Brazil

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Recife

Brazil's Venice of rivers, reefs and carnival

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Recife Plan a trip around Brazil

Best time to visit: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Currency: BRL
Time zone: UTC-3
Country: Brazil

Photo: Portal da Copa/ME, CC BY 3.0 br

Recife is the capital of Pernambuco on Brazil's northeastern coast, a city of rivers, islands and more than 50 bridges with a historic Dutch-Portuguese centre and long urban beaches. People come for the beaches, colonial architecture, Carnival and food, and to use it as a base for Olinda and Porto de Galinhas.

Largest cities

São Paulo
Rio de Janeiro
Brasília
Salvador
Fortaleza

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Brazil
Capital: Brasília
City population: 1.5M
Population of Brazil: 214.2M
Country area: 8,515,767 km²
Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL) · 1 USD ≈ 5 BRL
Time zone: UTC-3
Calling code: +55
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 11 m
Plugs: A / B / C · 127V / 220V
Emergency numbers: 190 (police) · 192 (ambulance) · 193 (fire)
Best time to visit: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	29°	29°	29°	29°	28°	27°	27°	27°	27°	28°	29°	29°
Low	24°	25°	24°	24°	24°	23°	22°	22°	23°	24°	24°	24°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$33
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$82
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$200

Plan a trip to Recife

Top things to do

Free
Boa Viagem Beach
Walk or swim along 8 km of white sand backed by hotels and kiosks, with coconut water and food vendors; swim inside the reef line and expect insistent sellers.
- Half day
- Boa Viagem
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Recife Antigo historic walk
Explore the old port island with colonial buildings, the Malakoff Tower and the waterfront, and stay for bars and music in the evening.
- Half day
- Recife Antigo (Old Recife)
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Casa da Cultura
A former prison converted into a cultural centre and craft market, good for local art, souvenirs and a break from the heat.
- Half day
- Santo Antônio and São José
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Mercado de São José
A 19th-century iron market with food, herbs and handicrafts; go in the morning for the fullest stalls and keep bags close.
- Half day
- Santo Antônio and São José
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $10
Instituto Ricardo Brennand
A castle-like museum with armour, art and gardens in the green west zone; allow time for the grounds and check opening days.
- Half day
- West Zone (Zona Oeste)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $5
Museu-Oficina Francisco Brennand
A ceramic workshop and sculpture park set in Atlantic Forest remnants, with large outdoor works and a quiet atmosphere.
- Half day
- West Zone (Zona Oeste)
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Olinda day trip
A UNESCO World Heritage colonial town 7 km north with steep streets, churches, art studios and views back to Recife; go early and wear comfortable shoes.
- Full day
- Recife Antigo (Old Recife)
- Good for kids
≈ $25
Porto de Galinhas day trip
A beach about 60 km south repeatedly voted among Brazil's best, with natural pools and reef boats; book a tour or driver and start early to avoid traffic.
- Full day
- Boa Viagem
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

British citizens can visit Brazil without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism; other nationalities should check their own visa requirements, as many can enter visa-free or with an e-visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, and you should ensure it is stamped on entry. For the most current rules, check the official Brazilian government immigration page or your nearest Brazilian embassy.

Official website

From the airport

Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) is close to the city, with direct flights from several Brazilian cities and from Lisbon, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Asunción, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. The MetroRec subway has an Aeroporto stop on the south line into downtown, and bus 033 runs to Boa Viagem in about 15 minutes and the centre in about 30; taxis and Uber are also ava

Getting around

Buses and the MetroRec subway cover the main areas, with taxis and Uber useful for beaches and evenings.

Local tips

Swim only where locals swim and avoid the water beyond the reef, as the coastline has a history of shark attacks.
Dress light and casual; it is hot and humid year round, with rain from April to August.
Carry small notes and coins for buses, markets and beach vendors, and use cards in malls and hotels.
Keep valuables out of sight and use registered taxis or Uber at night, especially away from the beachfront.

Areas worth knowing

Boa Vista
Boa Viagem
West Zone (Zona Oeste)
Recife Antigo (Old Recife)
Santo Antônio and São José

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 29, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK