Parks and the outdoors in Recife

Parks and the outdoors in Recife

1. Drink

   Biruta

   A lovely bar on the north end of the beach that gets a great sea breeze all evening. Get there early to get a table with a view.

2. See

   Boa Viagem Beach

   Praia de Boa Viagem

   Probably one of the world's best urban beaches, with pristine white sands. With 8 km of hotels and restaurants, it is the longest urbanized stretch of beach in Brazil. If you want a tan, you came to the right place. The beach road has a wide walkway attached and this is dotted with huts selling food and drink. Try the traditional "água de coco" (coconut water). The beach is full of vendors selling food and drink. There are also vendors selling t-shirts, hats, suncream, sunglasses. These guys can get a bit insistent. Simply smile and one word will have them on their way: não (pronounced "nawwn"). The beach is somewhat protected by a coral reef wall visible at low tide, making it good for a swim, but don't go out past the wall, as the waters are more dangerous, with sharks reported in the area.

3. Drink

   Entre Amigos

   A bar restaurant with 2 names and 3 seating areas, one of which has air conditioning. Situated in downtown Boa Viagem and a 5 minute walk from the beach. A great place to watch the football or soak up the lively atmosphere of the very busy bar, it has a great buffet for lunch or you can eat à la carte.

4. See

   Museu-Oficina Francisco Brennand

   Great ceramic art in a bucolic area of the city surrounded by forest.

5. See

   Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem

   Our Lady of Good Voyage

   The beach of Boa Viagem takes its name from a small 18th century church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Voyage, the patron saint of travelers and sailors.

6. See

   Parque 13 de Maio

   May 13th Park

   The largest green area in central Recife, with playground equipment, a petting zoo, and illuminated fountains. 24-hour security.

   Free

7. See

   Parque das Esculturas Francisco Brennand

   A sculpture park on the reefs of the port of Recife. Contains more than 90 sculptures by Francisco Brennand, including a 30-m-high tower.

8. Buy

   Paço Alfândega

   A visit to Paço Alfândega is highly recommended. Paço Alfândega (Customs' Palace in Portuguese) is a comfortable, modern shopping mall set in the renovated structure of a colonial customs house building from the early 1700s, during which Recife was the largest port in the Americas. There is a permanent historic exhibition on the history of Recife and the customs building. The mall also houses one of Recife's main nightclubs and some good restaurants. You can have a good view of the Capibaribe River and its bridges from the main terrace.

   Mon-Sat 10:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-20:00

9. See

   Pina Beach

   Praia do Pina

   A well-developed and popular beach north of Boa Viagem Beach. It's a little more relaxed, with weak waves.

10. See Not mapped

    Parque Dois Irmãos

    Two Brothers Park

    A zoo and botanical garden park, with 387 hectares of Atlantic Forest and 14 hectares of botanical gardens. The zoo has around 800 types of animals. The grounds also hold the Natural Science Museum and a number of ecological trails.

    Tue-Sun 08:00-16:00·R$2

11. See Not mapped

    Parque da Jaqueira

    Jaqueira Park

    This park is popular for jogging. It also has bicycle trails, plus live music on Sundays.

    Free

12. See Not mapped

    Princesses' Field Palace

    Palácio do Campo das Princesas

    The state governor's Palace, built in 1841. The name of the building derives from the fact that the daughters of Emperor Dom Pedro II used to play in the palace's gardens.

13. See

    Brasilia Teimosa Beach

    Praia de Brasília Teimosa

    A smaller and less frequented beach near the port.

14. Do Not mapped

    Catamaran Rides in the Capibaribe River

    Catamaran Tours, Cais das Cinco Pontas

    Tour lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes.

    16:00 and 20:00 daily

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Recife (CC BY-SA 4.0).