Recife Pernambuco Recife Time: Brasilia s official time Average Annual Temperature: 26 ºC Climate: Tropical Airports: Internacional dos Guararapes (4 km from downtown) Recife, capital of Pernambuco state, was settled about 1535, captured by the English in 1595, and occupied by the Dutch from 1630 to 1654. Recife is known as the Brazilian Venice because of its many canals and waterways and innumerable bridges that span them. The city, with over 1,5 million inhabitants, is spread over three islands at the confluence of 2 rivers, the Capibaribe and Beberibe. It is the major gateway to the Northeast, with regular flights to all major cities in Brazil as well as Lisbon, London and Frankfurt. One of the delights of a visit to Recife is the 18th and 19th century town houses, reflecting the impact of the Dutch era and brightly colored colonial bridges. Recife s sister city Olinda, only 6km from it, was the original Dutch settlement destroyed during the Portuguese takeover. Olinda was rebuilt high on a hill and is a fine example of traditional Portuguese architecture. The baroque churches with its stone façades and the steeply cobblestone streets are quite charming. The city was recently designated a historical monument by UNESCO. Year round the weather is warm-to-hot, usually with high humidity. The saving grace is the reliable trade wind, which keeps the oceanfront breezy and pleasant. International cuisine is available as well as succulent fish dishes typical of the region. Fresh coconut water is found everywhere. Close by is Piedade Beach and further out are the unspoiled beaches of Tamandaré, São José da Coroa Grande, Maria Farinha and Porto de Galinhas. The sun shines brighter in Recife than anywhere else and the beaches are undoubtedly among the loveliest in the Northeast. 157
Eating out Going shopping Bargarço Av. Boa Viagem, 670 - Pina Seafood. People come to this pleasant restaurant for moquecas pernambucanas (fish stew). Casa da Cultura Rua Floriano Peixoto, s/n São José Built in 1848, this former house of detention was restored and nowadays it holds handcrafts shops, restaurants, auditoriums, museums, expositions and handcrafts classes. O Amphitrião Rua Bom Jesus, 183 - Recife Antigo In Recife Antigo, O Amphitrião stands out for its special dish cooked with shrimps. Leite Praça Joaquim Nabuco, 147 - Santo Antônio Established in 1882, Leite is one of Brazil s oldest restaurants. Roasted lamb is the specialty. Famíllia Giuliana Av. Domingos Ferreira, 3980 - Boa Viagem The house is an imitation of a medieval castle with 5 ambiences and 3 floors. The seafood fettuccine is an excellent choice. Where to go for a drink? O Biruta Rua Bem-Te-Vi, 15 - Pina It s a great place to watch the sunset over the beach. Boteco Av. Boa Viagem, 1660 - Boa Viagem Chilled draft beer, tasty snacks, and excellent service make Boteco one of the most popular bars in town. GLS - Galeria Joana D arc Rua Herculano Bandeira, 500 - Pina Cluster of small cafés and bars, among them Café Poire, Anjo Solto, Barnabé and Oriente Médio. Mercado São José Praça Dom Vital, s/n - São José Vendors sell fruits, vegetables, candies, regional drinks, clothes and handcrafts. Shopping Center Recife Rua Padre Carapuceiro, 777 - Boa Viagem This enormous venue is the perfect place for a day of shopping. Shows Budega Club Av. Conselheiro Rosa e Silva, 1834 Jaqueira Shows of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), Jazz, Blues, and DJs playing music of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Calypso Rua Real da Torre, 849 - Torre It is the place to dance live music ranging from Caribbean rhythms to Forró. Fashion Club Av. Fernando Simões Barbosa, 266 - Boa Viagem It s a hot spot Wednesday through Sunday, with a DJ, laser show, great dance floor, and three pubs. Services & Tours REC 01 Transfer in/out One way transfer to or from Guararapes Airport, including assistance and porterage (2 pieces per person). 158
Services & Tours REC 02 HD City tour Recife and Olinda Driving the streets of old Recife with its turn-of-century buildings, and attractions such as Governor s Palace, Hall of Justice, St. Isabel Theater. Proceed to Casa da Cultura, a former prison converted to a craft market. Former cells turned into shops display the best of our artisans workmanship. Local gifts and typical souvenirs. Afterwards, we wind through the Amsterdam of Brazil towards Olinda, the old capital perched on hills only 4 miles north of Recife that is a national and world heritage city with impressive views and dozens of centuries-old churches amidst colonial houses. Then we will continue to Boa Viagem, a sophisticated residential section and urban summer resort with its reef-rimmed tidal pools, modern buildings and sandy beaches. REC 03 FD Porto de Galinhas with Lunch A beach with crystal clear water and protected by reefs just 40 km south of Recife. A drive through sugarcane plantations, coconut groves and rural communities takes us to this renowned vacation spot and fishermen s village. Lunch will be served at a typical restaurant. REC 04 FD Igarassu and Itamaracá with Lunch Igarassu is a little town 20 miles north of Recife, a former trading post and the first settlement of the Portuguese people in the early colonial times. There we will see the Church of Saints Cosme and Damian, the oldest still standing one in Brazil dating back 1535. Tour includes a visit to Itamaracá Island with its untouched mangrove area, coconut palm fringed beaches, a welcoming warm sea and the famous Fort Orange, built by the Dutch in 1631. Free time for swimming after lunch or lazing around. Dorisol Recife Grand Hotel Location On Piedade beach. 5 minutes far from the airport and with easy access to the famous beaches of the region, commercial centers, bars and restaurants. Rooms 198 deluxe rooms and suites with a wonderful view to the sea, equipped with air conditioning. safe box, cable TV, music, telephone and mini bar. Features 6 options of Bars and Restaurants. Direct access to the beach, 2 swimming pools facing the sea, sauna, fitness center and business center. Meeting facilities: largest room with capacity to host 300 www.dorisol.com.br 159
Recife Palace Hotel Location Beachfront, on Boa Viagem Beach, 5 minutes away from Guararapes International Airport and 10 minutes far from the city center. Rooms 295 rooms equipped with air conditioning, AM/FM radio, color TV, satellite antenna, mini bar and direct dialing telephone. Features Basilico Ristorante, Coffee Shop, Captain s Table Bar, Lobby bar, pool bar, swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, massage, business center and baby sitting. Meeting facilities: largest room with capacity to hold 600 www.lucsimhoteis.com.br Mar Hotel Recife Location 5 minutes far from Recife Guararapes International Airport and 3 blocks away from Boa Viagem beach. Rooms 207 rooms with balcony equipped with air conditioning, safe box, mini bar, telephone, color/cable TV. Features Restaurant, bar, poolside bar, Business Center, Tam Airlines check in counter, dry sauna, games room, 3 swimming pools, gym, meeting facilities largest room with capacity to hold 700 www.marhotel.com.br Atlanta Plaza Hotel Location In front of Boa Viagem beach. 5 km far from the airport and 15 minutes away from the city center. Rooms 231 rooms equipped with air conditioning, safe box, mini bar, telephone, color/cable TV. Non-smoking rooms. Features Restaurant, bar, poolside bar, beach service, business center, swimming pool, gym and panoramic lifts opening to the beach. Meeting facilities: largest room with capacity to hold 200 www.atlanteplaza.com.br 160
Internacional Palace ««««Location In front of Boa Viagem beach, 10 minutes far from downtown Recife and Guararapes International Airport. Rooms 248 rooms equipped with air conditioning, radio, color/cable TV, mini bar, direct dial telephone. Features Arrecifes Restaurant, Coffee-Shop, Lobby Bar, swimming pool. Meeting facilities: largest room to hold 130 www.lucsimhoteis.com.br Blue Tree Towers ««««Location Located facing Piedade Beach, 10 minutes far from the airport, 5 minutes away from Boa Viagem beach. Rooms 180 comfortable rooms with view to the ocean, balcony, air conditioning, cable TV, safe box and mini bar. Features Restaurant, bar, kiosk, Swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, massage and beach service. Meeting room with capacity to hold 80 www.bluetree.com.br Best Western Manibu Recife «««Location At walking distance: 100 meters of Boa Viagem Beach, 5 km far from the city center. Rooms 150 rooms and suites equipped with cable TV, air conditioning, safe box, telephone, mini bar and radio. Features 2 restaurants, 2 bars, sauna, beach service, swimming pool, fitness center and solarium. Meeting facilities: capacity to hold 250 www.hotelmanibu.com.br 161