Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Recife, Brazil

I added Recife to my itinerary when I traveled around Brazil. I wanted to see other cities in the country other than the famous ones such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. I had a good time during my short stay in Pernambuco.  

You can spend a few days exploring Recife.

Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Recife

 

Recife is the capital of Pernambuco, Brazil. It is one of the largest urban areas not just in its region, but all of Brazil. The Portuguese founded the city in the 16th century. It used to be a prominent player in sugar production during the colonial epoch. The Dutch managed to take Recife from the Portuguese and named it Mauritssad. However, the Portuguese managed to recapture the city. The city's long coastline and proximity to other beach destinations have made it a holiday destination for both Brazilians and foreigners that are exploring the country. The climate reminded me so much of the Philippines. 

Do You Need a Visa for Brazil?

For Filipino passport holders like myself, Brazil is a visa-free country. It's been atop my travel bucket list for some years now and I finally got to visit. Many other countries share this privilege. Check reliable sources if you can enter Brazil without a visa. However, I did have to transit through a country that requires a visa for Filipinos. I stayed in Spain and Czechia for a few days before my trip to Brazil. 

How to Get to Recife

Recife is a major Brazilian city and is the capital of Pernambuco. It has its own international airport. I saw a few direct flights to Recife from Portugal when I was planning my itinerary. You can find direct flights to Recife from other major cities in Brazil. Some flights operate daily while others aren't so frequent. You can also travel by land if you have the time. There are overnight buses from other cities within Brazil. I check flight aggregator sites such as www.trip.com or Skyscanner. In my case, it was easier to book flights within Brazil using a third-party site such as www.trip.com. Book your flights in advance to get the lowest possible fare.

Things to Do in Recife

Recife is a great destination to add to your itinerary when you decide to visit Brazil. You can just just go at a chill pace, check out a few attractions, hang out at the cafes and restaurants, beach bum, or use the city as a base to explore other destinations in the region. 

Boa Viagem

Boa Viagem is one of the most affluent districts in Recife. It's a popular spot for both locals and visitors. This stretch of beach is lined with high-rise buildings, restaurants, and hotels. There are also nearby shopping centers. I spent some time here just lazing and walking around. 

Bom Jesus Street

This short street is a historic spot because it is one of the oldest streets in the Americas. It is home to some of the best examples of colonial architecture in the region. A walk along this street takes you back in time. It is within the city's old historic center. The area displays the city's rich European heritage. 

Paço do Frevo

I didn't know anything about Frevo before going to Brazil. I only discovered about it when I met a Brazilian that was part of a group that performed cultural dances. I was curious enough to learn more about this when I visited Recife. Frevo is a musical style and dance that originated from Recife. It is usually associated with Carnival, especially in Pernambuco. One of its most recognizable characteristic is the use of colorful umbrellas during a performance. You'll find displays, activities, and exhibits related to Frevo in the center.

Recife Antigo

This historic neighborhood is a local and tourist hot spot. Centuries old buildings surround the center and you'll also find a variety of places to eat and shop around the area. The Portuguese and the Dutch had their own settlements in Recife several centuries ago. 

Marco Zero

This little landmark is a marker for the place where the Portuguese established Recife back in the 16th century. The marker is in the old town where you'll also find architectural vestiges of the city's colonial era. 

Day Trip to Olinda

If you're looking for a place lost in time, Olinda is it. It's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a convenient destination to reach from Recife. I took an Uber to reach it then I took the public bus going back. The historic center is full of charm characterized by old churches, chapels, convents, and buildings. There's also plenty of shops and restaurants. The Portuguese founded Olinda in the 16th century. It used to be a center for the sugarcane industry centuries ago. Olinda is also a popular place that celebrates Carnival. There's plenty of music, street parties, and celebrations during that time. 

Getting around Recife

The most recommended way to get around any big city in Brazil is to use Uber. It's affordable and gets you from point A to B safely. I'm sure you've read about (I have as well) the crime in big cities in this side of the world. Some of it's overblow, but it's better to be cautious. I didn't feel the danger as much, but that's because I'm from the Philippines. Just take precautions when you're out at night. You can also use the metro and the buses to get around the city. They're cheap and it's the way most locals get around the city. I took the bus to Recife from Olinda and didn't get into any trouble. 

Where to Stay in Recife

I found Recife an affordable city to visit. There's a number of places to stay that's budget-friendly (the city has a few hostels). I often stay in a hostel dorm because I'm out most of the day anyway. I often use www.booking.com when I book an accommodation.

Budget for Recife

Overall, Recife is an affordable city if you're comparing it with other places in Brazil. In my opinion, Rio de Janeiro is the most expensive city in the country. 

Here's a breakdown of my expenses during my trip around Recife and Olinda:

505 - 3 nights accommodation (I spent a night in a hotel and the rest of the days in a hostel dorm room)

416 - Food and drinks

80 - Transportation

10 - Museum entrance fee

51 - Miscellaneous                     

1062 - Total

You can spend more or less than that depending on your travel style and interests. I mostly just hung out while I was in Recife. I met up with a friend who lives there as well. The city is next to a beach, which makes it a noteworthy addition to your itinerary, if you're a beach person. However, it does get really hot and humid (which reminds me so much of the weather in the Philippines). 

Itinerary for Recife

Here's a sample itinerary for a short trip to Recife.

Day 1 

Spend a day relaxing in Boa Viagem

Day 2 

Explore Recife Antigo

Paco de Frevo

Praça do Marco Zero

Instituto Ricardo Brennand 

Day 3 

Trip to Olinda

This is a bare bones itinerary which you can either add or subtract to. You can spend more days in Recife as you visit other places in Pernambuco. The region is interesting. However, I didn't have enough time to see everything. This was more of an introductory trip.