Travel advisory · BrazilSome governments advise against travel to parts of Brazil.The warnings cover only these areas: Ceilandia, Favelas, Paranoá, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, Venezuela border area.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Ceilandia · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
Favelas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand, US
Paranoá · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
Santa Maria · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
São Sebastião · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
Venezuela border area · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France

Also named by one government: 160 km strip along Brazil's land borders (US), Complexo da Maré (Canada), Complexo da Penha (Canada), 20 km strip along the Bolivian border (excluding Pantanal National Park) (Canada), 20 km strip along the Colombian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the French Guiana border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Guyanese border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Paraguayan border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Peruvian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Surinamese border (Canada), 50 km strip along the Venezuelan border (Canada), Amazonas River and tributaries, Amazonas State (between Codajás and Belém do Solimões) (UK), Border zones (unspecified) (France), Chapada Diamantina National Park (trilha do 21) (Spain), Planaltina (Italy), Samambaia (Italy)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Exercise increased caution (regional advisories)	Aug 31, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	Oct 27, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution due to high crime rates (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Vigilance renforcée (pays à risque) (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Recife

Recife is a coastal city in northeastern Brazil, known for its rivers, bridges, colonial streets and long beaches.

Find a room in Recife Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Recife

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Recife is the capital of Pernambuco, on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Brazil. Rivers meet the sea here, and the bridges and waterfront earned the city its nickname, the Venice of Brazil. The historic center, Recife Antigo, lies along the old port and has colonial-era warehouses, churches and cafes. The Dutch held the city in the 17th century.

Olinda, a hilltop colonial town a short drive north, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a common day trip from Recife. The city is also known for frevo, the fast dance and music of its Carnival, and for Boa Viagem, a long urban beach lined with high-rise buildings. The driest months run from September to November, though the city is hot and humid all year. Plan three to four days: one or two in the city, one for Olinda, and time at the beach.

Recife in five

Get a Brazilian SIM or eSIM before you landVivo, Claro and TIM are the main networks. Ride apps, maps and payment apps all need mobile data, so set up a plan before you leave the airport.Phones and eSIM
Carry small reais notes for beach kiosksBeach kiosks and street stalls often take cash only, so keep small notes in your wallet and do not rely on one card.Money and costs
Use Uber or 99 for night journeysBoth apps show the price before you book, so use them for journeys after dark instead of hailing a car on the street.Getting around
Check the visa rules for your passportBrazil's entry rules depend on your nationality. Check the official rules for your passport before you buy flights.Visas and entry
Get cover that includes hospital careHospital treatment without cover can cost a lot. Check that your policy includes hospital care and emergency transfer, and save the insurer's number on your phone.Travel insurance

Things to do in Recife

See all attractions in Recife

Sight · RecifeCentro Cultural Georges Stobbaerts

Museum · RecifeMemorial Chico ScienceLook for the memorial inside the São Pedro courtyard; the entrance is not clearly marked.

Museum · RecifeInstituto Ricardo BrennandBuy tickets online in advance to reduce time at the entrance.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to RecifePut the places you like in Recife on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Real (BRL)
Entry: Visa or e-visa depends on passport; check before you fly
Emergency: 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
Tipping: 10% service often added to restaurant bills; optional
Time: UTC-3, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, humid
FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Summer, crowds
MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rain begins
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rainy season
MayRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rainy season
JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Rain, festivals
JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Wet, quieter
AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Drier, mild
SeptemberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, breezy
OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, warm
NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, hot
DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Holidays, busy

Average daily high and low in Recife, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Recife

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 32°
Humidity: 62%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 61%

Recife

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today30°26°61%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 61%.
Tue30°25°65%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 65%.
Wed30°26°57%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 57%.
Thu30°26°37%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 37%.
Fri30°26°25%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 25%.
Sat31°26°14%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 14%.
Sun32°26°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 9%.

Updated 03:05 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL

Amount

Converted to

BRL · Brazilian Real

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Olindaunder an hour by carA colonial hilltop town with baroque churches and carnival workshops.
Porto de Galinhasabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carA beach village with natural pools that appear at low tide.
Caruarua few hours by busA market town known for its craft fairs and the São João festivities in June.

Before you go to Recife

eSIM for RecifeNetwork options for Recife and OlindaRead the guide

Insurance for RecifeCover for medical care and trip delaysRead the guide

Cash and card in RecifeReais, card use and when cash helpsRead the guide

Stays in Boa Viagem or Recife AntigoBeach, old town or OlindaRead the guide

Rules for Recife, checked

Travellers arriving from countries with yellow fever risk may need a vaccination certificate. Check the rules for your route before you fly.
Brazil's entry requirements are set by the Brazilian government. Check the official consular site for your passport before you book.

Plan around Recife

Where to stay in Recife

Boa Viagem, the old port district or Olinda compared

Read the guide Getting around Recife

Buses, ride apps and trips to Olinda

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical daily spending

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules by passport and what to check

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Network options for Recife and the coast

Read the guide All of Brazil

Regions, flights and entry rules

Read the guide

Recife FAQ

Is Recife worth visiting?

Yes, for a few days of city beaches, the historic port district and the colonial hilltop town of Olinda next door. It suits people who like beach life, music and street culture. It is a weaker choice if you want quiet mountain scenery.

How many days do you need in Recife?

Three or four days covers the beach, the old port district and a day trip to Olinda. Add a day if you want to visit the coast south of the city.

Is Recife safe for tourists?

Keep to the main beachfront and historic areas, use ride apps after dark, and avoid carrying valuables on the beach. Ask your hotel which streets to avoid at night.

Can you visit Olinda from Recife?

Yes. Olinda is under an hour by car from central Recife, and ride apps also run there. Go in the morning to walk the hilltop streets before the midday heat.

What is the best time to visit Recife?

September to November is the driest period. It is hot and humid year round, and the rainy months run from roughly April to July.