Weather in Recife

About Recife

Recife pulses as Brazil's Northeast cultural capital, a city of waterways and bridges where Olinda's colonial hilltop glows across the water. Frevo umbrella dances spiral in street carnivals, and the energy is chaotic, creative, and authentically Brazilian. Recife's beaches offer reef exploration and vibrant beach culture.

Country

Brazil

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

BRL

Language

Portuguese

Things to do in Recife

Olinda colonial hilltop tour: pastel architecture and art galleries Frevo cultural performance: umbrella dance tradition viewing Recife carnival preparation tours and cultural immersion Coroa reef snorkeling and boat tour expedition Perto beach bar crawl and caipirinhas on sand Marco Zero historic city center walking tour

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

February

29C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

March

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

April

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

May

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

June

27C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

July

27C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

August

27C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

September

27C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

October

28C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

November

29C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

December

29C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

Recife earns its old nickname 'Venice of Brazil' from the rivers and bridges threading through its downtown, but its real draw lies just north in Olinda's hillside lanes of colonial churches and ateliers, and along the city's own long urban beachfront at Boa Viagem. As one of Brazil's main Carnival cities, Recife and Olinda together throw some of the country's most distinctive pre-Lenten celebrations, built around the frenzied frevo dance and giant papier-mâché puppets.

Best areas to stay in Recife

Boa Viagem

Recife's main urban beach neighbourhood, lined with hotels, restaurants and a long promenade.

Recife Antigo (Old Recife)

The historic downtown island district, with restored colonial buildings, bars and cultural centres.

Olinda

A UNESCO-listed colonial hill town just north of Recife, known for art studios, churches and Carnival celebrations.

Boa Vista

A central neighbourhood with markets, shops and a mix of historic and modern buildings.

Getting to Recife

✈

Flights

Recife's airport (REC) has direct flights from major Brazilian cities and some direct connections from Europe.

⏱

From London

~8-9 hours direct from Europe where available; otherwise via a connection, totalling 13-15 hours from the UK.

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Getting around

Taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the city; buses connect Recife to Olinda, and Boa Viagem's promenade is walkable.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Recife?

September to January is the driest period with reliable sunshine; Carnival (dates vary, usually February or March) is a major draw but also the busiest and most expensive time to visit.

Is Olinda worth visiting separately from Recife?

Yes — Olinda is a short bus or taxi ride from Recife and feels like a different world, with cobbled hillside streets, colonial churches and a thriving arts scene.

Is it safe to swim at Boa Viagem beach?

Shark attacks have occurred along parts of Boa Viagem, particularly near river outlets — check current local advice and warning flags before swimming, and consider pools or other beaches.

What is frevo?

A fast, energetic dance and music style with origins in Recife and Olinda, central to the region's distinctive Carnival celebrations.

How do you get around Recife?

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most convenient option; a metro system covers some routes, and buses connect Recife to Olinda.

Traveler reviews

★★★★☆

Olinda was the highlight — wandering the hillside streets between colourful churches and artist studios felt like stepping back in time, just a short ride from Recife.

Eduardo L. · December 2023

★★★★★

Visited during Carnival and the energy in Recife and Olinda was incredible — frevo dancing in the streets and giant puppets everywhere.

Megan W. · February 2024

★★★☆☆

Boa Viagem beach was nice for walking but we stuck to the hotel pool for swimming given the shark warnings — worth checking current advice before you go.

Caio S. · October 2023