Making the most of Recife
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships dock in the commercial harbor of Recife and must shuttle passengers from the port facility. No one is allowed to walk through the port facilities and there is no cruise ship terminal and associated services. The shuttle will take you into downtown Recife to a large shopping mall where taxis are located for further travel.
Distance 3 kilometers from downtown Recife.
Printable map to take along.
Recife, located in northeast Brazil, is the capital of Pernambuco state. The city is one of the largest in Brazil and is known as the 'Venice of Brazil' on account of the canals and waterways which crisscross the city. It is well endowed with churches and is also a popular beach resort with a fine waterfront lined with restaurants. Recife takes its name from the Portuguese word for reef, due to the city's location behind a protective coral reef.
Getting around
Recife Antigo (Old Town): Stroll through the cobblestone streets, admire colonial architecture, visit the Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue (the first synagogue in the Americas), and explore Praça do Marco Zero, the city's historic center.
Tourists are more at risk from pickpockets and bag snatchers, so stay alert to your surroundings and be sure to take the usual precautions.
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are widely available and convenient for getting around the city.
Nearby places
Rivers and lagoons make this a tropical Venice of canals and bridges. Take time out to explore Recife's many churches and markets, or make for the beach at Boa Viagem – it rivals Rio's Copacabana. Just a few miles away is the artists' mecca of Olinda. Its streets are filled with baroque masterpieces which, patiently restored, have earned the city UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site.
The beaches are not clean an are shark infested.
Food and shopping
There is a large shopping center in Recife, which also houses ten cinemas and numerous restaurants. There are also several markets in the city, selling traditional handicrafts, such as rugs, carved wood, ceramics and jewelry.
Also located near the Old Town area is the unique Prison Mall. This was Recife's prison at one time and has since been converted to a shopping mall. The shops are located in what were once the cells of the prison.
Fresh coconut is available everywhere and many dishes come with a delicious coconut sauce.
Money
Brazilian Real
Staying connected
Portuguese spoken.
Cafes which offer free WiFi for customers are sparse.
Opening Hours and
Basic hours for most stores and businesses are from 9am to 6pm, with an extended lunch hour from around noon to 2pm.
Many museums are closed on monday.