|
Description
Recife
is the capital of Pernambuco state, located in the Northeast of Brazil. It
has a preserved old centre and also modern areas such as Boa Viagem beach,
where most of the hotels are located. Only 8 Km away from Recife is the beautiful old and
colourful town called Olinda. Most of the houses in Olinda were built in the early days of colonisation,
and are now painted in different and joyful colours. The town has not changed in almost 500 years,
and on a walk around its hills it's possible to appreciate the views, the
laid back atmosphere, the colonial architecture and many art ateliers.
Both Recife and Olinda have the influence
of the African and European cultures with interesting food, art and music and have produced what is known as one of the best
carnivals of Brazil.
Activities
A
city tour of Recife and Olinda will show you the main sites of interest.
You can enjoy the beach of Boa Viagem in Recife (the water is amazingly
warm), but be aware of the presence of sharks beyond the reef's limit.
Attacks to humans have happened in the past. Day tours to Porto de
Galinhas and surrounding areas are also good options.
Festivals
The maracatu is a traditional Carnaval
procession encompassing dance, poetry and music, and a collection of
characters including a standard bearer, a singer, a small percussion
orchestra and a king and queen. All of these are led by the
caboclos-do-lança. These men, sugar cane cutters by day, have near
mythic status in the towns, carrying around costumes over 50 pounds and
walking for miles in the blistering sun. All the while they parade,
running jumping and twisting, swirling their lances in the air, almost
daring a spectator to venture close and risk injury.
For more information please use the
following links:
Accommodation
A good range of
hotels, pousadas and resorts.
Weather
  
|
