Recife travel guide
Recife, capital of Pernambuco, is a large northeastern city crossed by rivers and bridges, with a revitalised historic centre in Recife Antigo around the Marco Zero. Its cultural life is enriched by neighbouring Olinda, a colonial town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and by access to beaches such as Porto de Galinhas. It combines heritage, beach and culture, and works as a gateway to the northeast.
Season by month
When to travel- High season
- Shoulder season
What to do in Recife
- Recife and Olinda approx. 4 h Both cities in one outing; Olinda in the morning, which is when it walks well.
- Extended Recife and Olinda tour approx. 6 h The longer version for a culturally minded client, with more time in each centre.
- Porto de Galinhas and its natural pools approx. 9 h A full day; the tide sets the timing, not the itinerary.
- Recife by night approx. 3 h Recife Antigo lit up, with live music depending on the day of the week.
- A catamaran on the Capibaribe approx. 2 h The city read from its rivers; departures follow the tide and the bridges.
- The Ricardo Brennand Institute approx. 3 h A castle-museum of arms and Dutch-Brazil painting; open Tuesday to Sunday, afternoons only.
- The Paço do Frevo approx. 2 h The frevo museum in Recife Antigo; rehearsals and shows fall on set days.
- Praia dos Carneiros approx. 9 h A river-mouth beach south of the city, calm and shallow; it fills in high season.
Who to offer it to
When to go
The driest, sunniest season runs from September to February; March to August is wetter, especially between May and July. The climate stays warm year-round.
How many days
Two or three nights for Recife and Olinda, or more if a beach stay in Porto de Galinhas is added.
What not to miss
Recife Antigo and the Marco Zero, the historic town of Olinda, the Ricardo Brennand Institute, and the beaches of Porto de Galinhas.
What to offer and why
Three nights in Boa Viagem with Olinda in the morning and a day at Porto de Galinhas. To extend, the southern coast turns the package into a beach stay; for a cultural client, the extended tour pays off more than adding another destination.
When to book
Four to six weeks. For the Carnival week, six to ten months: the bed base is smaller than Rio's or Salvador's and commits just as fast.
Practical and operational
Olinda is covered on foot over cobbles and slopes, so it does not suit a client with reduced mobility — say so before quoting. The airport transfer to Porto de Galinhas is its own product.
How we arrange it
We arrange the Olinda visit with local guides and the transfers to Porto de Galinhas, whose natural pools depend on low tide for the jangada trips.
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Booking & policies
Are the prices shown net or retail?
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How is a booking confirmed?
Most bookings are confirmed immediately and the voucher is emailed within minutes. When a service shows “In process”, RUMBO LIBRE is confirming final availability with the receptive operator at destination — usually within 24 to 48 business hours.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations follow Clause 7 of the Terms: more than 30 days before the service, no penalty and a full refund; 15 to 30 days, 25%; 8 to 14 days, 50%; 3 to 7 days, 75%; less than 72 hours before commencement or a no-show, 100%. Certain destinations — Patagonia, the Amazon region and high-demand dates in peak season — apply stricter terms, stated in the quotation. The schedule above is indicative: the conditions that apply to each booking are those confirmed in the quotation, and may be stricter in high season, on public holidays or where a supplier applies its own policy.
Can dates or passenger names be changed after confirmation?
Amendment requests must reach RUMBO LIBRE at least 72 business hours before the service begins. Changes are managed with the receptive operator subject to availability, and any resulting rate difference applies. For private services, a name change may require re-issuing the booking at the current rate.
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