Cultural & Natural Wonders of Recife, Olinda & Fernando de Noronha - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Recife, Catamaran Tour Through Recife's Waterways

Welcome to Recife, the capital of one of Brazil's northeastern states, Pernambuco. Meet your driver outside the airport, transfer to your hotel to check-in, and get ready for a catamaran tour down some of the city's waterways, which granted Recife the nickname the "Venice of Brazil." Once on board, you'll cruise down the Capibaribe and Beberibe rivers, giving you a look at the blend of old and new architecture that defines the city. Marvel at the colonial houses of the Santo Antônio neighborhood, the striking bridges connecting different parts of the city, and the bustling riverfront markets.

You'll also pass landmarks like the Parque de Esculturas Francisco Brennand, Palácio do Campo das Princesas, and Teatro de Santa Isabel. After the tour, head to one of the restaurants along the river to enjoy your dinner overlooking the water. Indulge in local dishes like sururu, a mussel stew, or carne de sol, a sun-dried beef dish often served with sides like cassava, rice, and beans. Then, end the night with a sweet treat of bolo de rolo, a Pernambuco dessert made of thin layers of cake rolled with guava paste.

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Recife Antigo

Join your guide for a full-day tour of Recife Antigo, the city's historic center. Head to Praça Barão do Rio Branco, a picturesque square surrounded by historic buildings like Caixa Cultural, to see the Rosa dos Ventos sculpture, which marks where the city was first established in the 16th century. You'll walk to some of the city's most important landmarks, such as the 17th-century Igreja da Madre de Deus. Then, wander down Rua do Bom Jesus to the Embaixada dos Bonecos Gigantes, a cultural institution celebrating the art of giant puppets used in Carnival festivities.

Step inside to peruse the collection of intricately crafted puppets and learn about their history and how they're made. Your next stop is the Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel, the first synagogue in the Americas, dating back to 1636. Today, the synagogue serves as a museum and cultural center, showcasing artifacts, documents, and exhibits chronicling the history and contributions of Brazil's Jewish community. End the tour at the Capela Dourada, renowned for its opulent interior adorned with gold leaf. Marvel at the gilded walls, ornate carvings, and masterful paintings before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Spend the Day on Praia das Campas

Leave the city behind for the day as you transfer two hours down the coast to Praia das Campas in Tamandaré, renowned for its pristine white sands and clear turquoise waters. When you arrive at the beach, you can first visit Igreja de São Pedro to admire the charming colonial-style church overlooking the water. When you're ready, step onto the soft sand framed by hundreds of swaying palm trees and find your spot for the day.

The beach is dotted with natural pools formed by reefs, making it the perfect place to swim and snorkel. You can rent snorkeling gear and dive into the clear waters in search of tropical angelfish, parrotfish, and sergeant majors. Once you're out of the water, refuel with a delicious picnic lunch. As evening approaches, sit back and watch the sun slowly set over the Atlantic Ocean, transforming the sky into orange, pink, and purple hues before transferring back to Recife.

Day 4: Guided Tour of Recife's Museums & Cultural Institutions

Immerse yourself in Recife's rich culture on today's full-day city tour, starting at Paço do Frevo, a museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating frevo, a unique music and dance style that originated in Pernambuco. Peruse the colorful costumes and umbrellas used in frevo dances before continuing to the Centro Cultural Cais do Sertão on the waterfront. Step inside to discover the museum's exhibits and displays showcasing the history, music, art, and daily life of the sertaneja people who inhabit the arid lands of the Brazilian highlands. 

Day 5: Visit Igreja São Benedito, Beach-Day at Praia dos Carneiros

Change into your bathing suit and get ready for a day in the sun as you transfer two hours down the coast to Praia dos Carneiros. When you arrive, visit the Igreja São Benedito, a charming church with a whitewashed facade set amid coconut groves overlooking the ocean. Explore the church's grounds, attend Mass, or simply enjoy the tranquil surroundings and panoramic view of the beach.

Then, find a spot on the soft white sand to sit back and relax. If you get bored of sunbathing or swimming in crystal-clear water, book a catamaran tour to explore the nearby mangroves, natural pools, and reefs. You could also rent a kayak, standup paddleboard, or snorkeling gear. The beach faces westward, so you can watch the sun slowly descend toward the horizon before transferring back to Recife.

Day 6: Fly to Fernando de Noronha, Sunset Boat Tour

Say goodbye to Recife this morning and head to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Fernando de Noronha, a volcanic island in an archipelago of the same name, home to 21 islands and islets. Check into your hotel and get ready for a four-hour sunset boat tour. Once on board, you'll cruise to Morros Dois Irmãos, two towering rock formations rising from the sea, while you enjoy delicious fresh fish and a cocktail. Head to Praia da Conceição next for a refreshing swim and to watch the sun begin its descent.

Before it gets too dark, grab some snorkeling gear to discover the underwater world below. You'll spot plenty of colorful tropical fish and even sea turtles swimming among the coral reefs. If you're up for an adventure, you can try subwing diving, where you're towed underwater by a device resembling wings. Hold on tight while you dive, twist, turn, and glide through the water, allowing you to see the coral reefs and other marine creatures up close. When you're done, get back on the boat to catch the rest of the sunset as you cruise back to land and transfer to your hotel.

Day 7: 4WD Tour of Fernando de Noronha

This morning, you'll hit the dirt roads in a 4WD vehicle to discover some of the island's best beaches and viewpoints. Start at Praia do Porto to relax on the golden sand or dip in the crystal-clear waters. Continue to the Baia dos Porcos (Bay of Pigs), named after the dark rocks scattering the shore, resembling piglets. Admire the white sands and towering cliffs, then move southward to Cacimba do Padre, famous for hosting international surfing competitions. Your next stop is Praia do Sancho, a secluded beach known for its pristine white sand and turquoise waters.

Depending on the time, you may also visit Praia do Sueste and Praia do Leão. Break up the beach hopping by stopping at a local restaurant for lunch if you're hungry and a series of lookout points that showcase the island's beauty. Visit Mirante dos Golfinhos (Dolphin's Lookout) and try to spot the playful dolphins swimming across the ocean. Stop at Sancho Lookout for a stunning vista of Sancho Bay and Two Brothers Lookout for panoramic views of the nearby islets resembling two siblings. End the day at the 17th-century Forte Sao Pedro do Boldro to watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 8: Praia do Sancho Boat Tour, Dolphin Spotting

Today, you return to Praia do Sancho by boat to discover more of the archipelago's highlights. Jump on board and sail past Sapata Point, where rugged cliffs and lush vegetation meet the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Continuing along the coast, Dolphin's Bay comes into view, named for the playful dolphins often spotted frolicking in the waves here. When you arrive at Sancho Bay, jump off the boat to swim in the turquoise waters. Look below the surface to see the bay's colorful coral and tropical fish before returning to the boat to cruise back to land and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 9: Hike the Emerald Coast

Lace up your hiking boots and set off on a trek along the island's Emerald Coast this morning. Transfer to Vila dos Remedios and follow your guide down the trail through the dense foliage. As you walk, admire the endemic flora and fauna and keep an eye out for glimpses of the turquoise ocean through the trees. Break up the trek with stops at some of the eight picturesque beaches along the trail, starting at Praia do Cachorro and Praia do Meio.

Relax on the white sands, take a refreshing dip in the water, then continue up the hillside of Morro do Pico. From the top, enjoy panoramic views of Baia dos Porco's pristine sand and glittering water. Spend some more time beach hopping to Praia do Boldró, Praia do Americano, Praia do Bode, and Praia da Cacimba. After discovering Fernando de Noronha's west coast for four hours, return to your hotel to rest your feet and unwind.

Day 10: Fly to Recife, Transfer to Olinda, Explore at Leisure

Trade the pristine islands of Fernando de Noronha for the cobblestone streets of Olinda, a charming colonial town founded in 1535. Head to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight back to Recife, where you can meet your driver and transfer 30 minutes down the coast to town. After settling into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. If you want to shop, visit Mercado da Ribeira, a historic market dating back to the 19th century. Browse the stalls brimming with fresh produce, regional delicacies, and handmade crafts to find a unique souvenir to take home.

Continue to the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, housed within a striking modernist building, to discover the collection of avant-garde works from regional and national artists. When you get hungry, meander to Rua do Amparo to browse the array of restaurants and cafés offering a mix of traditional Brazilian dishes and international cuisine, then end the night with a drink at one of the nearby bars. If you haven't tried one yet, order Brazil's national drink, the caipirinha, a cocktail made with fresh lime juice, sugar, and cachaça, a spirit made from fermented sugar cane juice. 

Day 11: Guided Tour of the UNESCO-listed Alto da Sé

After breakfast, meet your guide for a full-day tour of Olinda's UNESCO-listed historic center, Alto da Sé. Not only is it one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, it's also situated on the highest point of the city, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Start your tour at the iconic Sé Cathedral, built in the 16th century by Portuguese settlers. Admire the Baroque-style architecture, then step inside to see the intricate wood carvings, gilded altars, and sacred artwork. Continue to the nearby Mercado de Artesanato da Sé to shop for handcrafted goods and local artwork.

Day 12: Free Day on Praia do Farol

Your penultimate day is free to spend as you wish, so you can head to Praia do Carmo, also known as Praia do Farol, for its charming lighthouse. Lay on the golden sand to soak up the sun, then go for a dip in the calm and inviting waves. When you get hungry, take advantage of the beachside stalls selling traditional Brazilian dishes, such as bolinho de bacalhau, small codfish fritters seasoned with herbs and spices. After a day on the beach, wander down Rua do Amparo in the historic center and choose from an array of local and international restaurants for dinner.

Day 13: Transfer to Recife, Depart

After 13 days of soaking up the sun and exploring Brazil's rich history and culture, your trip is, unfortunately, coming to an end today. If you have a later flight, you could relax on one of Olinda's beaches, such as Praia de Bairro Novo or Praia de Casa Caiada. Those who want to pick up some last-minute souvenirs can return to Mercado da Ribeira to shop and indulge in street food like pastéis, deep-fried pastries filled with cheese, shrimp, or meat. When it's time, return to your hotel to meet your driver, who will transfer you 30 minutes to the airport in Recife. Safe travels!