Porto de Galhinas is a delightful seaside resort in the state of Pernabuco frequented mainly by Brazilian tourism. Low prices, tropical beaches, and clear blue sea, endless summer, the festive air and folklore throughout the year ...
Because the council not to go? Simple, because the location is fantastic as it is, with international tourism virtually non-existent or almost.
Think about what would happen if it were invaded by the usual mass tourism ... prices proportionate to the European standards and the euro, a little world where the rhythms are not Brazilians, authenticity disappears.
Certainly, my speech is a very selfish, but I think it is shared by all those you are stopped in this place.
Here there certainly arrivals with tourism organized fortunately up to now the tourists are limited to attend the advertised luxury resort from brochures of tour operators who are nearby.
And so for the entire week the town is "owned" by the lucky few who can fully appreciate the beautiful beach and all services that Porto offers.
Locations that are filled nicely during the weekend when the nearby Recife (60 km) reached by the wealthy families own second homes or people eager to move two days after the festive week.
The most unique feature is the sudden change in sea conditions, thanks to the tides. With low tide, the water becomes transparent and calmissima (rarity for the sea of Brazil), the beach becomes very large and shows off the famous natural pools, reached by the typical jancada, wooden boats that allow navigation within a few cm d ' water (around the pools costs about 8 real, € 3). So you can walk on the rocky reef and dive into these pools of water incredibly transparent and full of colorful fish. A truly unique.
By contrast, with the high tide the reef is completely submerged up to not seeing, the beach retreats (at the center of the country almost disappears), and the shore the waves appear (during the 24 hours there are two moments of low and two moments of high tide). In both conditions, the water is hot and the media reaches 30 degrees.
On the beach are the "Barac", similar to our shores, but far more typical and simple. The most valuable is that the owners do not pay the rental of umbrellas and deck chairs, but only ask that the customer consumption during the day "bebita and petiscos" (drinks and snacks).
An example: 4 deck chairs, sun umbrella, 4 drinks, 2 caipirina, 1 beer, 1 piece of fried fish and chips ...... 25 real daily! (10 euro in four ....!)
Avoid the area in front of the center of the country, rather busy, and look for accommodation at either end of the beach .... the sea is better, the area is surrounded by palm trees and probably during the week will be the only guests of Barac.
During the day is a continuous street sellers, never insistent, anything imaginable in terms of food: go and behold the seller of "those". Stop the truck, pulls a piece of cheese like skewer, discovered the charcoal grill and start .... tasty! (1 pieces of real cheese - € 0.40).
Few minutes and time is the passing of the fisherman with a bucket of fresh oysters: boxcutter to open the shell, splash of lemon, pinch of salt ... (6 oysters real 5 - € 2), and even prawns, lobster, cocktails , ice cream, coconut. Never annoy.
Behind the beach lies the town, tourist and very distinctive, with a long pedestrian street full of shops, bars and restaurants overlooking the sea.
Restaurants .... another flagship of
Porto de Galinhas. An infinite choice, beautifully positioned with terraces overlooking the sea, excellent service. Eating appetizers, pasta with seafood, prawns, grilled fish and meat, never spent more than 130 real in five (50 euros).
Near Porto there are some beautiful deserted beaches that are worth achieving. The most characteristic is to move the buggy, which allows you to travel the roads silting. In town there are many owners buggy with which to contract the money: half-day rental about 60 real (25 euro).
The first beach you reach is Maracaípe the classic postcard of the tropics. Deserted beaches, towering palms and curved sea virgin. The next stop Praia do Cupe, where they are starting to build some resorts, but is so infinite that for 90% remains empty. Finally Muro Alto, very characteristic because wholly protected by cliffs at low tide creating a huge pool, almost two kilometers long.
Finding accommodation is not ever a problem. In Porto there are an infinite number of Pousada well-prepared for every budget. Note that the period of high season is the end of December, January and February (comparable to our July and August), when the rates almost doubled and remained out anyway.
Personally I found the wonderfully Pousada do Frade, both for its splendid location on the edge of the center and a few meters from the best stretch of beach, but also for the quality of the service and rooms. Tucked within a beautiful garden with a small swimming pool, offers two types of rooms. Double rooms, quite small but well-treated, or family accommodation for four persons, with bedroom, living room, kitchen and patio outside the pool. Rates: double room, high season real 120 - € 48, low season real 80 - € 30. Family room real high season 200 - € 80, low season € 120 real 48th
Including breakfast buffet with cold and the kitchen when preparing giant omlette and omelettes at will.
In the evening you can dine on the veranda or poolside. More than half a kilo of fillet of Brazilian grilled meat accompanied by rice, vegetables and beer at a price of 25 real (10 euro).
Finally, the renewal of advice: do not go to
Porto de Galinhas!