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Porto de Galinhas

Porto de Galinhas travel guide

Beach in state of Pernambuco, Brazil

Things to do13 experiences
Best time to visitAll year round
Nearest airportREC · 27 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−3

About Porto de Galinhas

Porto de Galinhas is a beach in the municipality of Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brazil. Porto de Galinhas is a major tourist destination. The beach is famous for its bright-water beaches and the natural pools. It is part of the municipality of Ipojuca, and located 60 kilometers (37 mi) south of the state capital, Recife. The municipality of Ipojuca, where Porto de Galinhas lies, was established on November 12, 1895.

Places to visit in Porto de Galinhas

  1. Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools

    Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools

    Beach

    Warm, clear pools that form among the reefs off the main beach at low tide, full of small tropical fish. Check the tide table and take a traditional raft out when the tide is at its lowest.

  2. Maracaípe Beach

    Beach

    A long beach just south of the village, popular with surfers and known for the mangrove-lined river mouth where seahorses live. Take a small boat tour on the river to spot the seahorses with a guide.

  3. Muro Alto

    Beach

    A beach north of the village where a long reef creates a calm, shallow lagoon ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. It is a good choice for families with small children who want gentle water.

  4. Santo Aleixo Island

    Santo Aleixo Island

    Nature · 8 mi from centre

    A small, mostly undeveloped island off the southern Pernambuco coast with clear water and quiet beaches. Visits are by boat tour from nearby beaches, so bring sunscreen and water for the day.

  5. Cabo de Santo Agostinho

    Cabo de Santo Agostinho

    Historic · 15 mi from centre

    A headland and town north of Porto de Galinhas with colonial fort ruins, old churches, and fine coastal views. Visit the historic park on the cape and stop at the beaches below on the way back.

  6. Recife Antigo

    Recife Antigo

    Neighborhood · 32 mi from centre

    The historic island district of Recife, with restored colorful buildings, museums, and the oldest synagogue in the Americas. Go on a Sunday, when the main streets close to traffic and fill with stalls and music.

  7. Ricardo Brennand Institute

    Ricardo Brennand Institute

    Museum · 31 mi from centre

    A museum in a mock castle on the edge of Recife, with a large collection of arms and armor, plus Dutch colonial paintings. It is outside the center, so combine it with the nearby Brennand ceramics workshop.

  8. Olinda

    Olinda

    Historic · 36 mi from centre

    A hilly colonial town next to Recife filled with Baroque churches, pastel houses, and artist studios. Walk up to the Alto da Sé square for views over the sea and the Recife skyline.

Things to do in Porto de Galinhas by type

13 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Over 6 hours 4
  • 3-6 hours 1
Good for
  • Couples 1
  • Families 1
  • Youth 1
  • Senior 1
Ways to go
  • Shore excursions 3
  • Small group 3
Browse all things to do in Porto de Galinhas

Top experiences in Porto de Galinhas

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 13 available.

See all things to do in Porto de Galinhas

Where to stay in Porto de Galinhas

Popular hotels in Porto de Galinhas, out of 205 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Porto de Galinhas

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Porto de Galinhas is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 80–86°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 76° – 85° 20
Feb 76° – 85° 23
Mar 76° – 86° 25
Apr 76° – 85° 21
May 74° – 83° 25
Jun 73° – 82° 28
Jul 72° – 80° 27
Aug 72° – 80° 24
Sep 73° – 81° 23
Oct 74° – 82° 21
Nov 75° – 84° 16
Dec 76° – 84° 20

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Porto de Galinhas weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 83° 76° 78%
  • Thu 22 Oct 83° 76° 91%
  • Fri 23 Oct 83° 75° 96%
  • Sat 24 Oct 84° 77° 20%
  • Sun 25 Oct 85° 77° 12%
  • Mon 26 Oct 86° 76° 6%

Know before you go

Currency
Brazilian real (BRL)1 US dollar ≈ R$5.05
Language
Portuguese
Calling code
+55
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/RecifeUTC−3
Capital
Brasília

Upcoming public holidays in Brazil

  • All Souls' DayDia de Finados
  • Republic Proclamation DayProclamação da República
  • Black Awareness DayDia da Consciência Negra
  • Christmas DayNatal
  • New Year's DayConfraternização Universal
  • Good FridaySexta-feira Santa

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Porto de Galinhas

These are the airports closest to central Porto de Galinhas. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • REC Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport27 mi (43 km) from the city centre
  • CAU Caruaru Airport71 mi (114 km) from the city centre
  • MCZ Maceió-Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport88 mi (142 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Porto de Galinhas

Getting around Porto de Galinhas

The town is small and easily navigable on foot. Uber and 99Taxi also work, as of December 2019, and a typical 10-minute trip costs about R$ 6.

Porto de Galinhas travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Porto de Galinhas?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Porto de Galinhas is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 80–86°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.

What is the weather like in Porto de Galinhas?

March is usually the warmest month in Porto de Galinhas, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). August is the coolest, with average lows of 72°F (22°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 248 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Porto de Galinhas?

Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) is the closest airport, about 27 miles (43 km) from the centre of Porto de Galinhas. Other nearby airports include Caruaru Airport (CAU, 71 mi) and Maceió-Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport (MCZ, 88 mi).

What currency is used in Porto de Galinhas?

Porto de Galinhas uses the Brazilian real (BRL). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ R$5.05.

What time zone is Porto de Galinhas in?

Porto de Galinhas uses the America/Recife time zone (currently UTC−3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Porto de Galinhas?

The town is small and easily navigable on foot. Uber and 99Taxi also work, as of December 2019, and a typical 10-minute trip costs about R$ 6.

What are the best places to visit in Porto de Galinhas?

Top sights in Porto de Galinhas include Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools, Maracaípe Beach, Muro Alto and Santo Aleixo Island. Warm, clear pools that form among the reefs off the main beach at low tide, full of small tropical fish. Check the tide table and take a traditional raft out when the tide is at its lowest.

What are the top things to do in Porto de Galinhas?

Popular experiences you can book in Porto de Galinhas include Cabo de Angostinho by Buggy from Porto de Galinhas. Destina Holidays offers 13 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Porto de Galinhas?

The most popular types of experiences in Porto de Galinhas are day trips & excursions (7), outdoor activities & adventure (2), cruise & water tours (2) and transport & rentals (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Porto de Galinhas?

Popular areas for hotels in Porto de Galinhas include Porto de Galinhas. Well-reviewed options include Nannai Muro Alto and Tabaobi Smart Hotel.

How many hotels can I book in Porto de Galinhas?

Destina Holidays currently lists 205 properties in and around Porto de Galinhas, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.