Central West

The Central West Region is the heart of Brazil geographically.  It is most famously the home of the country's capital, Brasilia, since the 1960´s.

Tourism in the region includes the capital city itself, with its architecture by Oscar Neimeyer, the country's most famous architect, and, by contrast ,the colonial architecture of historic cities like Pirenópolis.  But the focus of the region are eco-tourism destinations where visitors can enjoy the Region's rich fauna and flora, plus spectacular landscapes.

Amongst the areas of natural beauty are Pantanal, Alta Floresta, Bonito and the Chapada dos Guimarães and Chapada dos Veadeiros National Parks

Brazilia Guide

Brasília, Capital city of Brazil is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  It is famous worldwide for is 1960´s architecture and urban planning. The city's planned design included specific areas for almost everything, including accommodation – Hotel Sectors, North and South. However, new areas are now being developed as locations for hotels, such as the Hotels and Tourism Sector North, located on the shores of Lake Paranoá.

Planning and development of the city by Lúcio Costa, the principal urban planner and Oscar Niemeyer, the principal architect, begn in 1956, and it formally became Brazil's national capital in 1960.  When seen from above, the city's shape resembles an aeroplane or a butterfly.

Brazilia Guide will cover all other destinations in the Central West region.



Northeast

The Northeast of Brazil has a spectacular coastline with many of the best beaches in Brazil. It also benefits from a tropical climate and a twelve-month summer. It was also the region where the first Portuguese settlers arrived.

The major cities in the region today were also the biggest cities then. Salvador was first capital city of Brazil, and the cities of Recife, and nearby Olinda, were major commercial centers due to the thriving sugar cane business.

Each of the major cities, and several of the smaller ones in the region, have spectacular examples of colonial architecture with a strong topical feel. Several buildings and areas are considered to be of great cultural and historic importance by organisations such as UNESCO.

Great beaches, amazing weather and cities of great interest are accompanied by areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as the tropical island atoll and nature reserve, Fernando do Noronha, a perfect destination for diving or surfing.

Pearl Travel Guides has already developed Recife Guide and is developing Fortaleza Guide, Salvador Guide and Natal Guide. EAchwill cover the smaller destinations in the region.

São Luís

São Luís  is the capital of the stateof Maranhão and is located on the 50km beach of São Luís island in the bay of St Marcus. Uniquely it is the only Brazilian state capital that was founded by the French, and is one of the three Brazilian state capitals located on islands.

The French influence is apparent in some of the older buildings, many of which are in ruins or poor condition due the difficulty in maintaining them in an atmosphere is high humidity, salty sea breezes and a the rainy seasons. A few have been bought by foreign interests or rescued by UNESCO.

The city centre is lively, being the Reggae capital if Brazil and, having small markets, several restaurants, museums and artisan shops. Beach life is also good, with long stretches of sand, popular with Brazilian tourists.

Nearby is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, famous for its incredible sand dunes, stretching 50km inland from the coast, and 70km along it. From above the dunes look like sheets, hence the name 'lençóis'. Between January and June rain fall fills the spaces between the dunes with pools or lakes of crystal clear fresh water which has an incredible turquoise colour in the sunlight. The pools are best between July and September.

Fortaleza

Fortaleza (Portuguese for Fortress) is the capital city of Ceará state. It has a popular urban beach and is surrounded by many other spectacular beaches. As a popular destination for Brazilian and foreign tourists, the city has a well-established infrastructure and is served by an international airport with good connections to all other areas of Brazil.

The Fortaleza guide will cover the city and all the destinations close by, with details on all the many activities in the area that tourists will appreciate.

Fortaleza is the closest city to one of the most popular remote beaches in Brazil at the moment,Jericoacoara. Itis even top on the list of places to visit for many Brazilians.

Natal

Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) is the capital city of Rio Grande do Norte. It is a region that has invested significantly in developing its tourism infrastructure and the conservation of its natural heritage, including the impressive chain of sand dunes which surround the city, now the Dune State Park.

Natal became the entry gate to the beautiful beaches of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, many of which are still semi-wild, such as Pipa and Pirangi.

The city is also served by an international airport with regular connections to all other parts of Brazil.

Fernando do Noronha

Fernando do Noronha belongs to the state of Pernambuco, the capital of which is Recife. As a destination it is therefore included in Recife Guide

Joao Pessoa

The capital city of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa is a costal capital with some great beaches, a lot of history and several tourist attractions. It is the most eastern point of Brazil and it´s strategic importance was due to it´s location. The small historic centre is well preserved and adds charm and character to a city that is also developing a well organised infrastructure that is attracting foreigners looking to invest in property or buy retirement homes.

The city is generally quite calm, with a small but interesting nightlife and some great restaurants that represent excellent value for money. It is ideally located for those wishing to explore Recife and Olinda (south) or Natal (north), or the many beaches inbetween the two, not to mention one of the very few naturist beaches in Brazil.

The interior hold much history and it´s tourism potential is only just starting to be explored. As a major sugar and cotton growing region in colonial Brazil, it´s history is well worth exploring.         

Recife

Recife is the capital city of the state of Pernambuco, first colonized by the Portuguese who established themselves in nearby Olinda soon after arriving in Brazil in 1500. Under Dutch rule (1630-54), the city became one of the most important in Brazil. The natural reefs, the namesake of the city, gave strategic protection and today create natural lagoons at low tide.

The city has rich cultural traditions reflected in musical and cultural traditions, most evident during Carnival and São João. Carnival is most famously celebrated in Recife and Olinda; São João is popular in the countryside and in the interior city of Caruaru.

Recife Guide covers the whole state of Pernambuco, with a focus on the major destinations: Recife, Olinda, Porto de Galinhas and Fernando de Noronha. It also covers other popular destinations in the interior, and all the beaches in the area.

Salvador

Salvador (derived from the historic name, Holy Savior of All Saints' Bay) was the first capital city of Brazil. Today it is the capital city of the state of Bahia. Brazilians call it the capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and numerous festivals and parties, including its street carnival.

The city prospered as a result of the sugar cane industry which resulted in the importation of many African slaves. As a result it is the Brazilian city with the greatest African influence. This is reflected in its distinctive culture, cuisine, music and architecture.

The historical center of Salvador is Pelourinho, recognised as a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO since 1985. This is close to the port area, a gateway to many beautiful beaches.

Salvador Guide will cover the city of Salvador and the major destinations and attractions within the state of Bahia including the small town of Lençois from where the Chapada Diamantina National Park can be explored. The park is an area of mountains and wooded valleys with beautiful waterfalls and caves, such as Poço Encantado, where the rays of sun pierce through a natural window to illuminate the water blue waters. This is an area of astounding natural beauty and some of the best trekking country in South America. see the Salvador Guide



NORTH

The North is the most unexplored part of the country, famous for the Amazon forest which represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforest and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world.

The Amazon is perfect for those who want close contact with nature, and the many comfortable, even luxurious, hotels in the jungle mean this is possible without to much sacrifice.

Pearl Travel Guides is currently developing Manaus Guide and Belém Guide, plus associated products and services.

Manaus Guide

Manaus is the capital city of the Amazonas region and has a long and rich history.  Founded in 1669 as the Fort of São Jose do Rio Negro, it was elevated to a town in 1832 with the name of "Manaus," which means "mother of the gods."

Manaus is a cosmopolitan city with many attractions, and because of its location next to the Amazon rain forest, attracts many tourists as a gateway to the surrounding jungle.  Tour boats leave Manaus to see the Meeting of the Waters, where the black waters of the Negro River meet the brown waters of the Solimoes River, flowing side by side without mixing for about 9km. Tourists can also explore the rivers or walk in the lush forest.  And the more adventurous may even choose to spend a night or two in the jungle.

Belém Guide

Belém is the gateway to the Amazon, a busy port city on the banks of the Amazon estuary, and capital of the state of Pará. It was founded in 1616 as the first European colony on the Amazon but didn't become part of the Brazilian nation until 1775.

There is a colonial part of the city, rich history and architecture from colonial times, reflective of the boom that came with the tapping of natural rubber.  Boats sail from Belém to Manaus via the Amazon river, and the city is connected to the rest of Brazil via its international airport.

Recife

There are few places in the world where you can enjoy such a variety of experiences from one day to the next. Enjoy twelve months of summer on breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Bathe and relax in the natural lagoons created by reefs along large stretches of the palm tree-lined coast, or get an adrenalin rush if you like surfing, diving, snorkeling and other water sports. For history and culture lovers, Recife and nearby Olinda are a must. They were among the first cities established by Portuguese and Dutch colonizers in the early 16th century and much of the Colonial architecture remains, especially in Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Recife, Olinda and Porto de Galinhas all offer great bars, nightlife and world class gastronomy. Long histories and rich cultures are also reflected in many events and festivals throughout the year. The most famous of course is Carnival, usually celebrated in February or March each year.

Do Not Miss

Boa Viagem beach is one of the most impressive urban beaches in Brazil. It can best be enjoyed on weekdays when it is quieter, and at low tide when reefs along parts of the beach create natural lagoons. Signs warning of shark attacks should be taken seriously, but the lagoons at low tide are very safe. The historic city of Olinda was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. The colorful Colonial houses, churches and cobblestone streets add to the history and charm of a place that is today home to many artists and artisans. The city also hosts one of the best and most authentic Carnival parties in Brazil. Carneiros beach is one of the most unspoiled in Brazil. The area has long expanse of palm tree lined beaches and shallow warm waters that offer ideal bathing conditions. There are also natural pools within the reefs, excellent for snorkeling and teaming with tropical fish that feed from your hand.

Other Top Attractions

Recife Antigo island was the birthplace of the city, established by Dutch who invaded in 1637. It has rich and interesting architecture, which is being gradually restored. By day it is a business district, but at night it comes alive, especially on weekends when Carnival bands rehearse. Also on Sunday the main street, Rua Bom Jesus, has a street craft market. The same street is home to the oldest synagogue in the Americas. Porto de Galinhas is one of the most famous beaches in the area. The beach itself is spectacular, but the town is now very commercial. Nearby are Muro Alto and Macarapaípe beaches, which are both spectacular. It is worth hiring a buggy for a day to go beach hopping from "Porto" as the locals call Porto de Galinhas. Downtown Recife is close to Recife Antigo. It is the heart of the city still with a mix of historic churches, building, markets, and squares. Most of the area is off the beaten track as far as foreign tourists are concerned, but for the adventurous tourist it is a must. Hear are the real sights, sounds and smells of the city with all the hustle and bustle. Oficina Francisco Brennand is the workshop and gallery complex of one of Brazil's most important artists. Brennand is a sculptor and painter, the son of a wealthy industrialist who made commercial ceramics. He has been described as the Salvador Dahli of Brazil. His work, both natural and surreal, can be seen in themed water gardens and in the old factory where tiles are also still made. Calhetas is a small picturesque beach in a cove very close to Recife. The bay and the rocky outcrops are charming, the waters crystal clear. There are also several bars and restaurants offering fresh seafood.

                                                                                   

Accommodations

Hotel 7 Colinas, Olinda

There are accomodations of every type and quality in the region, from a luxury beach bungalow with its own pool to a charming old pousada (guesthouse) in the historic city of Olinda or a modern luxury beach front hotel. For full details see our listing of Accommodations by category:

• Economy Accommodations in Recife
• Moderate Accommodations in Recife
• Luxury Accommodations in Recife

Tours

Walking Tours of Recife and Olinda are a great way to soak up the history and culture of the cities' past and a comfortable way to experience authentic city life. They are given by guides who have a real knowledge of the cities.

Day Tours from Recife will help you get to know the real Brazil and enjoy many authentic experiences. They will take you to the beach, the countryside plantations or to historic towns and villages.

Short Adventures are 2-4 day themed itineraries. Like Day Tours, they are designed to show you the real Brazil, past and present. Some are also designed to explore its history and wildlife, or to experience the many sports and activities it offers.

Top 5 Bars

 

Bar da Praia, Boa Viagem

Bar da Praia is the best bar in Aveneida Boa Viagem. This relatively new bar quickly established itself as the best beach bar. The design, atmosphere and food are all excellent. It is also close to several top restaurants, so a good choice for pre-dinner drinks and happy hour. The avenue has several other good bars described in our bar listing.

Biruta One of the few good bars located right on the beach in Pina at the far end of Aveneida Boa Viagem. A large open terrace overlooks the ocean for great views at night and especially on the night of a full moon. It also has a large selection of seafood dishes and snacks.

Casa da Moeda is run by local photographer and artist Sergio Altenkirch and has a Bohemian feel that attracts a loyal clientele of local artists, writers, and journalists. This “alternative” crowd adds to the atmosphere. It is a great place to drink and snack, also to enjoy the frequent live music performances which vary from jazz and blues to rock, with the occasional performance of Brazilian sounds such as Chorinho (the weeping guitar).

Bar Central is in Downtown Recife. A small, friendly, professionally-run bar that attracts a loyal group of regulars that are described as the alternative crowd – musicians, artists, writers, poets. Also gay and lesbian friendly. One wall is decorated with a large areal map of Recife; other areas have old photographs. The juke box has a great selection of Brazilian and international music. The food is also good with a selection of Brazilian and international snacks and full dishes.

Buraco do Sargento is in one of the most interesting historic squares of the Downtown area. Tables spill out into the cobblestone square which is dominated by the São Perdro church. The square is surrounded by bars that mostly serve traditional regional dishes and snacks for very good prices. This is a place that locals come to after work. It is not a regular tourist haunt. It is a lot less sophisticated, but more authentic and charming, than some large bars in the rich neighborhoods, which are relatively expensive.

For a listing of all bars by area see Bars in Recife

Top 7 Restaurants

Restaurant É, Chef Douglas Van Der Ley

É   is a world class restaurant owned by one of Brazil´s top chefs. Douglas Van Der Ley is a genius in the kitchen, a really creative artist who mixes fine international ingredients with Brazilian flavors in exotic combinations that are exquisitely presented. The menu experimentale can be requested and highly recommended it if you want an evening of gastronomic extravagance. É is a restaurant we cannot recommend highly enough!

Spettus is the best restaurant in Recife for meat. In addition to the excellent meat selections, this restaurant serves an extensive cold buffet of salads, vegetable and cheeses – a meal in itself. At twice the price of its nearest rivals, it has had to establish a similar gap in terms of quality.

La Cuisine is a French restaurant which consistently serves a high quality menu within all three areas of the restaurant, each with a distinctive atmosphere: Brasserie, Meditarinian beach restaurant and serious gastronomic restaurant. It is perfect for brunch or lunch (soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps) or dinner.

Bargaço Fish and other seafood prepared in every imaginable way is a highlight of this restaurant. The quality is consistently high earning Bargaço an enviable reputation that has already lasted many years. For visitors to the city who love fish and seafood, Bargaço is a must.

Parraxaxá The name is of indigenous origin and is pronounced pahashasha. This very popular self-service (pay by the kilo) restaurant serves regional cuisine in a rustic theme restaurant. A very wide selection of savory and sweet dishes. The plates are massive, so make sure your eyes are not bigger then your stomach or it will cost you!

Oficina do Sabor  is considered a “must” by most tourists. This restaurant specializes in exotic seafood dishes served in a pumpkin. Most dishes can be shared between two people, making it just about affordable for travelers on a budget. Get there early for a good table with a great view of Recife.

Maison do Bonfim Here you will find traditional French cuisine with a Brazilian flair. The restaurant consistently achieves positive reviews, but despite the excellent reputation, remains relatively affordable. Readers of Recife Guide have all given excellent reports to date.

For a Listing of all restauraunts see:

• Economy
• Moderate
• Luxury

Nightlife

NOX, Boa Viagem

Nightlife in the region varies a lot by area. In all areas, there are many bars. Most are open until the last customer leaves, especially at weekends. In several, live music can be enjoyed on most nights, especially in the smaller neighborhood bars and in Recife Antigo. As for clubs, the majority are in Boa Viagem. For full details see our listings see Nightlife in Recife

Events

 Carnival. Photo: Prefeitura of Olinda

Carnival is the most important annual event to which we have dedicated a section of the site. There are also a large number of other annual cultural events and festivals of music, dance and cinema. The other annual events and one-off events will be listed in the Event Agenda  

Info

When you are travelling as an independent traveller you are going to need a lot of information. Recife Guide will give you as much as we can in two seperate A-Z Lists: Basic Information and Advice (coming soon).

Getting There

Recife International Airport (REC)

Recife International Airport (REC), also known as Gilberto Freyre International Airport is a very modern airport with all the facilities you might expect.

It is the main means of Arrival to the State of Pernambuco, and the connection point for most other destinations within the state, although some visitors to Fernando de Noronha may connect via Natal International Airport.

Recife airport is located very close to the city. It is just 1 km from Boa Viagem beach and 9 km from downtown Recife. the distance to Olinda is approximately 15km and to Porto de Galinhas approximately25km.

• Real time arrival and departure information is available from Skyscanner
• For information about buses and taxis serving the airport see our page on Ground Transportation
• To call the airport: (81) 3322 4685 / 3232 4188



Olinda

Recife Guide (A Pearl Travel Guides Destination Site), posted a mini-guide introduction to the historic city of Olinda, in the state of Pernambuco. The city, founded in 1535 by the Portuguese, is located on the country's northeastern Atlantic Ocean coast, just north of Recife, and is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in Brazil. Legend suggests the city's name can be interpreted as an exclamation regarding the beauty of its setting ("Ó, linda!" is Portuguese for "Oh, beautiful!"). 

Because of the historic importance of the city, Olinda earned the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. It is picturesque, full of history, character and tropical charm. It seems that everywhere you look there is a church. They date from the 16th century as Olinda is one of the oldest cities in Brazil.

In addition to the history Olinda, being a hill-top town has the advantage of fantastic views. This has attracted many artists who's studios can be found in several streets. In addition it is home to one of the most important carnivals, and several other major cultural festivals, both classical and popular. 

Maps

Olinda Walking Tour Larger Map

The map above shows the route of a   Walking Tour The tour is available with guides that speak several languages and visits all the key sites and attractions in Olinda. 

A Short History

The settlement of Olinda was founded in 1535 by Duarte Coelho Pereira; it was elevated to a town in March 12, 1537, and became the capital of the Portuguese hereditary Captaincy of Pernambuco. Many of the early settlers were New Christians (Jews) who came with the Portuguese, and had the money and expertise to invest in the large-scale production of sugar, the commodity that made Northeast Brazil the most important in early colonial Brazil. Other early settlers were many religious orders, encouraged to make christians of Brazilian Indians and African slaves. 

In the 17th century, taking advantage of a period of Portuguese weakness, the area around Olinda and Recife was occupied by the Dutch, who gained access to the Portuguese sugarcane plantations. During their invasion of Olinda in 1630, they destroyed much of the city by fire. After the Portuguese regained control in 1654 they began restoring Olinda to it´s former glory.

Do Not Miss

The whole city is worth exploring in detail and, because of it´s size, this is possible in 3-4days, or less if you have a guide. The highlights are the Franciscan monastery, the fantastic panoramic views from Alto Sé, the São Bento church, and it´s stunning baroque altar and the Praça do Carmo with it´s church of the Carmelites, the first church of the order in Brazil. Also, do not miss the opportunity to explore the restaurants in Olinda, serving a mixture of regional and international cuisine of the highest quality.

Other Top Attractions

Olinda is a great base from which to spend time in the region. With it´s great restaurants and charming historic pousadas (guesthouses), it is a good place to stay and take day trips from. You can discover more of the region´s history in Recife (20 mins by taxi), at Iguassu and Itamaraca, or into the interior where the historic sugar plantations (engenhos) are. Alternatively, you may want to explore the many fantastic beaches, north or south, along the coast. For visitors interested in art there are also the works of important artists like sculptor Francisco Brennand to see, or the collections of Ricardo Brennand.

Accommodations

Acommodations in Olinda are either budget, or moderate in terms of infrastructure and service. In terms of location and ambience just one, Hotel 7 Colinas may be described as luxury, nestled as it is within palm trees and tropical gardens, and with it´s large pools. Generally accommodations are pousadas (guest houses) with a limited number of rooms. Several are within old historic houses and are very charming. To find accommodations in Olinda follow one of the following links:

• Budget

• Moderate

• Luxury

Tours

 Recife Guide´s partners have developed a Walking Tour of Olinda. They are operated by carefully selected companies who employ professional guides, trained and accredited to deliver the tour. The carefully researched and designed tour will give you a very good insight into the history and development of the city. The route and it´s highlights can be seen on the map we created. You can also see images of the tourhighlights in a Youtube video.

From Olinda we also offer several other tours, each of which has been similarly researched, designed and developed; and are operated by licensed operators who employs the professional guides who we have trained and accredited. Our tours include other Walking Tours, Day Tours and Short Adventures (tours of 2 or more days, including accommodation). Follow the link for details of all Tours

Bars & Cafes

There are several bars and cafes in Olinda. They are the focus of nightlife in the town. Several spill out onto the streets at busy times, and in many you can hear live music, often impromptu and improvised. definitely worth a visit is Bodega de Veio, a typical old bar that also sell "everything except the kitchen sink". Click the link to see our full listing of Bars & Cafes

                                                                                                                                      Restauraunts

In olinda there are an excellent choice of restaurants serving regional and international cuisines. They vary in price considerably. for recommendations see our listing under:

• Budget

• Moderate

• Luxury

Nightlife

Nightlife in Olinda is focused on bars and cafes. There are no nightclubs to speak of. Nearby Recife Antigo has more bars and a few nightclubs, but other clubs are in the Boa Viagem are of Recife and gay and lesbian nightlife is focused around the Boa Vista area. For details see Nightlife in Recife.

Events

 

The biggest event in Olinda is Carnaval, one of the most important, and authentic, in Brazil. It stems from a Portuguese tradition, with the addition of African influenced dances. Carnival here is not something to be watched as a spectator in a stand, but to take part in. And, unlike carnival in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, carnival in Olinda is free of charge. Carnival groups (blocos) practice the year-round, but things get serious after Christmas when rehearsals can be seen in the street most weekends. For details see Carnival

In addition to carnival there are several other annual and one-time events in Olinda. They are a mix of musical, artistic and cultural events; both popular and classical. Details of upcoming events can be found in the Recife Guide Agenda

Information

When you are travelling as an independent traveller you are going to need a lot of information. Recife Guide will give you as much as we can in two seperate A-Z Lists : Basic Information and Advice (coming soon). Olinda is so close to Recife so, thather than duplicate everything, the links go to the Recife Info pages. See also the "10-Step Guide for Independent Travellers to Brazil" on the Pearl Travel Guides main site.

Shopping

If art, antiques and souvenirs are what you are looking for then you will find plenty of all of these in Olinda. The shops are mostly those of artists and ateliers, with a few galleries and souvenir shops. The nearest shopping center with a 15min taxi ride. Shopping Tacaruna is a small modern mall with the store types you might expect at such places anywhere in the world. Shopping Centre Recife, is a much larger version of the same thing (close to the Recife International Airport).

How To Get There

From Recife International Airport, Olinda is approximately 40mins by Taxi. Most hotels and pousadas will arrange a transfer on request, but this will be at an additional charge, with a commission. This is not necessary if you are arriving at a reasonable time, but perhaps advisable if you are going to be a late arrival. The alternative is a licensed airport taxi which operates to a list of standard charges. It is not advisable to take an un-licensed taxi. There are no direct busses from the airport Terminus to Olinda.

From the Interstate Bus Station (TIP), it is possible to take a taxi to Olinda, but as the bus station is far out-of-town, the cost will be around R$40. Inter-State you can take any metro to the final stop in central Recife. From there you will get a taxi to Olinda for around R$15.

Real time arrival and departure information is available from Skyscanner

For information about buses and taxis serving the airport see our page on Ground Transportation

To call the airport: (81) 3322 4685 / 3232 4188