Hotel Aconchego Recife

Ilha do amor.

by cachaseiro

A little bit south of Recife there is a small island called Ilha do amor.
It's an uninhabited island with a coconut plantation and a couple of empty beaches.
It's a nice place to go if you like to have a beach for yourself.
You are unlikely to meet other people than a couple of guys looking after the coconut plantation.
The only transport to the island is by fishing boat.
Get a local fisherman to take you over there and arrange a time to be picked up again.

Santo Antonia

by kaloz

I like to send many postcards. If you picked up the local paper in the last tip, use it to color your postcards by sending them in the language of the places you visit. I copy the headlines onto my postcards. Foreign newspapers are fairly easy to read, even if you do not speak the language. You may now get every word, but you can get the gist of the story so that you do not send anything disturbing "Three killed in motor accident". This is a fancy letterbox outside the Correios in Santo Antonio.

A big city that is off the beaten path

by kaloz

"Often Overlooked"

Recife (Pronounced Hey-Ceef-A) is a destination that many may have been to but I consider off the beaten path because those who travel here either spend their time at the famous beach, Boa Viagem, or in the hamlet of Olinda which is very charming. This leaves precious little time for Recife itself. Because of some canals near the shore, you may hear Recife referred to as the "Venice of Brasil" but I think these divides are more in the nature of "New York of Brasil" with different boroughs to visit on different islands.

"Boa Vista"

Across the Rio Capibaribe is the districts of Boa Vista and Coelhos. I had a brief visit to Boa Vista which is a bustling place with lots of people and lots of activity. Along the river you may see fishermen repairing their nets which is always a good photo op. Coming from a fishing village myself this scene is near and dear to my heart. Walking further inland, Boa Vista would be the heart of Recife with many businesses and museums and parks. It is a wonderful place to get lost in.

"Santo Antonio & Sao Jose"

I exchanged money (Cambio) and bought stamps (Correios = Post Office) in Santo Antonio which is at the tip of the island across from Boa Vista. Then went for a side trip to Olinda (Orinda). On the return I visited Sao Jose further down the island which was a more colorful section of town and I would say is the soul of Recife.

kathyceo's new Recife Page

by kathyceo

We were in Racife during, or actually, after Carnival. At least Carnival was over every place else in Brazil, but in Recife, it lasts for about five days longer! Everyone was still dancing in the streets, many streets closed, with police directing both people and traffic. It was amazing!