Porto de Galinhas: A Paradise!

Porto de Galinhas is located in the municipality of Ipojuca, 50 km south of Recife. The journey between the Pernambuco resort town and Recife/Guararapes International Airport takes an average of one hour, and can be made by taxi or by the regular bus that departs from the airport itself. The bus operates daily from 6 am to 9 pm.

Natural pools in Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco – Brazil

Our third stop is in this paradisiacal region of Pernambuco, visited every year by both Brazilian and international tourists, who are enchanted by its natural beauty and excellent hotel infrastructure.

The natural tidal pools are another highlight, with water temperatures averaging around 28 degrees Celsius.

Porto de Galinhas owes much of its fame to the vast coral reef formations, which have earned the beach the title of Best Beach in Brazil no fewer than twelve times. Its rich ecosystem and exotic nature transformed a once simple fishing village into a renowned tourist destination in the 1990s. Travellers from across Brazil began arriving in the area to board traditional rafts (jangadas) and visit the reefs and natural pools. It was during this period that the first hotels, guesthouses, resorts, residential condominiums and holiday homes began to be built to cater to the growing number of visitors.

Since 2014, the destination has intensified efforts to protect the coral coastline and marine wildlife. Environmental groups and government bodies now monitor visits to ensure the preservation of the local biome. Two outstanding examples of this commitment are the Ecoassociados project (focused on sea turtle preservation) and the Hippocampus Project (dedicated to the conservation of seahorses).

The natural pools are home to a wide variety of fish species and form at low tide between the coral reefs. They are located near the resorts and can be easily accessed on foot — just a few metres from the sand — or by taking a ride on a jangada.

A few tips and recommendations:

• Visit the beach at low tide.
• Bring sandals to walk on the reef areas, and avoid using flippers in the pools, as they may damage the corals.
• Don’t forget your sunblock — ideally waterproof and reef-safe (non-oily).
• Take a ride on a jangada and enjoy a boat trip through the mangroves.
• Watch the sunset by the Maracaípe River.

It’s warm all year round, but between September and November the sun is more frequent, and prices are lower than during the high season from December to March.