Sample Itinerary forRecife, Brazil
EASY (click to see rating scale)
Day 1: Welcome to Recife!
We arrive in Recife, settle into our hotel, and gather for a welcome dinner in Recife Antigo. The evening features a live performance celebrating Pernambuco’s diverse musical heritage—including maracatu, frevo, and manguebeat—as we begin our journey of cultural immersion.
Day 2: Recife Orientation & Festa de São João
We explore Recife’s African legacy through guided visits to Recife Antigo, Marco Zero, and the Museu do Homem do Nordeste. As this is the second-to-last night of Festa de São João, we’ll be immersed in a city alive with colorful flags, forró dancing, bonfires, and maracatu street rehearsals. Evening includes joining locals in the joyous festivities.
Day 3: Cooking & Final Night of São João
After a morning exploring the Mercado São José, we’ll take part in a hands-on Brazilian cooking class. In the evening, Recife’s Festa de São João finale unfolds across the city with fireworks, live forró music, and a high-energy celebration of northeastern Brazilian identity. We’ll dance, cheer, and enjoy this cultural high point together.
Day 4: Travel to Porto de Galinhas
We journey south to the tropical beach town of Porto de Galinhas. After checking in at our resort, you’ll have time to relax on the beach, swim, or explore the laid-back town. This slower pace offers time to reset and reflect.
Day 5: Coastal Conservation & Community Learning
We meet with local leaders focused on marine and reef conservation, then take a jangada raft tour (tide permitting) to view Porto’s famous tide pools. The afternoon is yours for beach time, optional water activities, or relaxing at the resort.
Day 6: Return to Recife / Museum & Sunset Dinner
We head back to Recife and explore the dynamic Paço do Frevo museum to better understand Pernambuco’s vibrant dance and musical traditions. Our day ends with a beautiful sunset dinner by the Capibaribe River, reflecting on our growing connection to place and people.
Day 7: Volunteering with Bate Solto – Community Through Rhythm
Today we volunteer with Bate Solto, a cultural and community group using rhythm, percussion, and public art to engage youth and promote equity in Recife’s underserved neighborhoods.
Depending on community needs, activities may include:
- Supporting music and arts-based education programs
- Assisting with space improvement or organization
- Participating in cultural exchange and percussion jams with local youth
- Bate Solto’s mission celebrates cultural pride, social transformation, and youth empowerment through the drumbeat. Expect a day of hands-on engagement and shared creativity.
Day 8: Service with Bethany House & Local Partners
Our second service day takes us to Bethany House, a local organization supporting vulnerable women and children. We may also work with other nearby grassroots partners.
Depending on needs, our work may include:
- Leading youth or arts-based activities
- Organizing or supporting donation distribution
- Assisting with facility upkeep or food service
This day centers compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to community-driven change. In the evening, we’ll gather for informal discussion or journaling to reflect on our impact and observations.
Day 9: Full-Day Maracatu Immersion with Nação Porto Rico
Our final full day is a deep dive into maracatu culture with the world-renowned group Nação Porto Rico. Through percussion, singing, and dance workshops, we’ll engage with Afro-Brazilian traditions rooted in resistance and resilience.
You’ll learn:
- Baque virado rhythms on alfaias and caixas
- Maracatu chants and their cultural meanings
- Dance forms from the maracatu court and community processions
You won’t just learn maracatu—you’ll live it. This is a powerful embodiment of cultural resistance, pride, and ancestry.
Day 10: Farewell & Departure
We share our final breakfast together and say goodbye. Depending on flight times, you may explore a final museum, walk the beach, or grab a last coffee in Recife. Shared transport to the airport will be arranged for those departing at similar times.
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Goal 3: Good Health & Well-Being
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
- Conservation – Learn about marine and reef conservation, then take a jangada raft tour and view Porto de Galinhas’ famous tide pools.
- Culinary Arts –
- Visual & Theatre Arts –
- World History
- Economic Development
- Music & Dance – Volunteer with Bate Solto, a cultural and community group using rhythm, percussion, and public art to engage youth and promote equity in Recife’s underserved neighborhoods. Also, explore Recife’s African legacy through guided visits to Recife Antigo, Marco Zero, and the Museu do Homem do Nordeste. Be immersed in a city alive with colorful flags, forró dancing, bonfires, and maracatu street rehearsals.
