Recife, Brazil 🇧🇷
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Recife is the capital of the state of Pernambuco, known for its cultural richness and beautiful beaches. |
👥 Population | Approximately 1.6 million people. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 30-50 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 4.95 BRL (Brazilian Real). Major banks include Banco do Brasil and Itaú. |
🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable. It's recommended to drink bottled water. |
🔌 Power | Voltage is 127V, 60Hz, with Type N sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Local providers include Vivo, Claro, and TIM. |
💳 Banking for Expats | N26 and Revolut are popular among expats for international banking. |
🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb and local rentals on OLX and QuintoAndar are popular options. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payment methods are widely accepted. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and local rental sites are prevalent. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Mandala is known for affordable lodging options. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cubículo Coworking is a highly recommended spot for remote work. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café São Braz is renowned for its great coffee and conducive work environment. |
💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups are organized by Recife Startups at local tech hubs. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Recife Expats' provide information on community events. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is widely used for convenient transport. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike sharing services are available via the 'BikeRecife' app. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Boa Viagem Beach is the closest and most popular beach, only 15 minutes by car. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Azul Linhas Aéreas operates extensively within Brazil. |
✈️ Top International Airline | LATAM Airlines offers various international routes from Recife. |
🛣️ Highway Access | BR-101 provides major road connections to other cities. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Recife's main bus terminal is located at TIP (Terminal Integrado de Passageiros). |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | The 'Bilhete Único' card allows access to public transportation. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and taxis are available for travel to nearby towns, with regular services to Olinda. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Santa Joana is one of the best-rated medical facilities. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga House Recife offers a range of classes and wellness activities. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit has multiple locations throughout the city. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Lave o Pet, offers laundry services including pick-up and delivery. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | iFood is the most popular food delivery service in Recife. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Don't miss trying 'Bolo de Rolo', a traditional Pernambuco dessert. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurante Espaço Verde serves excellent vegan dishes. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café do Mercado is famous for its desserts and local pastries. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Feira da Rua da Aurora offers local food markets at budget prices. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercado Livre is a popular local e-commerce platform. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Pão de Açúcar and Carrefour offer grocery delivery services. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The neighborhood of Boa Viagem has a lively nightlife scene. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria Devassa offers brewery tours and tastings. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Winehouse Recife focuses on local and international wines. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | The street food scene at Bairro do Recife is vibrant and diverse. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Curry in Recife serves a variety of Asian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The historic city center and the Recife Antigo district are must-visit areas. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museu do Frevo is dedicated to the vibrant dance and music culture of Pernambuco. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Basílica de São Pedro dos Clérigos is a key historical landmark. |
🕍 Religious Sites | The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is a beautiful church to visit. |
🎉 Annual Events | Carnival in Recife is one of the biggest and most colorful festivals in Brazil. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Recife Antigo is known for its art scene and cultural history. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro de Santa Isabel hosts concerts and cultural performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado de São José offers a glimpse into local life and crafts. |
🎼 Music Scene | The city has a lively music scene, particularly for local genres like Forró. |
🎨 Street Art | The walls of Recife are adorned with vibrant street art reflecting its culture. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cozinha do Mundo offers classes on traditional Brazilian cooking. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria São Pedro showcases local and contemporary artworks. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palácio do Campo das Princesas is an example of colonial architecture. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Recife is known for its rich Afro-Brazilian heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Parque da Jaqueira is a beautiful urban park ideal for walks and relaxation. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Serra da Capivara National Park, famous for its prehistoric rock paintings, is a few hours away. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The waterfront promenade at Boa Viagem is popular for cycling and walking. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Miradouro de Olinda offers stunning views of Recife. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The lagoons near the Praia do Paiva are good spots for birdwatching. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Praia de Piedade has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correios provides reliable mail and parcel delivery services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Recife's local shops specialize in electronics repair, such as Tech Solutions. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Clube Português offers recreational sports including table tennis. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Brasil-Estados Unidos offers Portuguese language classes for foreigners. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Pública de Pernambuco has a good selection of books and study spaces. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil hosts events and activities for the community. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Game Over Gaming Lounge provides a space for video games and competitions. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Recife, but nearby cities might have options. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$8,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$320,000) |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$260,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$450,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$5,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$348,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$7,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$560,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$5,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$416,000) |
💼 Corporate Tax | 34% for businesses in Brazil. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% on dividends distributed. |
🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 27.5% for high-income earners. |
🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 17% in Pernambuco. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Brazil has strict rules for taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on the value of the property. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard transaction tax is around 2%. |