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Island and municipality in Pernambuco, Northeast, Brazil
Photo: LeRoc, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Itamaracá is a laid-back city-island just off the coast of Pernambuco, Brazil. Its beaches have been a major weekend and holiday destination for decades, especially for inhabitants of the nearby cities Recife and Olinda, which are both just about 30 km away.
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Fort of Santa Cruz de Itamaracá
This fortress was established by the Dutch in 1631 as part of the Dutch colonial efforts in eastern Brazil, during a wider fortification campaign. After the Dutch capitulation in Recife in 1654, Fort Orange was taken over and used by the Portuguese. The fort was neglected in later centuries, but was restored as the island developed into a tourist destination. Today, the fortress receives some 70,000 visitors a year, making it a prime attraction in the region.
16 furnished holiday homes on the beach, run by European resident managers.
The island is separated from the mainland by a 500-m wide strip of water. A bridge ensures easy access, and the PE-035, which runs over it, is a main way in.
Read in the guideMany of the taxis on the island are not registered ones, so make sure to negotiate the price before you set out to go anywhere.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Recife · International · REC
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