Pontal da Barra sits by the Mundaú Lagoon and is the best place in Maceió to look for filé lace, a colourful embroidery tradition strongly associated with Alagoas. Shops and workshops sell table linens, clothing, and small pieces that are more local than the generic beach souvenirs downtown.
The neighbourhood works well as a short cultural stop between beach time and a lagoon outing. Ask before photographing people working, and buy directly from makers when you can.