Where to Stay in Recife, Brazil (2026 Guide)
Where to Stay in Recife, Brazil (2026 Guide)
Recife is Brazil’s oldest coastal city, packed with colonial architecture, fresh seafood, and a slower pace than São Paulo or Rio. The state of Pernambuco—where Recife sits as the capital—offers a different Brazil than most tourists expect. But picking a neighborhood here matters. Some areas are walkable, safe, and close to culture; others require taxis or aren’t set up for visitors yet.
This guide cuts through the noise. We’ve covered the best neighborhoods where first-time visitors land, what each one offers, and who they suit best. If you’re deciding where to stay in Recife, this saves you weeks of research.
What to Expect in This Post
This guide to where to stay is built for quick scanning and real-world decisions. Here’s what you’ll get:
- Real neighborhoods and areas to stay ranked by safety, walkability, and beach access
- 10 best hotels in Recife by neighborhood and price point
- Who each area suits (couples, families, budget travelers, nightlife seekers) varies significantly in the state of Pernambuco.
- Which zones to avoid and why
- Hotel, pousada, and apartment options across the city
- Honest pros and cons for each place to stay
Where to Stay in Recife: Quick Overview
- Boa Viagem — Best beach hotels, safest for tourists, restaurant strip, calm water
- Recife Antigo — Historic old town, colonial buildings, rooftop bars, walkable nightlife
- Pina — Emerging local scene, cheaper hotels and pousadas, younger crowd, good food
- Santo Antônio — City center, budget accommodations, cultural sites, quiet
- Boa Vista — Residential, tree-lined streets, local restaurants, requires Uber to beach
Boa Viagem: Best Beach Hotels in Recife
Best for: families seeking safety, couples looking for romantic getaways, and budget travelers exploring the state of Pernambuco. Beach lovers, families, first-time visitors, and anyone prioritizing safety will find Recife’s offerings appealing, particularly near the Mar Hotel.
Boa Viagem is a 7-kilometer crescent of sand with a reef offshore, meaning calmer water and fewer currents. The beachfront has restaurants, bars, and shops. Most hotels in Recife cluster here because it’s safe, developed, and consistently convenient.
Walkability is solid along the beach and main avenues. The neighborhood feels more Brazilian than touristy, though still geared toward visitors. Many families base themselves in Boa Viagem hotels. English is spoken in most hotel lobbies and restaurants.
Best hotels in Recife for Boa Viagem: Hotel Atlante Plaza offers mid-range comfort with fitness center and free wifi. Ibis Recife Boa Viagem is budget-friendly and well-located near the beach. Mercure Recife Boa Viagem provides four-star service with a rooftop pool, perfect for guests attending conventions at the nearby Mar Hotel. For luxury, Transamerica offers oceanfront suites and free breakfast.
You’ll find everything from hostels to four-star hotels in this neighborhood. Pricing is higher than inland areas, particularly in popular districts like Boa Viagem and near the Mar Hotel. The reef means no huge waves—ideal for families, less thrilling for surfers. Some travelers find Boa Viagem too resort-like; others prefer that stability.
Recife Antigo (Old Town): Historic Hotel Options
Best for: Culture enthusiasts, photographers, first-time visitors seeking walkability
This is where Recife’s colonial story begins. Cobblestone plazas, 17th-century churches, and riverside boardwalk bars line the waterfront. The old town has been restored and feels intentionally designed for tourists—galleries, street art, and weekend crowds.
Safety is solid if you stick to main streets and avoid solitary night walks. Walkability is excellent; major attractions are minutes apart. You’ll find mid-range pousadas and smaller hotels in Recife Antigo. Pricing is higher than other areas, and it’s noisier, but it cuts travel time to museums and the Instituto Ricardo Brennand in half.
Hotel options in this area: Pousada Dos Quatro Cantos offers colonial charm in a restored building. Pousada Lorde Inglês is budget-conscious and centrally located. Beach Class Convention is larger and includes a fitness center. Most hotels here include free wifi and free breakfast.
The vibe is alive, especially weekends. Weekdays feel quieter. If you want immersion in colonial Recife without feeling isolated, this neighborhood works. Just expect tourists and crowds, not a hidden gem.
Pina: Emerging Neighborhood for Local Flavor
Best for: Younger travelers, foodies, second-time visitors, anyone wanting authentic neighborhoods
Pina sits between Recife Antigo and Boa Viagem and has become the city’s coolest emerging area. The food scene is excellent—small restaurants, juice bars, and nightlife venues where locals actually go. There’s energy here without chaos.
Safety is comparable to Boa Viagem if you use street sense. Walkability is good along commercial corridors, especially in areas like Praia de Boa Viagem. You’ll find mid-range pousadas and newer boutique hotels. Prices are lower than Boa Viagem. Beach access is decent, though not as polished.
Accommodations in Recife’s Pina: Bugan Recife offers modern pousada-style rooms with free wifi. Smaller inns cluster here, offering better value than major chains. Many include free breakfast.
It’s less established for tourists, so fewer English speakers and fewer international hotel brands. But that’s why some travelers choose it. It’s changing fast and is now solidly safe with real cultural interest.
Santo Antônio: City Center & Budget-Friendly Hotels
Best for: History buffs, quiet explorers, budget travelers, those comfortable in less-touristy settings
Santo Antônio is Recife’s original city center and home to the Franciscan complex, one of Brazil’s best-preserved religious sites, showcasing the rich history of Pernambuco. The neighborhood is walkable, tree-lined, and feels like an actual neighborhood rather than a tourist zone.
It’s quieter and cheaper than Recife Antigo but with similar historic appeal. You’ll find smaller pousadas and budget hotels rather than major chains, particularly in the charming neighborhoods of Pernambuco. English is less common. Safety is solid during daytime; minimal nightlife means avoid solo night walks.
This is where you live like a local. The beach is a short taxi or Uber ride away. Museums, churches, and local restaurants are minutes apart. It lacks Recife Antigo’s energy but gains peace in return, making it a great escape in the state of Pernambuco. Many budget travelers and backpackers choose pousadas here.
Boa Vista Neighborhood: Residential Feel Near Downtown
Best for: Longer stays are ideal for travelers seeking residential neighborhoods, families with kids, especially in areas close to the airport.
Boa Vista is Recife’s tree-lined residential heart—where middle-class Brazilians live and eat. It’s safe, calm, and full of family-run restaurants and local bakeries. You’ll find authentic experiences here.
You won’t find many major hotels; look instead for pousadas or short-term villa rentals. The beach requires a 10-minute Uber ride. It suits people staying a week or longer and wanting to escape tourist cycles. Food is authentic and affordable.
The tradeoff: you lose walkable proximity to major attractions. It’s an excellent neighborhood for extended stays—just not for someone with three days in Recife.
Best Hotels in Recife for First-Time Visitors
Stay in these areas for the best balance of safety, walkability, and access to what matters:
- Boa Viagem hotels — Safety, structure, beach access, English speakers, wide hotel range from budget to luxury
- Recife Antigo hotels — History, walkability, galleries, nightlife, compact and explorable on foot
- Pina hotels and pousadas — If you want local flavor with manageable infrastructure; more authentic than the above two
Best Hotel Areas for Nightlife
Recife Antigo and Pina split the scene. Recife Antigo has louder, touristy beach bars and rooftop clubs. Pina has smaller venues where locals actually dance. For cocktails and club energy, choose Recife Antigo. For beer and local nightlife, choose Pina.
Best Hotel Areas Near the Beach
Boa Viagem dominates. Stay near Boa Viagem beach for calm water, reefs, and a developed restaurant strip. Pina offers beach access with more local flavor. Both neighborhoods put you steps from sand. Recife Antigo is walkable but requires a short trip to reach swimming.
Best Hotels for Families
Boa Viagem is best. It’s designed for families—safe, structured, calm beach water (thanks to reefs), shopping centers, and reliable hotel options with free breakfast and fitness centers. Santo Antônio works for longer family stays seeking residential neighborhoods.
Hotels vs. Pousadas vs. Apartments: What's Better?
Hotels work for short trips (3–5 days). Pousadas are common in Recife and offer charm plus affordability—great for any length stay. Apartments suit longer stays (one week+) and travelers comfortable navigating independently. In Boa Viagem, you have all three options. In Recife Antigo, hotels and pousadas dominate. Check booking.com for real reviews and compare free wifi, free breakfast, and fitness center amenities.
Where NOT to Stay in Recife
Avoid neighborhoods far from the coast and main city zones—places like Ibura or inland areas far from tourist infrastructure. They’re safe but lack restaurants, English speakers, and attractions. You’d spend money on Uber rides to reach anything worth seeing.
Peixinhos is undergoing development but remains inconsistent for tourists. Stick to waterfront areas and central neighborhoods we’ve covered.
Day Trips: Staying Near Recife
Consider staying in Recife and taking day trips to nearby attractions. Olinda, a UNESCO heritage site, is 10 kilometers away and features colonial architecture and bohemian vibes. Porto de Galinhas, famous for beach pools and snorkeling, is 60 kilometers south. Both are accessible via day tours or rental cars from any Recife hotel.
Some travelers choose to stay in Olinda instead of Recife. Staying in Olinda offers authentic colonial neighborhoods but requires taxi rides to Recife’s nightlife and restaurants. Most prefer a Recife hotel as a base with Olinda as a day trip.
Key Takeaways
- Boa Viagem is the safest base for first-time visitors, especially families and beach-focused travelers
- 10 best hotels in Recife span Boa Viagem, Recife Antigo, and Pina—choose based on priorities (beach, culture, or local food)
- Recife Antigo suits culture-first visitors who want walkable history and nightlife can find it in areas like Recife Antigo and near the Forte de São João.
- Pina is smart for younger travelers seeking authentic local flavor without sacrificing safety
- Book hotels for short stays; consider pousadas or apartments for longer stays
- Walkability is excellent along the coast and in historic zones; plan Uber access for inland exploration
- English is most common in Boa Viagem and Recife Antigo; expect less in residential neighborhoods
FAQ
Is Recife, Brazil safe for tourists?
Yes, in the neighborhoods we’ve covered. Boa Viagem and Recife Antigo are regularly used by international visitors. Use standard city sense—avoid empty streets at night and don’t flash valuables.
What's the best time to visit Recife?
October to March is warmest and driest. December to February is peak season and most expensive. September to October offers good weather with fewer crowds.
Do I need Portuguese to get by?
Not in Boa Viagem or Recife Antigo hotels and restaurants. English is spoken. Downtown and smaller restaurants benefit from a translation app. Brazilians are patient with travelers.
How do I get from Guararapes Airport to my hotel?
Recife International Airport (Guararapes) is 10 kilometers from the city. Use a pre-booked car service, official taxi, or Uber. A ride to Boa Viagem costs roughly 60–80 BRL; Recife Antigo costs slightly less.
What neighborhoods should I avoid?
Avoid staying far inland from the coast in areas like Ibura. Stick to waterfront and central zones we’ve covered.
Can I use my credit card everywhere?
Yes, in hotels, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas. Cash is useful for small vendors and markets. ATMs are plentiful in Boa Viagem and Recife Antigo. Check international fees with your bank.
How many days should I spend in Recife?
Three to four days covers main sites. Five to seven days lets you explore neighborhoods, day trips to Olinda or Porto de Galinhas, and move slower. Less than three days feels rushed, especially for those wanting to explore the beauty of Praia de Boa Viagem.
