Recife is a capital of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. Living in the Boa Viagem quarter where is the best choice of the cheap hotels we took city bus 32 (2,15 reales) to get to the center. Like in Venice or St Petersburg it is located on the river’ islands connected by the bridges. Regarding safety Recife has even worse opinion then Belem. You will see many people sleeping on the streets. Beggars too. But it is Good Friday today. Little traffic, empty streets.
Old customs house in the old town is nice. Then we registered Marco Zero (km 0) plaque and ornate houses of 19th century sugar barons around. Plaza Republica with the imposing courthouse is worth to see. Unfortunatele famous Golden Chapel is under restauration now. There are many old churches, but most of them are closed.
It was 32 deg Celsius and very humid today but no rain at all. In such conditions after walking few hours in the sun it is a real pleasure to return to the a/c room and take a shower.
Let you know that even cheap hotels in Brazilian Nordeste have solid breakfast included in the room rate. You have a chance to try typical Brazilian dishes like yam, sweet potatoes, tapioca pancakes or exotic fruits. The hungry backpacker can eat as much as he can and survive after such a breakfast till the evening 🙂
