Catamaran tour on Recife's rivers
R$$$The Recife e Suas Pontes tour, run by Catamaran Tours, sails the Capibaribe and Beberibe rivers in central Recife, with a guide telling the city's history. It leaves from Cais de Santa Rita, in the São José neighborhood. It suits families, couples and anyone who wants to see Recife from the water.
Part of the guide Recife
Getting there from Porto de Galinhas
Boarding is at Cais de Santa Rita, the same terminal where bus lines 191 and 195 arrive; they leave from Porto de Galinhas and take about 2 hours, and the fare was R$ 14.80 to R$ 21.60 in 2025. By car it is about 50 to 65 km to Recife, around 1 hour without traffic.
Hours and admission
The tour runs every day of the year and lasts about 1 hour 20 minutes. In 2023 departures started at 11:00, with several times throughout the day; check the schedule when booking. In October 2026 prices started at R$ 95. In 2023, children aged 6 to 10 paid a reduced fare and children under 6 did not pay.
What to see
The catamaran passes the three islands of the center, Santo Antônio, Bairro do Recife and Boa Vista, and goes under the Limoeiro, Princesa Isabel and Duarte Coelho bridges. Along the way you see the Marco Zero square, the Ginásio Pernambucano, the Legislative Assembly and the Teatro de Santa Isabel. Tuesday to Sunday, on the 11:00 and 14:00 departures, except public holidays, the boat stops at the Parque de Esculturas Francisco Brennand. The company has other routes, such as the night tour Recife Iluminado and the family tour Piratas do Capibaribe.
Before you go
It is windy during the trip, so it is worth bringing a windbreaker. Food and drink are not allowed on board; in 2023 snacks and drinks were sold on board. The boat is accessible for people with physical disabilities. Recife City Hall also runs free catamaran tours on specific dates through the Olha! Recife program, with advance registration.