Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha holidays
Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha holidays at a glance
Recife has a character all its own. Its mix of modern high-rises and colonial architecture reflects the riches of the old plantation boom, which drew African and Amazonian indigenous communities into the city over centuries, and more recently the city has seen an artistic revival, with traditional music and dance reappearing in a modern, slightly gritty form. This is very much Recife travel guide territory for anyone who wants a Brazilian city with real texture rather than a tourist veneer.
A short drive away, Olinda has enchanted visitors for years with its cobbled streets and Portuguese baroque architecture – Olinda colonial architecture that rewards nothing more than an afternoon on foot, church to church, colour to colour.
Then there’s Fernando de Noronha: the only populated island in a protected Atlantic archipelago, and volcanic in origin. Craggy cliffs jacketed in scrubby vegetation close in on bays of sugary sand, the water is sapphire-clear, and much of the island falls within a protected marine park where sharks, dolphins, turtles and stingrays thrive largely undisturbed.
It’s reachable by air from Recife in around an hour and forty minutes, and it’s not an exaggeration to call it one of Brazil’s most spectacular stretches of coastline.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha combine Brazil’s rich colonial heritage with idyllic island scenery, offering colourful culture, beautiful beaches and exceptional wildlife all in one remarkable destination.
When to visit Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha
It’s hot with plenty of sunshine here year-round, and most rain falls between April and July, which means the Brazilian summer from December to March is actually one of the driest stretches – handy for anyone weighing up Recife holidays against the wetter coast further south.
December – February are part of the drier season which begins in September. In Recife, temperatures remain at 25-35°C year round but there is far less rainfall during this period. This is an ideal time for trips to the beach and city sightseeing (although the latter is enjoyable any time of year). Carnival is usually held in February in Recife and Olinda. Colourful preparations and a lively build up beforehand make this an exciting time to visit.
March marks the beginning of the wet season in Recife, lasting until July with rainfall predicted on up to half the days throughout.
December in Fernando de Noronha is still an ideal time to visit. The wet season here begins in February and lasts until July.
This is the height of the wet season in both Recife and Fernando de Noronha, with rainfall expected on a third to half of the days each month. If you don’t mind the downpours, you might enjoy city sightseeing at this time.
In Recife the temperatures range between 25-35°C year round but June and July will still be wet months with up to half the days experiencing rainfall.
In Fernando de Noronha the most copious rainfall should be over by July. Here the best time to visit, the drier season, begins in August.
September is the beginning of the dry season in Recife, with little cloud cover and good beach weather. This is an ideal time to visit Fernando de Noronha, which is at its driest August – December.
Top Things to do in Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha
North-eastern Brazil rewards travellers with a mixture of cultural discovery and outdoor adventure.
Get a fish’s eye view of the underwater world of Fernando de Noronha.
Explore on foot the compact colonial town Olinda, with an eventful history dating back centuries and some exquisite architecture.
Accommodation in Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha
Visitors can choose from characterful colonial properties, boutique hotels and beachfront accommodation throughout the region.
Accommodation options range from historic city stays in Olinda and Recife to exclusive island retreats on Fernando de Noronha.
The first class, utterly luxurious Kenoa Beach Spa and Resort is an intimate boutique property on a gorgeous stretch of northeast Brazil’s Atlantic coastline.
Nannai is a superb beach resort offering both relaxation and activities on the pearl-white sands of Brazil’s northeast Atlantic coast.
An eco-friendly guesthouse in rich gardens close to beaches and a small, friendly town.
Pousada Maravilha is a first class contemporary chic property with a stunning location on the coast of Fernando de Noronha island.
Small and friendly hotel capturing the colourful, historic ambience of Olinda.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Active Brazil: Remote Bahia and Fernando de Noronha
Places visited: Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha · Salvador, Lencois and the beaches of Bahia
15 days from £3,975
Off the beaten track Brazil: Dunes and lagoons of Lencois Maranhenses
Places visited: North coast: Natal, Fortaleza and Sao Luis · Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha
10 days from £2,775
FAQs about visiting Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha
Recife, Olinda and Fernando de Noronha is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit Recife, Olinda, Fernando de Noronha?
It’s hot with plenty of sunshine all rear round, but most rain falls between Mar-Jul, so the Brazilian summer is relatively dry. Dry season is the best time to visit Maceio, during the months of August and September.
Note that the time difference with the UK is UTC -2 hours in Fernando de Noronha and -3 hours on the mainland (Recife, Maceio). Daylight saving Oct- end Feb (approx) was discontinued in 2019.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of Recife, Olinda, Fernando de Noronha?
Brazilian Portuguese, a more languid and musical version of Portugal’s mother tongue.
- How do I get local currency in Recife, Olinda, Fernando de Noronha?
The easiest way to get local currency (reais) is to use a debit card in one of the many ATMs. You can also change US dollars in monet exchange offices – pounds sterling or euros are often not accepted as there is no rate available.
- What places combine well with Recife, Olinda, Fernnado de Noronha?
The towns and beaches of Brazil’s northeast: Natal, Pipa, Salvador da Bahia: Brazil’s most exotic city (1.5 hours by air from Natal, 1 hour 20mins from Recife); Lençóis in the Chapada Diamantina, via Salvador and a 6 hour drive.
- How do I get to Recife, Olinda, Fernando de Noronha?
You can fly to Recife via a change of plane in Portugal on the Portuguese airline TAP. Fernando de Noronha is 1 hour 40 minutes by air from Recife. Flights between Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo take around 3 hours; to or from from Salvador it is 1hr 20mins.
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