Recife was founded in 1537 as the port for the sugar-growing Captaincy of Pernambuco, built across three river islands split by the Beberibe and Capibaribe — the offshore reefs give it its name. Dutch rule held it from 1630 to 1654, raising their capital Mauritsstad on neighbouring Antônio Vaz island and lacing the town with bridges and canals that earned it the nickname the Brazilian Venice. The Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue, founded here in 1636, was the first in the Americas; the original was torn down in the early 20th century and a museum has stood on its excavated site since 2001. Since 2000, Porto Digital has turned the old harbour district into a tech cluster of more than 300 companies.
Nights sit around 24°C and afternoons around 28°C.
Recife barely changes season: afternoons sit around 29°C and nights around 25°C most of the year.
There is a clear wet season from January – August, peaking in June with around 391 mm. The driest month is November, with about 39 mm.
Air quality is worth watching: September averages an AQI of 56, while April clears to 47.
Daylight is steady all year, around 12.0 hours a day.
For what you're after, the best months in Recife are September – January. Expect fast internet (277 Mbps) and a moderate cost of living (about €950 a month).
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