Easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, Porto de Galinhas looks like it is straight out of a postcard. Long stretches of white sand are framed by palm trees, mangrove forests, turquoise water, and brightly colored fishing boats. In fact, the town has won the award by Voyage and Tourism for best beach in Brazil six years in a row.
Kitesurfers, surfers, divers, and sun bathers come from all over Brazil and the rest of the world to explore this beautiful stretch of coastline. One of the best features for snorkelers and divers are the ocean pools created by the reef walls, havens for sea life of all kinds. The reefs are fragile however, and some are off limits to travelers.
This playground for the Brazilian elite has a sordid past. Porto de Galinhas means Port of Chickens and this stunning beach was once the port stop for African slave merchants after Recife banned human trafficking.
Forbidden to mention the word slaves, people would instead say that there were new chickens in the port, hence the name Porto de Galinhas.
Now an expensive resort town, many travelers choose to stay elsewhere and visit Porto de Galinhas during the day. Recife is a modern and dynamic city a little over an hour away that has frequent transportation to the beach and plenty of accommodation options for about a third of what you would pay to be right on this famous beach.
Porto de Galinhas also doesn't have much in the way of nightlife, which is another reason why people choose to stay elsewhere. Recife has a vibrant and interesting nightlife with enough variety to suit every taste and budget.
If you don't want to stay in Recife, another option for accommodation near this spectacular beach is Olinda, a small colonial town located on a hill overlooking Recife. This UNESCO World Heritage site still maintains the feel of a 17th century village and has sweeping views, artist galleries, and plenty of restaurants and cafes for an evening's conversation over some wine.
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