Cheap flights to Recife
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Quick summary
Country
Brazil
Continent
South America
Airport
REC
Currency
Brazilian real
Time zone
UTC-3
Deals already spotted to Recife
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and transfers
An airport to the south, linked to the centre by metro
Recife - Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre
Recife's international airport is in the southern zone, near Boa Viagem, and serves major Brazilian cities as well as several destinations in South America, the United States and Portugal according to Wikivoyage. The Aeroporto station on the metro's southern line, about 500 m from the terminal according to Wikivoyage (DE), goes straight downtown. Bus 033 reaches Boa Viagem in 15 minutes and the centre in about 30; taxis and ride-hailing are also available. We give no distance in kilometres, as it could not be cross-checked.
Times are approximate, taken from Wikivoyage (EN, DE, FR) and Wikipedia (FR, EN, DE, ES); they vary with traffic. We give no fares, which change.
Capital of the state of Pernambuco, Recife has about 1.7 million inhabitants (2020) and 3.7 million in Greater Recife. Nicknamed the Brazilian Venice for its rivers and bridges, it spreads over islands and land linked by bridges over the Capibaribe. The centre includes Recife Antigo, Santo Antônio, São José and Boa Vista; Boa Viagem, the beach district, is about 10 km to the south.
Landmarks
A city of water, bridges and colourful façades
The first fishing village appeared between 1535 and 1537 in the delta of the Capibaribe and Beberibe, behind a long reef barrier that gave the city its name. In the 17th century Recife was the capital of New Holland, or Dutch Brazil, as Mauritsstad, before the Portuguese retook it in 1654. The Marco Zero, in the heart of Recife Antigo, marks the starting point of the city; from there, you can reach by canoe the Parque das Esculturas Francisco Brennand, laid out on the reefs of the port, with more than 90 sculptures and a tower about 30 m high.
The Capibaribe and its bridges
The Capibaribe crosses the centre and links the different districts with a series of bridges. Its banks line up houses with colourful façades among flowering trees, and you see how much the nickname Brazilian Venice owes to the water.
Recife Antigo
The old port, on an island linked to the mainland by bridges, keeps its cobbled streets and colourful façades. It holds the Marco Zero, museums, bars and a former customs house from around 1700, now a shopping centre, the Paço Alfândega.
Museums, frevo and carnival
The Brennands, the train, frevo and the biggest carnival block
The museums
The Instituto Ricardo Brennand brings together historical Brazilian and European objects from the 15th to the 19th century, with a focus on the Dutch period. The Museu-Oficina Francisco Brennand, in a wooded setting, is devoted to the artist's ceramics. The Museu do Trem occupies the former central station; the Casa da Cultura, a former prison, sells regional crafts. Check opening hours and closing days; we give no prices, which change.
Frevo and carnival
Recife is the city of frevo, the regional music and dance typical of carnival, and of mangue beat. The carnival of Recife and Olinda is known for its diversity: frevo, maracatu and the giant Olinda puppets. On Saturday morning, the Galo da Madrugada parade, with its giant rooster, is billed as the world's largest carnival block (about 2.5 million participants in 2013 according to Wikivoyage).
The Galo da Madrugada
The giant brightly coloured rooster is the symbol of Recife's carnival and can be seen around the city all year.
Around Recife: Olinda and the beaches
A listed colonial town to the north, beaches to the south
These three places lie outside Recife itself. Olinda, about 6 km to the north, is one of Brazil's oldest colonial towns, with Baroque architecture, and its historic centre has been a UNESCO site since 1982. The southern coast of Pernambuco and Porto de Galinhas, about 60 km to the south, offer beaches lined with coconut palms and calm waters. For a longer trip, the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, a UNESCO site, is about 545 km away, an hour's flight from Recife.
Olinda and the Carmo church
Perched above the Atlantic, the Carmo church rises over Olinda's tiled roofs and palm trees. Whether going or returning, avoid lingering at dusk and prefer a taxi.
The southern coast of Pernambuco
South of Recife, the coast alternates pale-sand beaches, coconut palms and small white chapels. These sites are visited as day trips, by car, bus or with an agency.
Porto de Galinhas
Porto de Galinhas, about 60 km to the south, is the region's best-known beach; sunset there is much loved, with boats offshore.
Boa Viagem and swimming
Boa Viagem is Recife's great urban beach, lined with eight kilometres of hotels and restaurants. Shark incidents have been reported on the region's beaches: ask about swimming advice, follow the signs and the recommendations of the local authorities.
Food and drink
Seafood, tapioca and Pernambuco cakes
Typical dishes
Recife's cooking makes wide use of manioc flour (the base of tapioca), corn cuscuz, jerked beef, goat and seafood. Caldeirada, a seafood stew with coconut milk, and feijoada pernambucana, made with brown beans, are typical regional dishes.
Sweets and beach soups
Recife is the birthplace of bolo de rolo, a rolled cake, and bolo Souza Leão; cartola combines fried bananas, cheese, cinnamon and sugar. On the beach, vendors sell caldinho, a small soup served in a cup in several flavours, from black beans to shrimp.
Getting around
Metro, integrated buses, taxis and ride-hailing
Metro and buses
Recife's metro, the third largest in Brazil, covers limited areas but links the centre, the long-distance bus terminal and the airport; there are three main lines. The integrated bus network has 119 lines connected to the metro at 13 points. Buses remain the most useful form of mass transport.
Taxis, ride-hailing and caution
Taxis and ride-hailing are practical in the evening and for trips between distant districts. As in any large Brazilian city, watch your belongings and check the official advice of your departure country before travelling.
Budget
An affordable to moderate budget compared with Europe
Buses, the metro, beach food and many restaurants remain affordable compared with Europe, while seafront hotels and upscale places, especially at carnival, cost more. We give no figures, as prices change with the season and the exchange rate.
The plane ticket remains the most variable item. SniperAir monitors prices to REC and compares them with the route's history.
When to go
When to go to Recife: warm all year, reversed seasons
Dry season (September to March)
The weather is drier and sunnier; this includes the austral summer from December to March, with carnival in February or March.
Rainy season (April to August)
More rain, corresponding to the austral autumn and winter; showers are frequent but temperatures stay mild.
The climate is tropical, with an average annual temperature of about 26 °C and little variation. In the southern hemisphere the seasons are reversed: summer starts in December. For beach and sunshine, choose the dry season from September to March; carnival, which starts before Ash Wednesday, draws large numbers of visitors and pushes up accommodation prices.
By length of stay
What to do in Recife depending on your stay
The essentials
Recife Antigo and the Marco Zero, the Capibaribe bridges, Boa Viagem and a seafood meal.
Going deeper
Add Olinda, a Brennand museum and frevo music.
The surroundings
A day at Porto de Galinhas or on the southern coast, or a flight to Fernando de Noronha.
In pictures
Recife in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Recife
How do you get from Recife airport to the centre?
The simplest option is the southern metro line, whose Aeroporto station goes straight to the centre. Bus 033 reaches Boa Viagem in about 15 minutes and the centre in 30; taxis and ride-hailing are also available.
When is the best time to visit Recife?
The dry season, from September to March, is the most pleasant for the beach. The rainy season runs from April to August. Carnival takes place before Ash Wednesday and draws large crowds.
Is Recife expensive?
It is affordable to moderate compared with Europe: buses, the metro, beach food and many restaurants cost little, while seafront hotels and upscale places cost more.
How many days should I plan in Recife?
Two days cover Recife Antigo, the bridges and Boa Viagem; three to four days let you add Olinda, a Brennand museum and a day on the southern coast or at Porto de Galinhas.
How do you get around Recife?
The metro and an integrated bus network serve the city; taxis and ride-hailing complete the picture. Recife Antigo is explored on foot, and Olinda is reached by road to the north.
What should I eat in Recife?
Seafood caldeirada, feijoada pernambucana, tapioca, bolo de rolo and cartola, as well as the caldinho sold on the beach.
How much does a flight to Recife usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the period and the booking date. The opportunities section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Recife drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Recife as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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