Porto de Galinhas Travel Guide

Recife

Porto de Galinhas featuring general coastal views, a sandy beach and swimming
Porto de Galinhas showing a bar
Porto de Galinhas featuring general coastal views, a beach and sailing
Porto de Galinhas featuring rafting, general coastal views and sailing
Porto de Galinhas showing general coastal views, water sports and swimming

Join surfers and nature lovers that flock year-round to the glorious beaches of this coastal town.

Porto de Galinhas is one of Brazil’s finest beach towns. With white-sand beaches, pristine coral reefs, mangrove forests and tidal pools, it’s a place blessed by the splendour of Mother Nature. Porto de Galinhas began as a slave trading centre and later became a fishing village. Today, largely devoid of overdevelopment, nightlife and traffic, Porto de Galinhas attracts travellers that want to get away from the city bustle to discover Brazil’s celebrated beach culture.

Get your bearings by visiting the small cluster of streets that make up the town centre. Find a number of bars, restaurants, rental shops, supermarkets and tour operators. Go to the Hippocampus Project Office, a research centre for the study and conservation of seahorses. Its showroom has aquariums with seahorses and other marine animals.

Spectacular scenery spreads in all directions from the town. Dedicate time to exploring the series of beaches, each of which boasts gorgeous stretches of sand, transparent water and natural pools. Practice water sports such as body boarding, kitesurfing, surfing and Jet Skiing. Marvel at the vivid colours of large schools of fish while snorkeling and scuba-diving at unspoiled reefs.

Directly north of the town centre is Porto de Galinhas Beach. Watch surfers ride big waves and mingle with a young, chic crowd at Cupe Beach. Swim in one of the area’s largest tidal pools at Muro Alto Beach and escape the crowds at secluded Camboa Beach.

Towards the south is Maracaípe Beach. Surf in consistent, rolling waves at high tide and bathe in the Pontal de Maracaipe tidal pools at low tide. Cool off with a cold beer or fruit juice at bars that almost sit in the warm sea water. Look for nesting seahorses on a boat trip along the Maracaipe River.

Further south, and across the mouth of the Maracaipe River, is Serrambi Beach. This is a popular starting point for scuba-diving trips to off-shore reefs.

Located in the municipality of Ipojuca, Porto de Galinhas is under a 90-minute drive south of Recife. Shuttle buses travel regularly between the Porto de Galinhas town centre and Recife. Get between the beaches by foot or via four-wheel drive buggy tours.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Porto de Galinhas

Enotel Porto de Galinhas - All inclusive
Enotel Porto de Galinhas - All inclusive
4 out of 5
G2G2+HW - PE-009, Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, PE
The price is £296 per night from 26 May to 27 May
£296
includes taxes & fees
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Ipojuca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 15 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Porto de Galinhas Beach and Maracaipe Beach ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (473 reviews)
"Awesome!"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2025

Enotel Porto de Galinhas - All inclusive
Malia Resort By Mai
Malia Resort By Mai
3 out of 5
Rodovia Frederico Loyo, Loteamento 1A lote 7A, Ipojuca, PE
The price is £43 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
£43
includes taxes & fees
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (78 reviews)
Recomendo
""Adoramos nossa estadia no Malia Resorts by Mai! Tudo era muito limpo, novo e confortável. A localização era perfeita e o café da manhã era simplesmente sensacional! Recomendamos demais!""

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Malia Resort By Mai
Pousada Sky Beach Flat
Pousada Sky Beach Flat
2.5 out of 5
Rua Merepe III, S/N, Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, Pernambuco
The price is £25 per night from 27 May to 28 May
£25
includes taxes & fees
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (607 reviews)
"Nice envionment, long walk to access to the beach. Room was less category I expected."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2022

Pousada Sky Beach Flat
Village Porto de Galinhas
Village Porto de Galinhas
3.5 out of 5
Rodovia PE 09 Km 5,5 - Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, PE
The price is £138 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
£138
includes taxes & fees
1 Jun - 2 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (659 reviews)
"The property itself is nice and clean. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The resort is 10-15min away (by car) from downtown Porto de Galinha where all stores and restaurants are; therefore either you have to have a car, a rental, or use uber. Which is all right, if you are prepared for it… just ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2025

Village Porto de Galinhas
NANNAI Muro Alto
NANNAI Muro Alto
5 out of 5
Rodovia PE 09 km 3, Praia do Muro Alto, Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, PE
The price is £457 per night from 13 Jun to 14 Jun
£457
includes taxes & fees
13 Jun - 14 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (501 reviews)
"Great property and food. Just wish the vip was honored since they said no to the program."

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2025

NANNAI Muro Alto
Ocaporã Hotel - All Inclusive
Ocaporã Hotel - All Inclusive
3 out of 5
Sitio Costa Tropicana Lote 1-b2, Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 3-star beach resort in Ipojuca. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 5 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (150 reviews)
"Great spot."

Reviewed on 21 Nov 2024

Ocaporã Hotel - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Porto de Galinhas

Porto de Galinhas

Ipojuca Centro

If you're spending some time in Ipojuca Centro, Porto de Galinhas Beach and Porto de Galinhas Natural Pools are top sights worth seeing.

Ipojuca Centro
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Pontal de Serrambi

While Pontal de Serrambi may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ponta de Serrambi Beach and Maracaipe Point.

Pontal de Serrambi
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Gaibu

Travellers like the beaches in Gaibu, and Gaibu Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Gaibu
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Paiva

If you're spending some time in Paiva, Paiva Beach and Itapuama Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Paiva
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Barra de Jangada

Travellers like the beaches in Barra de Jangada, and Barra de Jangada Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Barra de Jangada
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Candeias

Travellers like the beaches in Candeias, and Candeias Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Candeias


Porto de Galinhas Travel Guide

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