Boa Viagem Beach

The most famous beach of Recife, this beach goes from Pina in the north the beach of Piedade in the south. It's seven miles of white sands, coconut palms and a sea of green punctuated by pools. In the extensive boardwalk, there are standardized kiosks, jogging track, showers, volleyball and bodybuilding equipment. One of the most crowded beach is the stretch between the streets Felix de Brito e Melo and Antonio Falcao, in front of the building Acaiaca. Full of hawkers, is all in Boa Viagem - pineapple fresh mussels in broth and beans, besides repentistas and emboladores. Due to the presence of sharks at this beach, dips are permitted only in areas protected by natural reefs. Surfing is prohibited.

The beach is protected by natural reefs, which the city was named after. Low tides reveal many natural pools along the shoreline. It's possible to walk along the tops of the reefs which are wide and flat but slippery. During high tides the reefs are completely submerged. Swimming past the reefs is discouraged as there have been several cases of attacks by sharks, however the waters protected by the reefs are considered safe.

Kiosks line the beach selling simple foods such as drinks, coconuts and snacks. Cooking is not allowed, so don't expect to find hot foods within the kiosks, but there are plentiful restaurants across the street from the beach. On the beach there are often barraca's, which are make shift businesses which generally sell beer and water, they have a few chairs for patrons. Prices aren't written down, so make sure you ask before making a purchase. Drinking beer in public is allowed, which is different from many cultures. Expect to find lots of sellers on the beaches during the many hot days of summer.

Walking up and down the beach are ambulantes, which offer all kinds of goods, including food. Cashews, raw oysters, fried shrimp, sandwiches, fruits and codornas eggs, a small egg from a Brazilian bird. Aside from the foods, they have artwork, hammocks, hats, and sunglasses. Be warned, the sunglasses may not provide any UV protection! Bring your own.

The beach can be divided into a few zones. The southern part close to Piedade is frequented mostly by locals. Services here don't cater to tourists; expect lower quality and lower prices.

The area between the far south and Praca de Boa Viagem is often referred to as Setubal. It's also mostly frequented by people living in the neighborhood, which is generally middle class. The sand strip is narrow, because of erosion, even though the government has tried to stop it. When the tide is high, there isn't a lot of room left on the beach unfortunately.

From the Praca de Boa Viagem going north for about 4 km is the most frequented zone of the beach. Most of the hotels and pousadas are located here, either on the main avenue or on nearby streets. Middle and upper class families live here and along with tourists they are the most frequent visitors.

The sand strip is wider here, leaving more space for football/soccer and volley ball courts. The walkway has several spots for gymnastics and is preferred area for joggers. The high concentration of tourists attracts plenty of businesses including restaurants, shops, and services. This is also the best policed area in Recife.

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Map of Boa Viagem Beach