A historical boat trip under the bridges of Recife

Recife has many touristic destinations you have to check out while visiting, but there's one that definitely has to be added to your list: the "Catamarã" boat trip under the bridges of the city center. It is no coincidence that the city is dearly known as the “Brazilian Venice.” That's because the city center is composed of three main islands, all connected by bridges, showcasing a colonial European architecture built by the Portuguese and Dutch colonizers.  

In total, you will pass under five bridges, including the first and older large bridge built in Brazil, the Maurício de Nassau Bridge. Fun fact about this bridge: It took so long to be built, -more or less 14 years, it started at 1630- that a joke began spreading around the province: "you'll easier see a cow flying than this work completed." On the inauguration day, the Dutch Count Maurício de Nassau, Governor of Pernambuco, put a stuffed cow in a mechanism of ropes and pulleys and passed it from the one side of the bridge to the other. 

Ponte Maurício de Nassau

Pte. Maurício de Nassau, Recife - PE, 52171-011, Brasil

The interesting thing about this boat trip is that you get to know the history of the old times while enjoying a different perspective of the city from the river. One thing that I really like about this tour is that you discover places in Recife that you usually don't see easily, such as the port, or the river mouth.

Catamarã Tour Recife

Cais Santa Rita, s/n - São José, Recife - PE, 50020-360, Brasil

The tour can be done at different times of the day and during the whole week ( Monday to Friday - 11h, 16h, and 20h. Saturday - 11h, 14:30, 16h, 17:30 and 20h. Sunday - 11h, 14:30, 16h and 17:30). In any case, it's always better to check the website before going. Usually, the tickets cost 60 reais for an adult, and you can buy them online in advance. For me, the best tour time is around 16h, because you can see the sunset at the river at 17!

The "Catamarã Tour", where you can get the boat, can be found in the city center, very near to the Fortress of Cinco Pontas. I would recommend you to include it in your tour. I hope you enjoy our river and history!!!