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LODGING PORTUGUESE VERSION

 

"Finally, the Island of Itamaracá... "  

The island Itamaracá, at 40 km from Recife, is separate from the continent by the River Jaguaribe. It has calm beaches with coconut trees, natural swimming pools, reefs, sandbanks and calm waters. Besides the ecological reservations with native forests, it shelters the Manatee Preservation Center . The area is known for the practice of nautical sports  

How to arrive 

By car -  take BR-101 highway to hte North until the municipal district of Igarassu. Right  after, take the secondary track. The Island of Itamaracá is at 45 Km from Recife.  

"'Forte Orange' is very beautiful! "  

Beaches 

"Pontal da Ilha" (Island's Point) - In front of "Ilha do Celeiro" (Island of the Barn) and  "Barra of Catuama". The visitors' entrance is controlled by the residents' association. 

"Fortinho" (Small Fort) - also called "Enseada dos Golfinhos" (Bay of the Dolphins). It's a beach with a fishermen village, summer vacation houses and bars. 

"Sossego" (Calm) - On the low tide, sandbanks are formed at 30m from the beach.  

"It's possible to walk inside of it."  

"Pontal do Jaguaribe" (Jaguaribe's Point) - dangerous beach during the high tide, because of River Jaguaribe's Mouth. 

Jaguaribe - urban beach with a lot of "sargaço".  In August, the Sword Fishing Festival happens there. 

"Quatro Cantos" (Four Corners) - urban beach with reefs and 'sargaços'. Pilar - urban beach with reefs and sargaços. It is occasionally polluted. 

"Forno da Cal" - Wide trip of fine sand, where it is located the Manatee Preservation Center, one of the main tourist points of the Island.  

"Forte Orange" (Fort Orange) - it is an extension of the beach "Forno da Cal", with calm waters and hard sand.  

"The Manatee. "  

"Coroa do Avião" (Crown of the Airplane) - Extensive sandbank located between the Island of Itamaracá and Santa Cruz's Canal. It serves as base for researches on migratory birds. An option to go to the Crown is to take a raft at Forte Orange Beach. On the weekends, several boats come to the Crown, where it is possible to eat delicious fried fishes and raw oysters. When visiting the Crown of the Airplane, pay attention to the schedule of the tide, to enjoy it at the low tide.  

"Vila Velha" (Old Village) - small town with 17th century church very well preserved. From Vila Velha there is a stunning view: to the left, the Fort Orange keeps the island from incoming dangers from the sea; to the right, Santa Cruz's canal is seen, separating the island from the continent.   

"At the Crown of the Airplane there are a lot of huts."  

"Centro de Preservação do Peixe-Boi" (Manatee Preservation Center) - Open from tuesday to Sunday, from 10 to 16 o'clock, it is an excellent opportunity to see the manatee closely, this exotic sea mammal, native from the waters of the islands  

"Forte Orange" (Fort Orange) - Built by the Dutchmen in 1631 and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1654. It has a museum with archeological pieces, panels and craft store; "Estrada do Forte" Fort road; km 5.  

"I'm going to shoot that hut... "  

 

 
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Tips by GUSTAVO VIVACQUA  

1. The beaches to the south of the island are full of people, however the ones to the north are deserted.  

2. At carnival, the music is the same of Olinda, the "carnival dance". 

3. Visit the Forte Orange and enjoy the view from its top.  

4. Take a raft and go sailing to the Crown of the Airplane. 

5. Don't miss visiting the Manatee Preservation Center. It is very nice. 

6. Go for a motorboat trip by the mangroves. 

7. Dive in the natural swimming pools on the low tide. 

8. Taste the cashew raisins. It is a typical candy of the island.

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