Porto de Galinhas Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

Activities


Our pick of the best Porto de Galinhas Hotel Deals

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 AU$60 per night from 23 Oct to 24 Oct
AU$60
23 Oct - 24 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Porto ...
9/10 Wonderful! (660 reviews)
"Nice envionment, long walk to access to the beach. Room was less category I expected."

Reviewed on 26 July 2022

Pousada Sky Beach Flat
The Westin Porto de Galinhas, an All-Inclusive Resort

The Westin Porto de Galinhas, an All-Inclusive Resort

4.5 out of 5
Rodovia Porto de Galinhas, S/N, Lote 7-B-1-A, CUPE, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (611 reviews)
"Beautiful resort. Very nice friendly staff. Great food"

Reviewed on 13 June 2025

The Westin Porto de Galinhas, an All-Inclusive Resort
Baía Branca Porto de Galinhas

Baía Branca Porto de Galinhas

3 out of 5
Rua das Piscinas Naturais Nº 4, Porto De Galinhas, Ipojuca, Pernambuco
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (395 reviews)
"I liked the staff , the room was clean ,the breakfast, and the shops nearby. there isn't parking space available for guests."

Reviewed on 25 Sept 2025

Baía Branca Porto de Galinhas
Kembali Hotel Porto de Galinhas - Adults Only

Kembali Hotel Porto de Galinhas - Adults Only

4 out of 5
Loteamento Merepe II, Quadra 1, Lote 3A Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (327 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay there. To be honest, we were a bit skeptical at first since the streets outside seemed a bit run down and we realized that this is more of a local tourists spot and we were likely the only foreigners there with none of the staff speaking English. However, the staff’s friendliness ..."

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2025

Kembali Hotel Porto de Galinhas - Adults Only
Armação Resort Porto de Galinhas

Armação Resort Porto de Galinhas

3.5 out of 5
Loteamento Merepe II, Quadra G1, Lote 1A - Porto de Galinha, Ipojuca, PE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$392 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
AU$392
29 Oct - 30 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (280 reviews)
"We cannot wait to come back! From the wonderful, pleasant staff to the delicious food and super clean resort, my family had the best time here. It’s so close to the beach if you want to see the ocean, but also enough pools if you want to stay on the resort. The area is very safe during the day and ..."

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2025

Armação Resort Porto de Galinhas
Tabaobí Smart Hotel

Tabaobí Smart Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Fazenda 3 - Lote 2 - Praia do Cupe, Porto de Galinhas, Ipojuca, PE
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Ipojuca. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Muro Alto Beach and Porto de Galinhas Beach are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (240 reviews)
"Excelente"

Reviewed on 27 Dec 2024

Tabaobí Smart Hotel
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
Maracaipe Beach showing surfing and a sandy beach

Maracaípe

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

Maracaípe
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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 Maracaipe Point and Ponta de Serrambi Beach.

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

4/5(1 area review)

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


Porto de Galinhas Travel Guide

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