Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Overview of Recife Recife boasts a heady mix of everything that makes Brazilian cities so magical, making for one dynamite tourist package. The coastal city offers a balance of culture and hedonism, with a well-preserved historic centre, a fabulous restaurant scene, lovely beaches and its own exciting Carnival. Recife is a port city and the capital of Pernambuco. Its location on a network of islands and estuaries, linked by a number of bridges, has earned it the moniker 'the Brazilian Venice'. The city is named for the offshore reefs (recifes) that keep the waters along its shoreline pleasantly calm and protected. The cityscape may be more picturesque than other Brazillian urban areas, but Recife is still a heavyweight industrial city, dominated by lofty skyscrapers. Although the tourism sector is booming thanks to its beautiful beaches, Recife has always attracted many business travellers as well as those in search of fun and sun. The beach of Porto de Galinhas, just south of the city, is often thought of as Brazil's best â€' which is no mean feat in a country celebrated for its paradisiacal coastlines. Those seeking a quainter, historical holiday should consider staying just beyond the urban sprawl in the UNESCO-listed town of Olinda. It provides laid-back colonial charm as well as easy access to energetic Recife.

Key Facts

Language: The spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, however Spanish and English are also used in the cities. Passport/Visa: All visitors require passports that are valid for at least the period of intended stay in Brazil but we strongly recommend that passports be valid for six months after intended date of travel. Border control may well deny entry to holders of passports valid for the period of intended stay. Sufficient funds to cover their stay in Brazil, as well as a return or onward ticket and documentation required for further travel, are necessary for all travellers. Visa requirements vary from country to country. Currency: The Brazilian currency is the Real (BRL). The US Dollar is also welcome in most tourist establishments. In the main cities, foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks or cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs in the country and most major international credit cards are accepted. Electricity: Brazil has a variety of electrical voltages, sometimes within the same city. The better hotels offer 220 volts, 60Hz. If not, transformers are available in electrical stores. Two-pin plugs with a grounding pin are standard.

Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Travmarket cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Event details can change. Please check with the organizers that an event is happening before making travel arrangements. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

Page 1/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Travel to Recife Climate for Recife Recife is a major port on the Atlantic Ocean, where the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers meet. The climate is tropical all year round, with warm temperatures and high humidity. However, visitors will be grateful for the ocean breeze that keeps conditions temperate. Temperatures range from 88°F (31°C) to 72°F (22°C). January is the hottest month. Things 'cool down' in July, which is the best time to visit, with a balmy temperature range of 81°F (27°C) to 68°F (20°C), accompanied by a little rain.

Health Notes when travelling to Brazil Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria are prevalent in Brazil, so insect repellent and protective clothing is essential if visitors will be travelling to the countryside. Malaria exists below 2,953 feet (900m) in most rural areas, and outbreaks of dengue fever occur frequently. Visitors travelling from infected areas outside the country require a yellow fever certificate, and vaccination is recommended for those travelling to rural areas, as outbreaks have occurred in recent years. Typhoid vaccinations are recommended if travellers intend to spend a lot of time outside of major cities. Milk in rural areas is not pasteurised, so it's best to avoid it. Hospitals in the major cities are fairly good, with cash and card payments both acceptable and travel insurance common. Safety Notes when travelling to Brazil In Brazil's metropolitan areas, crime is a fact of life. Rio, in particular, is regarded as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world and, although violent crime is generally limited to the favelas, foreigners are advised to take precautions. Visitors should not attempt to visit these township areas, even on a guided tour. Violent crime is on the increase due to the establishment of drug and criminal gangs around Rio and São Paulo. Muggings are frequent and visitors should dress down, conceal cameras and avoid wearing jewellery or expensive watches. Bank- and credit card fraud is common, including card cloning from ATMs, so tourists should keep sight of their card at all times and not use an ATM if they notice anything suspicious. Thefts are common on public beaches and visitors should avoid taking valuables to the beach. The threat of personal attack is lower outside the main urban centres, but incidents do occur. Women should be aware that sexual assaults have been reported in coastal holiday destinations. Beware of unofficial taxis and those with blacked-out windows, and be particularly careful on public transport in Rio, Recife and Salvador. Customs in Brazil Brazil is a diverse cultural and ethnic melting pot, but most social customs will be familiar to visitors. As a result of three centuries of colonisation by the Portuguese, the Brazilian culture is actually recognisably European in many ways. Physical appearance is considered important by most Brazilians and care is taken to dress well but generally not too formally. Duty Free in Brazil Travellers to Brazil can enter the country with 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars; 24 units of alcoholic beverages, with a maximum of 12 units per type of beverage; and goods to the value of USD 500, without incurring customs duty. Restricted items include fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Strict regulations apply to temporary import or export of firearms, antiquities, tropical plants, medication and business equipment.

Page 2/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Doing Business in Brazil Business practices vary quite substantially from city to city in Brazil: highly formal in São Paulo but more relaxed in Rio de Janeiro and other centres. Multinational companies have similar business etiquette to those in Europe or the US, while local businesses require a few more considerations, particularly preferring face-to-face meetings over phone calls or written communication. Brazilians place a high value on personal relationships within business environments and will generally only conduct business through personal connections or with those whom they have already established a personal relationship. Nepotism is considered not only acceptable but actually desirable, because it is seen as ensuring trust and good relationships in business. All meetings are preceded by handshakes and small talk, and visitors should avoid the temptation to rush things. Even after the meeting is over, it's considered rude to rush off. Entertaining is common, either at a restaurant or someone's home, again with the emphasis on building personal relationships. Punctuality is flexible, except when meeting at a restaurant, when tardiness is considered impolite, and a small gift or flowers for the host is common when invited to a home. Business suits are expected, especially for first meetings. Portuguese is the dominant language, and although English is widely spoken in business, an interpreter might be required. Business cards, as well as written documents, should be printed in both English and Portuguese. Business hours are 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Communication in Brazil The international access code for Brazil is +55. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available in tourist centred areas. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option. Tipping in Brazil Nearly all hotels add a service charge to the bill, usually 10 percent. Most restaurants also add 10 percent or more to the total of the bill, but must make it clear that they have done so; waiters appreciate another five percent if their service was good. Otherwise, a 10 to 15 percent tip is customary. Brazilians don't normally tip taxi drivers, except if they handle bags, although they may round up the total. Hotel staff expect small tips, and most other service personnel such as barbers and petrol station attendants, are usually rewarded with a 10 to 15 percent tip. Parking attendants earn no wages and expect a tip of around two real. Passport/Visa Note All visitors require passports that are valid for at least the period of intended stay in Brazil but we strongly recommend that passports be valid for six months after intended date of travel. Border control may well deny entry to holders of passports valid for the period of intended stay. Sufficient funds to cover their stay in Brazil, as well as a return or onward ticket and documentation required for further travel, are necessary for all travellers. Visa requirements vary from country to country.

Page 3/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Entry Requirements Entry requirements for Americans: Passports must be valid for six months beyond the departure date. Tourists can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Passports must be valid for six months beyond the departure date. Tourists can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: A valid passport is required. UK passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Australians: Passports must be valid for six months beyond the departure date. Tourists can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals need a valid passport, but do not require a tourist or business visa for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders need a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for South Africans: A valid passport is needed, but no visa is required by South African nationals for up to 90 days.

Page 4/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Getting around in Recife, Brazil Recife's metro is among Brazil's largest public transport systems. There are two central lines, and one South line providing direct access to the airport. The metro system is partially integrated with several bus lines, meaning travellers can make transfers with a single ticket from roughly half of the subway lines. The bus system consists of more than 100 routes throughout the metropolitan area. Minibuses, shuttles and taxis are also available, and it's recommended to go with a reputable company and use the meter.

Page 5/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Attractions in Recife, Brazil

Page 6/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Nightlife in Recife, Brazil

Page 7/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Shopping in Recife, Brazil

Page 8/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Dining in Recife, Brazil

Page 9/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Airports in Recife Recife Airport (REC) Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport www.aeroportorecife.net Location: Recife The airport is located seven miles (11km) from downtown Recife. Time: Local time is GMT -3 Contacts: +53 81 3322 4188 Getting to the city: The airport is connected to the Recife metro, which takes travellers to various stops in Recife every 8 minutes. The metro operates from 5am to 11pm. Bus lines from the airport take passengers to the neighbourhoods of Boa Viagem and Cidade Universitária in Recife and Piedade. There are taxis and rental car agencies at the airport. Car rental: Rental cars are available from Avis, Hertz, Movida, and Localiza. Airport Taxis: Taxi services are available from the airport. Facilities: Airport facilities include a post office, currency exchange, police unit, tourism office, shops, and restaurants. Parking: Parking is available for more than 2,000 cars.

Page 10/11 Recife, Brazil Destination Guide

Currency The Brazilian currency is the Real (BRL). The US Dollar is also welcome in most tourist establishments. In the main cities, foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks or cambios. There is an extensive network of ATMs in the country and most major international credit cards are accepted.

Exchange rate for 1 BRL - Brazilian Real 0.28 BMD 0.25 EUR 0.28 USD 0.19 GBP 30.30 JPY 0.36 CAD Bermudan Dollar Euro U.S. Dollar U.K. Pound Sterling Japanese Yen Canadian Dollar 0.28 CHF 0.38 AUD 6.99 UAH 93.95 KZT 418.95 LBP 0.20 LYD Swiss Franc Australian Dollar Ukrainian Hryvnia Kazakhstani Tenge Lebanese Pound Libyan Dinar 1.91 BOB 30.01 NPR 0.11 OMR 1.01 QAR 0.38 SGD 2.31 SEK Bolivian Boliviano Nepalese Rupee Omani Rial Qatari Rial Singapore Dollar Swedish Krona 1.84 TTD 2.78 VEF 12.75 DOP 1.87 HRK 5.18 MXN 163.12 XOF Trinidad Tobago Dollar Venezuelan Bolivar Dominican Peso Croatian Kuna Mexican Peso West African CFA Franc 0.88 PGK 0.28 BSD 0.59 FJD 6.30 HNL 30.75 DZD 331.44 MMK Papua New Guinean kina Bahamian Dollar Fiji Dollar Honduran Lempira Algerian Dinar Myanma Kyat 3.11 BWP 0.94 PEN 192.95 CLP 133.01 AMD 6.73 CZK 5.56 MDL Botswana Pula Peruvian Nuevo Sol Chilean Peso Armenia Dram Czech Koruna Moldova Lei 34.58 ISK 817.60 UZS 1.07 ILS 0.20 JOD 0.08 KWD 8.72 UYU Icelandic Krona Uzbekistan Sum Israeli New Sheqel Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Uruguayan Peso 9.88 MUR 7.93 NIO 2.32 NOK 1.09 PLN 1.04 SAR 40.62 LKR Mauritian Rupee Nicaraguan Córdoba Norwegian Krone Polish Zloty Saudi Riyal Sri Lanka Rupee 9.91 THB 1.02 AED 1.13 RON 2.16 HKD 163.49 XAF 6,252.77 VND Thai Baht U.A.E Dirham Romanian New Leu Hong Kong Dollar Central African CFA Franc Vietnamese Dong 3.88 ARS 0.75 XCD 2.18 GTQ 2.72 MAD 0.10 BHD 0.28 PAB Argentine Peso East Caribbean Dollar Guatemalan Quetzal Moroccan Dirham Bahrain Dinar Panamanian Balboa 0.42 AZN 867.42 COP 19.00 KGS 77.83 HUF 2.19 TJS 3,806.83 IDR Azerbaijan Manat Colombian Peso Kyrgyzstan Som Hungarian Forint Tajikistan Ruble Indonesian Rupiah 2.47 EGP 331.38 KRW 1,577.31 PYG 1.16 MYR 149.89 CRC 0.41 NZD Egyptian Pound South Korean Won Paraguayan Guaraní Malaysian Ringgit Costa Rican Colón New Zealand Dollar 29.14 PKR 18.58 RUB 4.34 ZAR 0.59 TND 0.56 BBD 0.49 BGN Pakistani Rupee Russian Rouble South African Rand Tunisian Dinar Barbadian Dollar Bulgarian Lev 0.82 TRY 12.97 PHP 9.07 TWD 54.67 NGN 29.81 XPF 1.09 GHS Turkish Lira Philippine Peso New Taiwan Dollar Nigerian Naira CFP Franc Ghanaian Cedi 34.76 JMD 0.50 ANG 0.38 BND 30.76 RSD 1.83 CNY 5,536.03 BYR Jamaican Dollar Neth. Antillean Guilder Brunei Dollar Serbian Dinar Chinese Yuan Belarussian Ruble 1.85 DKK 0.96 TMT 18.71 INR

Danish Krone New Turkmenistan Manat Indian Rupee

Page 11/11