In Recife the main events, like Carnival, are concentrated in Santo Antônio and Boa Vista. At night, activities centre around the grandstands on Avenida Dantas Barreto, where the blocos parade for the judges.

Avenida Dantas Barreto splits the island of Santo Antônio, home to the central business district and many surviving colonial churches. Just over the river is Boa Vista, linked to Santo Antônio by a series of small bridges; the brightly painted criss-cross girders of the Ponte de Boa Vista are a convenient central landmark.

At Av. Dantas Barreto, you can find:

Praça da Independência: Where most city buses originate and terminate on the central island of Santo Antônio, on Avenida Dantas Barreto, and either side of the Pracinha do Diário.

Shopping Center Guararapes: Av.Barreto de Menezes, 800, Jaboatão dos Guararapes. Phone: (81) 3464-2211 (www.shopping-guararapes.com.br).

Explore Recife

  ·Avenida Dantas Barreto
  ·Casa da Cultura
  ·Mercado de São José
  ·Museu da Cicade
  ·Museu de Arte Moderna and the Forte do Brum
  ·Museu do Estado
  ·Museu do Homem do Nordeste
  ·Museu do Trem
  ·Olaria de Brennand
  ·São Francisco
  ·São Pedro