Recife is Portuguese for reef and is known as the Brazilian Venice because of its rivers, bridges, islands and mangroves. Situated in the Northeastern Region of Brazil it has a population of over 3.5 million and is the capital of Pernambuco and one of the cultural capitals of Brazil.



The sun shines all year round, averaging in the 80's F, or 27C; even during the winter the temperature doesn't drop much below this.

Recife is a major port city, and much of its energy and culture has its source in the constant ebb and flow of trade. The city has only recently become a tourist destination and is a wonderful city in which to wander about, letting chance provide memorable discoveries. Rich with folk art and craft, including music, dance, cuisine, painting and sculpture. Traditional handcrafted items can be found at festivals and markets around the city as well as at Recife's Cultural Centre, the Casa da Cultura de Recife. Recife has developed a large infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and other tourism related services. Many hotels are either by the sea or within walking distance and restaurants are of such a quantity and quality as to make Recife one of the gastronomical capitals of Brazil.
    
Things to see and do in Recife:

Beautiful beaches! Visit any of the many beaches. One of the best is Boa Viagem, which also offers most of the restaurants bars and nightclubs. Shop at the second largest shopping center in Brazil. Take beach buggy rides, boat rides, jet skies, scuba diving, snorkeling and 4x4 excursions. Take a walking tour of the old city. From the Praca da Republica to the impressive Teatro Santa Isabel (1850) and the Catedral de Sao Pedro dos Clerigos. Browse through the colourful Mercado do Sao Jose (Saint John's Market) for local arts and crafts and finish at the Basilica de NS da Penha(1882). Visit one of many museums. Visit Olinda. The entire city of Olinda is a living museum, a UNESCO heritage city, and considered to be the origin of the entire Brazilian culture of the 16th century and the reason many visitors travel to Recife. Visit the paradise island of Fernando de Noronha.(Live web cam). Visit the beach of Porto de Galinhas, rated by many travel magazines as the most beautiful in all of Brazil. Walk along Recife's waterfront, Avenida Beira Mar, and enjoy a cold coconut!

Further reading... Wikipedia, about.com, Search South America for Visitors.