Organized Tours in Recife and Olinda

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; www.catamarantours.com.br) offers sightseeing tours on broad, comfortable catamarans. Historical 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$25; the 6-hour Itamaracá tour costs R$35. 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. 081/3366-6222; 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). There's also a full-day tour to Itamaracá island, R$75, 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.