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Where it is and how long it takes
Porto de Galinhas is a village in the municipality of Ipojuca, on Pernambuco's south coast, beyond Recife. From the João Pessoa seafront it is about 181 km — close to two hours forty minutes by car, through the Recife metropolitan area.
It is one of Brazil's most famous beaches and one of the best-selling day trips from João Pessoa. You can drive or go with an agency, leaving early and returning at night.
The natural pools by jangada
The signature trip is to take a jangada — a traditional sail raft — out to the natural pools formed by the reefs opposite the village, at low tide. The water is shallow and clear, with fish all around — wear water shoes and do not stand on the coral.
As at Picãozinho, everything depends on the tide table: check it before leaving João Pessoa, because the low-tide time shapes the whole day.
Maracaípe, Pontal and Muro Alto
- Maracaípe: a wave beach and surf spot south of the village.
- Pontal de Maracaípe: where the river meets the sea, with jangada trips through the mangroves to see seahorses.
- Muro Alto: to the north, a long, calm natural pool formed by a reef wall.
Day trip or overnight?
To be honest: it is more than five hours on the road in total, and the village fills up in high season. A day trip works if you leave at 5 or 6 am, fit the pools into the morning low tide and come back in the late afternoon — or if you go with an agency and skip the driving.
If you want to see Recife, Olinda and Porto de Galinhas properly, it is best to split the trip. But if your base is the beach, João Pessoa has the calmest, most walkable seafront in the region.
If you are staying on the seafront, MAREVI manages serviced flats and apartments in Tambaú, Manaíra, Cabo Branco and Bessa, with a full kitchen and our own team. Book directly on WhatsApp and you skip the platforms' fee.
