Boat Tours
Recife's location on a series of islands makes a boat tour a good way to see the town. Catamaran Tours (tel. 081/3424-2845 or 081/3424-8930; www.catamarantours.com.br) offers sightseeing tours on broad, comfortable catamarans. Historic tours of 1 1/2 hours show the old city. Full-day tours head up the coast to visit Fort Orange and the beaches of Itamaracá. The city tour costs R$22 to R$30 (US$11-US$15/£6-£8); the 6-hour Itamaracá tour costs R$35 (US$18/£9.50). Children ages 6 to 10 pay half price. Tours depart from Avenida Sul, 50m (164 ft.) past the Forte Cinco Pontas. Exact departure times depend on the tide. Call ahead to confirm.
Bus Tours
Luck Viagens (tel. 081/3464-4800; www.luckviagens.com.br) offers a range of bus tours. There's a 4-hour city tour that shows the highlights of Recife and Olinda (R$30/US$15/£8). There's also a full-day tour to Itamaracá island, R$75 (US$38/£28), where the Dutch built Fort Orange in 1631, and day trips to Porto de Galinhas for the best beaches and snorkeling in the area, R$65 (US$33/£18).
