Foreigners need to be able to present their passport at any time to the police. Failure to do so may result in being taken to the Federal Police station and a fine.

Financial Information and Money Exchange

The Brazilian currency is the Real (plural: Reais, abbreviation: BRL). At the date of this writing, 1USD = 1,87BRL and 1EUR = 2,23BRL. Most shops, restaurants and hotels accept Visa or Mastercard. You can also change quite easily several foreign currencies (mainly US dollar, Euro, Yen, British pound) to Reais. Prices are cheaper than in Europe or than in North-America, especially in the services industry as the cost of labor is much lower. You can get very accurate exchange rates at this address.

Currency change agencies are available at the airport. We suggest that you make use of this service right there because there is only a limited number of money exchance agencies in Porto de Galinhas and they are not located near the conference hotel. You will need to bring your passport to do the transaction (but since you are supposed to carry your passport with you, this should not be a problem).

Electricity Adapters

Brazil is a bi-volt country (110V and 220V), and Porto de Galinhas and Recife are 220V area, and it is very easy to find here voltage converters. Frequency is 60Hz. The electric adapters usually accept both round pin and flat blade plugs. For extensive details on electric adapters in Brazil, please have a look here.

Language

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. If you speak Spanish or Italian, you may be able to communicate without too much difficulties with most people. Porto de Galinhas is a popular touristic destination and has been receiving travelers from different countries, more and more people are trained to work with foreign visitors and to communicate in English.

Weather

The climate in Porto de Galinhas is hot almost all year round, with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees Celcius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) and 32 degrees Celcius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). March is a good month to visit because it is slightly less hot than the height of summer (January and February) and there is almost no rain. It is important to stress, though, that the constant breeze from the ocean tricks people into forgetting that the sun is very strong. It is strongly recommended to avoid sun-bathing during the hours of the technical sessions!

Touristic Attractions

You may want to extend your stay for a few days and discover some of the following places and activities:

Engenho Gaipio (Gaipio Mill). The Engenho Gaipio is located at 17 km (10.56 mi.) from Ipojuca. In perfect state of conservation, the mill shows how the "Mill Lords" of the nineteenth century lived. In it visitors will see an imposing big house, and inside it we are welcomed by authentic furniture, dishes, and articles from the nineteenth century, as if traveling back in time to those days. The place became a permanent part of the history of the state of Pernambuco in 1848, the year it staged of one of episodes of the Praieira Revolt, a movement in Pernambuco that lasted from 1848 to 1852, linked to the unresolved conflicts remaining from the period of the Regency and local resistance to the consolidation of the Brazilian Empire that had been proclaimed in 1822. Further ahead, it is possible to get to the Gaipió River and to the Morro da Pedra Selada (Hill of the Saddled Rock), two other major attractions of the area.

Gamboa Beach. Located North to Porto de Galinhas, Gamboa is a beach of unique beauty. The area is almost wild, surrounded by coconut trees, and it has clear warm waters that form natural swimming pools, perfect for swimming and bathing.

Muro Alto (Tall Wall) Beach. The beautiful high bank of sand and coconut trees lent its name to the beach, whose access is only possibly by buggy. Reefs, natural swimming pools, and the breeze from the coast of the state of Pernambuco complete the beauty of that beach, where the resorts of Porto de Galinhas are located.

Cupe Beach. Cupe is a good option for leisure in Porto de Galinhas. Its strong waves are the meeting point of the local surfers, who frequently organize their competitions there. On that beach, formed by compacted sands, tourists find most of the hotels of the area.

Porto de Galinhas Beach. The beach of Porto de Galinhas is simply perfect for those who want to relax, and also for swimming, especially for children. Here, in the transparent waters of the natural swimming pools formed by the warm waters of the sea, often do we see many different species of colorful fish from the area.

Maracaipe Beach. It is the perfect place for those who like fun, having good waves that are just right for the organization of surfing championships. Also on that beach can visitor go for a food tour and savor the delicacies of the typical cuisine of the state of Pernambuco, in the charming area called Vila de Todos os Santos. Another local beauty is the Pontal de Maracaípe, where the waters of the river and the waters of the see meet, composing the perfect atmospheres for a raft, speed boat, or kayak ride, besides its many trails and the calm waters that are an invitation for swimming. Also, those who visit the Pontal can not fail to visit the Projeto Hippocampus to know more about the habitat of the sea horse.

Enseadinha (Little Bay) Beach Reefs and corals form the famous natural swimming pools of that beach, with calm waters and short weak waves, perfect for swimming.

Pontal de Serrambi (Serrambi's End) For those who want to see the wonders of the bottom of the sea, the waters of the Pontal do Serrambi are ideal, for not only are they crystal clear, but there are also many shipwrecks in the area, which are inhabited by many different marine species. At 100 meters (328.08 feet) from the beach, the great coral formation offers surfers huge waves.

Cacimbas Beach. On the beach of Cacimbas there is a formation of sandstone reefs, which has nearly 50 meters (164.04 feet) of width, and thus, during the high tide, there is the formation of a large natural swimming pool of warm waters in the place. Small caves sculpted by the waters of the sea and an extensive stretches covered with coconut trees complete the beauty of the place.

Toquinho Beach. Quite similar to the Muro Alto Beach because of the formation of the reef barrier, the Toquinho beach has yet another natural attraction: the encounter of the waters of the sea with the waters of the Sirinhaem River. Strong waves, compressed sands, and stretches covered with coconut trees compose the scenery. From Toquinho it is possible to get to Santo Aleixo Island, one of the most sought places in the area for the practice of diving.

Handicraft. In Porto de Galinhas there are many stores that sell craft pieces made in the area. The materials used to make them are typical from the Northeast of Brazil and portray the culture of the people from the state of Pernambuco.