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Located northeast of Brazil, Fernando de Noronha is a paradisiacal island waiting to be discovered. Half of the island is a nature reserve, rich in breathtaking landscapes and stunning beaches that are considered among the most beautiful in Brazil. In fact, one of them has been crowned the most beautiful beach in Brazil for the fourth consecutive year.
The number of tourists allowed on the island is limited, with a daily entrance cap of up to 420 people. This ensures that visitors can enjoy the island's natural beauty without overcrowding, preserving its pristine environment.
Whether you're seeking relaxation on pristine beaches, diving into crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, or exploring the island's lush landscapes, Fernando de Noronha offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
Arrival
To reach the island, visitors fly from the city of Recife. There are three flights per day, typically operated by small aircraft. Upon arrival on the island, visitors are required to pay a stay fee based on the number of days they plan to stay. The fee is not fixed and increases each day spent on the island. During our five-day visit, we paid approximately 360 reais per person (317 USD). Payment can be made online before arrival, streamlining procedures at the airport.
Important to know
Half of the island's area is designated as a national nature reserve, requiring payment for entry. Payment can be made at several points on the island, where visitors receive a guest card allowing access to the beaches and sites within the reserve. While not all of the island's beaches are within the reserve, the most beautiful ones often are. Additionally, there are four sites that require advance registration for entry. Registration opens daily at 3:00 PM at the TAMAR center, and it's advisable to register on the first day as popular spots fill up relatively quickly.
Accommodation
The island offers a range of small hotels (pousadas) and hostels. Rooms in the better hotels tend to fill up quickly, so it's advisable to book in advance. We stayed at Pousada Maravilha, considered one of the best on the island.
We had pre-arranged that we were coming for our honeymoon and received complimentary upgrades to our room, dinner at the hotel's restaurant (which is also the best restaurant on the island), and a 60-minute massage. While the hotel is certainly more expensive than others, it definitely offers value for money. The service is unparalleled, and every request, no matter how small, is addressed within minutes. The breakfast at the hotel was the best we had in Brazil, incredibly varied and rich.
Getting Around the Island
There are several options for getting around the island. The main (and only) road on the island stretches about seven kilometers, and most of the traffic travels on it. Many of the beaches and sites are accessed via dirt roads branching off from the main road.
While there are taxis and buses on the island, they operate only on the main roads. As a result, most tourists opt to rent buggies or jeeps, which cost between 300 to 700 reais per day. During our visit, which coincided with a national holiday in Brazil, all buggies were booked, so we rented a car instead. The rental made getting around much easier and, in my opinion, was essential.
Restaurants
At the hotel, we received a list of recommended restaurants on the island, and for some, it's advisable to make reservations in advance. The tip is to go for the recommended ones, not necessarily through the hotel, but it's worth checking their ratings on Google. We happened to enter a place randomly and were very disappointed with the food quality.
The best restaurant on the island, Fernando, (and also the most expensive) is the one at Pousada Maravilha Hotel, a gourmet restaurant with incredibly delicious dishes. We had lunch and dinner there several times, and every dish was excellent.
Xica da Silva restaurant was also very tasty, albeit with a slightly less fancy atmosphere.
Varanda restaurant comes highly recommended. It's worth booking in advance.
General Tips
It's worth considering that prices on the island are high, even compared to the rest of Brazil.
There's no nightlife at all. There's only one bar, which is essentially a restaurant bar. Besides that, there are only restaurants with live performances in the evening.
There's no shopping scene - there are a few small shops, but the selection is limited, and the prices are not worthwhile.
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