Brazil's North-East Region
Recife & Olinda Travel Guide
Explore Recife's historic Old Town with its rivers and bridges, and enjoy the vibrant beach and nightlife in Boa Viagem.
Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, is a major cultural and economic hub in Brazil's northeast, known for its canals, bridges, and historic architecture. Its old town, Recife Antigo, features landmarks like the São Pedro dos Clérigos Church and the famous Carnival celebrations. Recife's beaches, such as Boa Viagem, and its proximity to the colonial town of Olinda, offer a mix of urban life and cultural heritage. Many of Recife's beaches are famously unsuitable for swimming due to the frequent presence of sharks.
Top 5 Things to See & Do in Recife & Olinda
Visit Recife Antigo
Explore Instituto Ricardo Brennand
Walk along Boa Viagem Beach
Enjoy Olinda's Sunday mini-carnival
Visit the Capela Dourada
Where is Recife & Olinda, Brazil
Closest airport
Aeroporto Internacional do Recife/Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre (REC)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Integrado de Passageiros (TIP)
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Main ports
How to get to Recife
How to get to Recife by plane
Recife is well connected with frequent bus and flight connections. There are direct international flight connections to Recife from Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Lisbon, and Buenos Aires, and domestic flights to most major cities, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador.
Recife, along with Natal and Fortaleza, is one of only three cities with direct flights to Fernando de Noronha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with restricted access and one of Brazil's most beautiful islands for snorkeling and scuba diving.
How to get to Recife by bus or carpool
Busses connect Recife with many of Brazil's best beaches in the north-east such as:
Porto de Galinhas (1.5 hours) - public bus 191 and 195
João Pessoa (2+ hours) - tickets
Natal (6 hours) - tickets
Click here to see available tickets and timetables for busses to and from Recife's main bus terminal, TIP.
BlaBlaCar, a carpooling app, is also a cheap and convenient way to get around. It is commonly used around the the northeast coast of Brazil and there are usually several rides options available.
How to get to Recife from Olinda
Recife and Olinda are connected by public busses, as well as Uber. There are several public busses connecting the two cities, depending where in Recife you need to go. One option is to take bus 910 from Praca do Carmo to downtown Recife and Boa Viagem. Uber is an inexpensive alternative, especially if travelling in a group.
How to get to Olinda from Recife
From Recife downtown, the best bus is Princesa Isabel - Rio Doce. The bus stop is located across the road from the City Hall. In Olinda, ask to get off at the Post Office Station (map), the best place to start walking around the Historic Center.
From Boa Viagem, the only direct bus is Piedade - Rio Doce. Take the bus at any bus stop along the Avenida Conselheiro Aguiar (this is the first parallel to the beach boulevard) in Olinda, ask the driver to get off in front of the Correios.
How to get to Recife from Pipa
The easiest way to travel between Recife and Pipa is to take a BlaBla Car. There are numerous cars running throughout the day and night, and generally cost less than a bus ticket.
If you prefer to travel by bus, you will first need to travel by minivan to Goianinha. A minivan runs regularly to Goianinha, starting from nearby the supermarket Pai e Filho (map) and arriving at the front of the church called Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres. The van ride takes around 40+ minutes and costs R$5.5. Alternatively, it is possible to take an Uber or 99 to Goianinha from Pipa for around R$40.
From the church, walk 2 minutes down to the main highway and cross to the other side. Check if your ticket has specific pick-up instructions. Most busses stop along the side of the highway. From Goianinha, take a bus 3.5-4 hours to Recife (tickets & timetable).
How to get to Recife from Maragogi
Reaching Recife from Maragogi is more difficult as there is not currently a direct bus (note: the Real Alagoas bus mentioned on some sites no longer runs via Maragogi).
The journey can be made cheaply if you are willing to make some transfers.
First, take a minivan from Maragogi to São José da Coroa Grande (30 minutes)
Next, take a minivan from São José da Coroa Grande to the city of Barreiros (1 hour)
When you arrive in Barreiros take a bus from the bus terminal (Terminal Rodoviário de Barreiros - EPTI) to Recife’s main bus terminal, Rodoviária TIP (2+ hours) - tickets
The minivans from Maragogi to São José, and from São José to Barreiros, both run frequently.
Blabla Car is a good alternative to taking public transport for this route.
How to get around Recife
The easiest way to get around Recife is by metro, however buses can be unreliable. Uber is also available and can be a fast way to get around areas without metro access.
Things to know before you go
Hot Summers: Summers in Recife are extremely hot and humid, with temperatures often soaring into the 90s°F (30s°C). If you’re visiting during the summer months (December to March), it’s essential to bring plenty of sunscreen and light clothes to protect yourself from the strong sun. Staying hydrated is important, so always carry water with you. When booking accommodation, check whether it has air conditioning, as the heat continues into the night.
Olinda’s Mini Carnaval: Just a short trip from Recife, the neighboring city of Olinda hosts a mini Carnaval every Sunday evening throughout the year. The streets of the historic center come alive with local music, colorful costumes, and food stalls offering a variety of delicious street foods. The festival offers a small taste of the famous Carnaval celebrations even if you're visiting outside the official Carnaval season. It's a great opportunity to experience authentic local culture.
Local Cuisine: Recife is known for its Northeastern cuisine, with dishes that include fresh seafood, tapioca, and the famous "bolo de rolo" (a rolled cake with guava paste). Be sure to try some of the local specialties while you’re there, whether at a street vendor, a beachfront kiosk, or a traditional restaurant.
Beaches and Shark Safety: Recife is home to some beautiful beaches, such as Boa Viagem, but it’s important to be aware of safety warnings regarding shark activity in certain areas. Some beaches have restrictions on swimming due to frequent shark sightings. Stick to the designated swimming zones, including the natural tide pools.
Safety: Like any major city, some areas may not be as safe, especially at night. Safe areas, that are more commonly visited by tourists, include the city center, Boa Viagem, Pina, and the neighborhoods of the Zona Sul. Stick to well-lit, busy areas, and avoid walking alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods after dark. If you're visiting popular tourist sites or the beaches, keep an eye on your belongings, and consider using a ride-sharing service at night.
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