Pernambuco Holidays

Pernambuco (state)

Relax in the idyllic beach towns and find out about the plantation history amid the dramatic scenery across this state.

Pernambuco is a diverse province, with a range of cultures and a rich history. It is varied throughout, from the stunning beaches of Brazil’s northeastern coast to the sugar plantations of the undulating inland terrain. Learn how European settlers arrived in the 16th century to establish thriving cotton and sugar trades.

The state capital of Recife is among the most alluring beach hotspots in the country. Get a sense of the colonial history with a stroll through Old Recife and the Santo Antonio island zones, which are adorned with quaint Dutch structures. Visit in February for the carnival parades.

Head to Recife’s lively Boa Viagem Beach for its malls, restaurants and bars. Go surfing and rent gear from a watersports centre. In the northern outskirts of the city is the glorious UNESCO village of Olinda, which is known for its Portuguese Baroque architecture from the 1500s.

Explore the coast to see seemingly endless stretches of white sand. Embark on trails through rural parks and swim in the ocean to take advantage of year-round hot weather. Explore Pernambuco’s islands: Head out in a boat to Ilha de Itamaracá or fly to the distant Fernando de Noronha to scuba dive and snorkel in crystal-clear water.

Among the main resort towns in the state is Cabo de Santo Agostinho. Relax in the beach resorts and coves of this stunning coastal retreat. See tidal pools and mangrove forests by the white-sand stretches of Porto de Galinhas. Go surfing on the choppy waves of Maracaipe Beach and relax on the picturesque Carneiros Beach. Escape to the waterfalls and mountains of the Vale do Catimbau National Park.

The state of Pernambuco occupies a relatively narrow strip of land leading from the Atlantic Ocean on Brazil’s eastern coast to Piauí in the heart of the country. Get a flight to Recife International Airport and travel through the state on long-haul buses and rental cars. A visit to Pernambuco offers quaint colonial architecture and pristine beaches with watersports options.