Since we moved to Recife, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how to get here, where to fly into, what to do and eat, and what to buy while you’re in Brazil. So I figured I’d put everything in one place! You can also visit my Brazil page to see everything else I’ve written.
We came to Recife to have our baby, too! If you’re thinking about doing the same, here’s what giving birth in Brazil was like for me, including exactly what it cost.
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Jump to a section
- Visa Requirements!!
- Getting to Recife
- What is Recife Like?
- Where to Stay in Recife
- Getting Around Recife
- Tips to Know Before You Come
- Other Cities & Countries to Visit
- Brazilian Food to Try
- What to Buy in Brazil
- What to Do in Recife
Visa Requirements
You need a visa to visit Brazil!! Make sure you take care of this before your trip.
The U.S. Embassy has the current visitor visa requirements here: New Visitor Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Brazil.
Your visa should be issued in less than a week, but there’s always the chance it gets denied. Apply early here and take it off your to-do list.
**be aware, they’re going to ask about your parents names and birthdays in the visa application. If you use a VPN for work, or anything while trying to access the visa website – it may block you!
Print your visa just in case, since the embassy says “it is a requirement.” Personally, I’ve never printed mine. I’ve just shown it on my phone, and it hasn’t been an issue, but I’d still print it so you don’t have to worry about it. Better safe than sorry. The visa costs $80+ USD and is valid for 10 years.
Getting to Recife
Fly into Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC).
Recife is the capital of the state of Pernambuco, in northeastern Brazil.
There are currently no direct flights from the United States to Recife. Starting in December 2026, though, Azul Airlines will fly direct from Orlando to Recife.
I recommend flying to SĂŁo Paulo or Rio de Janeiro first and booking your flights separately.
For whatever reason, booking one ticket all the way to Recife with a layover can easily cost $1,000+. You can often save hundreds of dollars by booking separately: for example, a one-way ticket from the U.S. to Rio or SĂŁo Paulo, then a separate one-way ticket to Recife.
Why I recommend stopping in SĂŁo Paulo or Rio
You have to have a layover anyway, so you might as well stay a few days. São Paulo and Rio have A LOT MORE to offer tourists than Recife, so I highly recommend visiting one or both while you’re already making the trip.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio is classic Brazil, and one of my favorite cities in the world. It has Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
To be honest, I don’t find Christ the Redeemer itself all that amazing. Seeing it from down in the city is just as nice to me. If you don’t have time or don’t want to deal with the crowds, you’ll be OK not going to the top. Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and there’s so much else to do: mountains, great hiking, beaches, beach clubs, lots of parties, and a really lively atmosphere.
Here’s my 5-day Rio de Janeiro itinerary, and you can read more about my time there in Rio de Janeiro: Feeling at Home and Feeling Foreign.
SĂŁo Paulo
SĂŁo Paulo is the largest city in the Americas, with 23 million people in the sprawling metro!! It’s the place to go for food, antique shopping and museums. You’ll be surprised by how many Michelin-recognized restaurants there are in SĂŁo Paulo.
SĂŁo Paulo has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan, so there are some incredible Japanese restaurants, plus great Italian food. It also has its own Koreatown, although it doesn’t compare to the Koreatowns in LA or NYC, just FYI. SP is very diverse and very cool. Here’s my full SĂŁo Paulo travel guide.
What is Recife Like?
It’s so hard to say… I’m still trying to describe it myself. Kind of, sort of, the U.S. counterpart to New Orleans simply for its massive Carnival culture, or Boston for its growing tech scene. Culturally, I think Recife can be compared to Philadelphia. Both cities have roughly the same population at ~1.6 million, so it’s a major city… but also, not too too much? Both Philadelphia and Recife have A LOT of pride – It’s impossible to find a 1-to-1 U.S. comparison, but that’s me trying to explain it.
Where to Stay in Recife
If you’re coming to Recife to visit me, then stay with me! But if you’re a stranger, I’d recommend staying in Boa Viagem, Graças, Boa Vista, or Olinda. Each area has a different vibe, so it really depends on what kind of trip you want.
Boa Viagem: Best for most visitors
Boa Viagem is probably the easiest choice for first-time visitors.
It’s the main beach neighborhood in Recife, with the most hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. It’s also close to the airport, so getting in and out is really easy.
If you want to be near the beach with lots of restaurants around you, this is where I’d stay.
Graças or Boa Vista: More residential and local
Graças and Boa Vista are right next to each other in Recife’s North Zone, and they feel more residential and local. There are lots of restaurants, cafés, bars and tree-lined streets.
They’re also close to Recife Antigo, Boa Viagem and Olinda, so they’re a good option if you want to see more of the city than just the beach.
Olinda: Best for history & charm
Olinda is technically a separate city from Recife, but it’s right next door and really cute.
If you want colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, art, historic churches, and an old-world feel, staying in Olinda can be really fun. It’s especially worth considering if you’re coming for Carnival, since Olinda is famous for its street parties and blocos.
The trade-off is that you’ll be farther from Boa Viagem and the airport, so I’d only stay in Olinda if you specifically want the Olinda experience, not as a base for all of Recife. If you’re staying in Recife, you can still see it on a Recife and Olinda city tour.
Best Hotel Options in Recife
If you’d rather stay in a hotel than an Airbnb, these are the ones I’d look at:
Hotel Atlante Plaza (Boa Viagem)
Probably the nicest option if you want a classic upscale beachfront hotel. It’s right on Avenida Boa Viagem, across from the beach and very close to the airport. This would be my pick for something more luxurious and convenient.
Radisson Hotel Recife (Boa Viagem)
Another good upscale option on Avenida Boa Viagem, with ocean views, a pool, a restaurant and a gym.
Hotel Luzeiros Recife (Pina)
A newer, modern hotel between Boa Viagem and the center of Recife. It’s not right in the middle of Boa Viagem, but it’s a good spot for getting around the city.
Novotel Recife Marina (São José / Recife Antigo)
One of the newest and best-rated hotels in Recife. It’s at the marina near Recife Antigo, with a rooftop pool and views of the marina and the Capibaribe River. Pick this one if you care more about the historic side of Recife than being on the beach.
Bugan Hotel Recife (Boa Viagem)
A good option if you want to stay in Boa Viagem without paying for the fanciest hotels. It’s close to the beach, Shopping Recife and the airport, and the reviews are really good.
My recommendation: For a first visit, I’d stay in Boa Viagem. You’ll be close to the beach, restaurants, shopping and the airport. For the nicest hotel, look at Hotel Atlante Plaza or the Radisson. For something newer and more modern, check out Novotel Recife Marina.
Airbnb Options in Recife
I’ve put together a list of Airbnbs that look good and are in good areas, so take a look.
Getting Around Recife
Uber works perfectly fine in Recife and is extremely common here.
You absolutely do not need to rent a car. I’ve been using Uber constantly and haven’t had a problem. My Uber from the airport to my Airbnb, about a 20-minute ride, was around $10. Within Recife, most Uber rides are around $2–$6, depending on distance, traffic and time of day.
There’s also another rideshare app called 99. It’s often a little cheaper than Uber, but I’d just stick with Uber because it’s easy, familiar, and works perfectly well here.
Tips to Know Before You Come
Don’t expect anyone to speak English
In the really touristy areas and at expensive restaurants, especially in SĂŁo Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, most staff will speak English.
Outside of those places, though, people do not speak English or Spanish.
In Recife especially, it helps to know at least some basic Portuguese. Even a few words and phrases make getting around, ordering food, taking an Uber, and talking to people a lot easier.
Bom dia, boa tarde, boa noite! Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening! Google Translate is your friend!
Portuguese and Spanish
Yes, Portuguese and Spanish are very similar, especially the vocabulary and sentence structure. You’ll probably recognize a lot of words if you speak Spanish.
BUT don’t expect to speak Spanish and automatically be understood. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it really doesn’t. Some of the pronunciation differences can really throw you off.
For example, “dinheiro” means money in Portuguese, just like “dinero” in Spanish. But the pronunciation is way different: the “D” sounds like the English “G” in “giraffe”…
A few other things to know:
- The Portuguese J sounds like the “s” in “measure,” not like the Spanish J.
- The Portuguese R is sometimes pronounced more like an English H instead of rolled like a Spanish R.
- Being able to read a Portuguese word doesn’t mean you’ll know how to pronounce it.
Basically, if you speak Spanish, you have a huge advantage in Brazil, but don’t assume everyone will understand you if you just speak Spanish louder or slower.
Money & Credit Cards
Brazil uses the Brazilian real (R$ / BRL). Brazil is pretty much a cashless society, like the United States. You can tap your credit card for most things, and Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. American Express, not always.
I’ve never taken cash out in Brazil. Never needed to. You shouldn’t carry a lot of cash anyway.
Cell Phones & Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is very common in Brazil. You’ll find it at hotels, restaurants, cafĂ©s, malls, etc.
That said, I highly recommend having an international phone plan so you aren’t stuck relying on Wi-Fi when you’re out exploring.
I have T-Mobile, and my plan includes 5 GB of international high-speed data per month, which has worked really well for me.
Before you come, find out what your phone plan includes internationally.
WhatsApp is especially important. Brazil uses WhatsApp for EVERYTHING. Businesses, restaurant reservations, tour companies, even doctor’s appointments!
Safety
Recife is a major city, so use the same common sense you would in any big city. Rio de Janeiro and SĂŁo Paulo are NOTORIOUS for phone theft: people grab your phone right out of your hand or snatch your necklace off your neck. Recife is much safer, and that’s one of the main reasons we chose it.
A few things I’d recommend:
- Do NOT walk around with your phone in your hand.
- Don’t wear jewelry at all.
- Watch out for motorcycles. Riders will pull up to your car, reach in the window, and snatch your phone. Yes, really.
- Use Uber instead of taxis.
- Don’t wander into neighborhoods you don’t know just because Google Maps says it’s a short walk.
- Be more aware of your surroundings at night.
- Leave your passport and other important documents at home.
- At the beach, don’t leave your phone, wallet or other valuables alone while you go in the water. At all.
- Pay attention to the shark warning signs in Boa Viagem. Recife has a history of shark incidents. Only swim in the calm pools inside the reef at low tide, and stay out of the water at high tide, at dusk, or when it’s murky.
Tipping
At nicer restaurants, you’ll usually see a 10% service charge already added to your bill, so check before adding another tip. For other services, tipping isn’t generally expected, but it’s very nice.
Electricity & Outlets
Brazil uses Type N outlets, which have three round prongs.
The European two-round-prong plug often fits into Brazilian outlets, so if you already have European adapters, they might work. We have both European and Brazilian outlets in our house.
I’d still get one Brazilian adapter, just in case.
Other Cities & Countries to Visit
Since you’ve already come this far south, think about exploring more of South America if your time and budget allow. Because, why not?
For example:
They’re pretty close compared to flying all the way back to the U.S.
If you REALLY want to take advantage of being in this part of the world, consider going even farther. We flew from Brazil to South Africa, and it was only 6 hours and $380 USD!
Consider it!
Brazilian Food to Try
Wondering what to eat in Brazil? Brazilian food varies a lot by region, so here are the dishes and snacks I think you should try while you’re here. First, from Pernambuco (the state Recife is in):
- Bolo de rolo: Pernambuco’s signature dessert, a thin cake rolled up with guava paste. If you tell locals you like bolo de rolo, they’ll be so pleased.
- Cartola: Simple but so good. Fried banana topped with melted queijo coalho, sugar and cinnamon.
- Tapioca: A crepe made from tapioca starch, filled with cheese, coconut or meat. You’ll find it everywhere, especially in Olinda. Everyone loves tapioca.
- Carne de sol: Salted, sun-dried beef, usually served with macaxeira (cassava) and queijo coalho.
- Queijo coalho: Grilled cheese on a stick, sold by vendors right on the beach.
And from around the rest of Brazil:
- AçaĂ: Yes, açaĂ comes from Brazil! It’s especially popular in Rio, where you’ll find it everywhere, especially near the beaches. It’s usually served frozen in a bowl with toppings like banana and granola. It’s less common in Recife, but just search “açaĂ” on Google Maps and you’ll find something good.
- Bahian food: Food from Bahia has strong African influences and is known for seafood, coconut, dendê (palm oil), peppers and bold flavors. Look for acarajé, vatapá, caruru, bobó de camarão and moqueca.
- Pão de queijo: My favorite Brazilian snack! It comes from Minas Gerais. These are small, chewy Brazilian cheese breads made with cassava (tapioca) flour. They’re cheesy, but nothing like mozzarella sticks. You’ll find them everywhere.
- Coxinha: One of Brazil’s most popular snacks. It’s shredded, seasoned chicken wrapped in dough, shaped like a teardrop, and fried. Basically a delicious Brazilian chicken croquette. These count as a lanche, or snack.
- Churrasco: Brazilian barbecue. Expect lots of grilled meat, usually with rice, beans, farofa, salads and other sides. If you like meat, definitely try it.
- Comida por quilo (buffet): My FAVORITE type of Brazilian restaurant. Think Fogo de ChĂŁo, but usually much more casual. You fill your plate with whatever you want from the buffet, then they weigh it and you pay by the kilo. It’s a great way to try lots of different Brazilian foods. You’ll see, it’s not THAT different from what we have in the U.S.
- Brigadeiro: A classic Brazilian chocolate dessert made with condensed milk, cocoa and butter, rolled into little chocolate-covered balls. Very sweet, very fudgy (but different), and especially popular at parties and birthdays.
My advice: Don’t just eat the same Brazilian food everywhere. Brazil is HUGE, and every region has its own cuisine. Eat local wherever you go!
Hungry? Check out my guide to the 20+ best restaurants and cafés in Recife, organized by neighborhood.
What to Buy in Brazil
I wrote a separate post just about Brazilian brands and what to buy while you’re here.
What to Do in Recife
Go to the beach, shop, hit the cafĂ©s. I’m still working on this section, since we’ve only just arrived! If you want someone else to plan a day for you, this Recife and Olinda city tour covers the historic center and Olinda.
Beaches Near Recife
- Porto de Galinhas: ~60 km / 1–1.5 hours. Known for natural pools, clear water, white sand, restaurants and shopping. Best for a full, touristy beach day. The easiest way to go is a Porto de Galinhas day trip from Recife.
- Muro Alto: ~55 km / 1–1.5 hours. Known for calm, reef-protected water, beautiful beaches, resorts and beach clubs. Best for swimming and relaxing.
- Praia de Calhetas: ~35 km / 45–60 minutes. A small, pretty cove with calm water and beach bars. Best for swimming and a shorter beach trip.
- Reserva do Paiva: ~30 km / 40–50 minutes. Known for its long, quiet beach, coconut palms and upscale feel. Best for an easy, relaxing beach day.
- Ilha de Itamaracá: ~50–60 km / 1–1.5 hours. Known for calm beaches, Forte Orange and Coroa do AviĂŁo, and it’s more local. Best for a beach day with a little sightseeing.
Planning a beach weekend? Here’s how we spent a long weekend in Porto de Galinhas from Recife, with how to get there, where we stayed, the natural pools, and where to eat.