Atlante Plaza Hotel

Dirty City

by ccmfarias

Recife is a considered a big city, and as a big city( over a million and a half people) it does has problems. The traffic is terrible with not a lot of signs, there are a lot of young boys and gilrs on the streets asking for money. I would not go there. Instead a would go to Natal or Joao Pessoa. They has much to offer for much less money Olinda is a city close to recife that has beautiful churches. Even if you are not religious, it is worthy to pay a visit to these beautiful historical constructions.

Boa Viagem- The wealthy Boa...

by Slydevil

Boa Viagem- The wealthy Boa Viagem district provides a good home base. This waterfront area is Recife's real center, possessing both the city's finest beach and a wealth of fine restaurants. Much of Recife's nightlife is here, as well as in Graças. From there, the old city can be explored as well.

Sao Jose

by kaloz

Returning from Olinda, I found myself in Sao Jose which was a lot of fun. Here there are many colorful buildings, many people out and about, and just a fun place to stroll around. While in Recife there is more to do than the beach and a trip to Olinda. Keep your options open.

R E C I F E - O L I N D A

by schurlif

"SITE OF THE VERY FIRST SYNAGOGUE IN THE AMERICAS"

When Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvarez Cabral made a big "curve" to the west , then south and then planned to go east to bypass Africa rapidly on his way to Asia....... he discovered Brazil , at Easter of the year 1500.....
Supposedly allready then there were a few Novos Cristões on the ship , Jews that had been forced to accept Catholicism in order to survive..... It took some time untill Recife was founded but around 1630 the Dutch invaded Pernambuco and took over Recife. With the Dutch arrived orthodox Jews who built around that year ( 1630) the first synagogue of the Americas , Kahal Zur Israel . Here's a picture of the street in old colonial Recife where it was located. This picture is from my first trip , some 10 years ago , when they had not yet rediscovered the synagogue , but on the synagogues arquitecture site it says it was rediscovered and totally refurbished and put into its original condition in 2001. The Dutch were expelled in 1654 and the Jews moved on , for fear of the inquisition , to what was called then New Amsterdam , today NYC..... If you're interested in the architectural plants and pictures of the newly renovated synagogue look at http://www.arcoweb.com.br/arquitetura/arquitetura316.asp

"PRAIA DA BOA VIAGEM"

This picture , I have to admit , is a scanned post card , but how could I have taken a picture like this from the air...? You can see parts of the reef after which Recife ( = reef ) was named... This is the top Recife beach with all 4 and 5 star hotels and the action.....Almost unbelievable how the big Northeastern capitals are fresh looking , modern and rich cities , given the fact that Brazils Northeast is considered economically poor and way back in its infrastructure. Way , way in the background you have a glimpse of Olinda , the sister city of Recife, just north of the river , can you see it...?

"OLINDAS OLD ( BAROQUE ? ) CHURCHES"

Just like in Salvador and Penedo / Alagoas , Olinda has an array of 16th and 17th centuries built churches , except here , they seem to be swallowed by the lush tropical flora... Olindas historical , architectural and colonial district is well worth a visit. We , the group , stayed at a pousada ( = inn ) that was partially built into some rocks on top of the hill overlooking historical Olinda.

Observe on the picture the reef on the left.....

Recife Antiguo....

by Maillekeul

The lighthouse and a biker...

Le phare et le velocycliste...

The main place of Recife Antiguo, totally empty on this early morning.... Is anybody living there ?

La place principale du Recife Antiguo, completement vide, au petit matin ... Mais y a-t-il de la vie, ici ?

A big boat and some kids..

Un gros bateau et quelques gosses...

A nice street, full of small shops : that is probably a lot more noisy at night...

Une jolie petite rue pleine de petites echoppes : ca doit etre bien plus bruyant, a la nuit venue...

Colourful buildings....

Des edifices colores...

The bridge to Recife...

Le pont qui mene a Recife...

Recife, from Recife Antiguo..

Recife, depuis le Recife Antiguo...

A church in Recife (OK, I have to admit that I have passed a few minutes in the real Recife...)

Une eglise dans Recife (OK, je dois admettre que j'ai passe quelques minutes dans le downtown de Recife...)