🏃♂️ Running Through Brazil (Recife Edition)

I recently visited Recife for a short business trip, so my insights are brief but hopefully helpful! 🌍 Quick Intro to Recife Location: Largest city in Northeast Brazil (top 10 nationally). Climate: Steady 25-30°C year-round, with pleasant humidity. Name Origin: Derived from the natural reef ("recife") lining its coast—so straight it looks man-made on maps! This 1-meter-wide reef forms a natural breakwater, creating the historic harbor where Portuguese settlers first landed (later fought over by the Dutch). 🏙️ Must-See Spots (That I Mostly Skipped 😅) Marco Zero (Zero Kilometer Square) Colonial-era "mile zero" marker for measuring distances inland. Surrounded by European-style buildings and churches. Connects to the Carnival epicenter (iron bridge between the island and mainland). Carnival in Recife 🎉 When: Officially February (for a week), but kicks off in early December. Vibe: Unlike Rio’s commercialized parade, Recife’s is raw and spontaneous—featuring African-rooted dances (not samba!) blended with Indigenous influences. Crowd: 1.5 million people, 24/7 partying. ⚠️ Watch out: Pickpockets thrive here (one braggart posted about stealing double-digit iPhones… and got a free police escort). "Brazilian Venice"? 🚤 Google’s "Ctrip" calls Recife this—overrated. The rivers are no match for Venice (or even Wuzhen). Olinda (10km north) A colorful colonial town I missed (next time!). 🏖️ Boa Viagem Beach: Recife’s Postcard Stats: 7.8km long, with markers every 100m. Features: Shallow waters (waist-deep even 50m out). Soft sand (feels like walking on cement powder). Shark warnings 🦈—locals might swim, but you shouldn’t! Amenities: 60+ drink kiosks (coconut/pineapple galore). Clean toilets (attendants at each). Beach volleyball, soccer, roller rinks, playgrounds. ⚠️ Safety Notes Ranked top 10 for urban crime in Brazil—stay alert, especially at night. Boa Viagem is tourist-friendly, but avoid flashing valuables. Final Thought: Recife = sun, history, and untamed Carnival energy. Wish I’d seen Olinda—next time! #BrazilTravel #Recife #CarnivalVibes #BeachLife #SharkAwareness 😉