caldas Novas has 9 rainy days a month and Maragogi has 15. Caldas Novas is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Caldas Novas is December and in Maragogi, June. For temperature, Caldas Novas is the warmer one (average high of 31° versus 30°).
How many days should you spend in Caldas Novas and in Maragogi?
To see the main sights without rushing, Caldas Novas calls for 3–4 days and Maragogi, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Caldas Novas or Maragogi with kids?
Both work with kids: Caldas Novas (hot springs, hot pools, and water parks) and Maragogi (Brazilian Caribbean, natural pools, and Galés). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Caldas Novas has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Caldas Novas: Hot Park, diRoma Acqua Park, Lagoa Termas Parque. In Maragogi: Galés de Maragogi, Antunes Beach, São Bento Beach. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.