Praia dos Carneiros: the chapel beach and how to get there from Recife
Most people visit Praia dos Carneiros on a day trip from Recife: the basic tour with pickup costs €29 (4.2/5 from 36 reviews), the version with a catamaran ride €55 (3.9/5), and if you are staying nearby, the trip from Tamandaré is €30 (5.0/5). The catalogue lists 5 Carneiros activities, from €29 with a median price of €41.
Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.
Carneiros is the beach with the little white chapel of São Benedito standing on the sand among coconut palms. It lies in Tamandaré, on Pernambuco’s south coast, about 100 km from Recife, where the Formoso River meets the sea and low tide reveals sandbanks, mangroves and natural pools. Every figure below comes from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in Recife and Porto de Galinhas.
The best Praia dos Carneiros tours
The first five are every Carneiros activity in the catalogue; the last three are nearby alternatives.
- Carneiros Beach from Recife — €29, 4.2/5 from 36 reviews, 8 hours with pickup. The most booked and cheapest option from the city.
- Carneiros and catamaran from Recife — €55, 3.9/5 from 10 reviews, 6 hours with pickup. Adds a boat ride on the Formoso estuary and its sandbanks.
- Carneiros from Tamandaré with Bora Bora — €30, 5.0/5 from 2 reviews, full day with pickup. For travellers based on the south coast.
- Catamaran tour at Praia dos Carneiros — €45, 2 hours, no pickup and no reviews yet. Best if you drive there yourself.
- Carneiros day trip from Recife (other operator) — €41, 2.1/5 from 6 reviews, 8 hours. Low rating; book only if the others are full.
- Alternative: Porto de Galinhas day trip — €31, 4.4/5 from 27 reviews, 8 hours with pickup.
- Alternative: Santo Aleixo Island from Porto de Galinhas — €30, 7 hours with pickup, no reviews yet.
- Alternative: Recife and Olinda tour — €27, 4.3/5 from 71 reviews, the most reviewed activity in the region.
In short: for a simple beach day, the €29 trip is the best value; for the full experience on the water, choose the €55 catamaran version; and if you are happy to drive, the catamaran at the beach itself costs €45. Only 2 of the 5 Carneiros trips list a Spanish-speaking guide, and 4 of the 5 include hotel pickup, so most travellers never need a car.
Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup
| Activity | From | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Spanish guide | Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carneiros from Recife | €29 | 4.2/5 | 36 | 8 h | Yes | Yes |
| Carneiros and catamaran from Recife | €55 | 3.9/5 | 10 | 6 h | Yes | Yes |
| Carneiros from Recife (other operator) | €41 | 2.1/5 | 6 | 8 h | No | Yes |
| Carneiros from Tamandaré (Bora Bora) | €30 | 5/5 | 2 | 1 d | No | Yes |
| Catamaran at Carneiros | €45 | — | — | 2 h | No | No |
| Porto de Galinhas from Recife | €31 | 4.4/5 | 27 | 8 h | Yes | Yes |
| Santo Aleixo Island | €30 | — | — | 7 h | No | Yes |
Recife & Porto de Galinhas8 h
Desde Recife: playa de Carneiros
SpanishPickup
4.2 (36) from€29
Recife & Porto de Galinhas8 h
Recife: tour de 1 día a la playa de Carneiros
Pickup
2.1 (6) from€41
Recife & Porto de Galinhas6 h
Desde Recife: excursión de 1 día a la playa de Carneiros y en catamarán
SpanishPickup
3.9 (10) from€55
New
Recife & Porto de Galinhas2 h
Tour en catamarán en la Praia dos Carneiros
from€45
Recife & Porto de Galinhas1 d
Desde Tamandaré: excursión de 1 día a la playa de Carneiros con Bora Bora
Pickup
5.0 (2) from€30
Which option suits you
Staying in Recife or Boa Viagem
Book the €29 tour with pickup: the best mix of rating and review count. Expect around four hours on the road in total.
Want the catamaran
The catamaran trip from Recife costs €55. With a rental car you can drive down and book just the catamaran at the beach for €45.
Staying in Porto de Galinhas or Tamandaré
Use the Tamandaré departure (€30). From Porto de Galinhas the drive is under an hour, so pair Carneiros with the Porto de Galinhas natural pools.
3-day itinerary: Recife, Carneiros and Porto de Galinhas
Day 1: the Recife and Olinda tour (€27, 8 hours). Activities: €27.
Day 2: Carneiros with catamaran (€55), or the basic trip for €29. Activities: €55 (or €29).
Day 3: a Porto de Galinhas day trip (€31); the jangada rafts to the pools are paid locally. Activities: €31.
Total: €113 per person over three days, or €87 with the basic Carneiros trip. With an extra day, continue south to the Maragogi natural pools.
How much does a Carneiros trip cost?
- Day trip from Recife: €29–41 with pickup.
- Day trip from Recife with catamaran: €55.
- Trip from Tamandaré: €30.
- Catamaran at the beach, no transport: €45 for 2 hours.
- Extras: food, drinks and sunbeds at the beach restaurants; some access points charge for parking or restaurant entry.
The median Carneiros tour costs €41, close to the Recife-wide median of about €41.5. It is a little pricier than Porto de Galinhas because of the distance, but still good value for a full day out.
Plan your visit
Getting there: Carneiros is about 100 km south of Recife, roughly two hours by road via the Porto de Galinhas area. Without a car, a tour with pickup is easiest. Getting around: walk along the sand; the São Benedito chapel sits at the southern end near the river mouth, and boats take you to the sandbanks.
When to go: September to March is drier with clearer water; April to July is the rainiest period. Where to stay: Boa Viagem in Recife for city plus day trips, Porto de Galinhas for a beach-town feel, or the inns of Tamandaré and Carneiros to have the beach to yourself early in the morning.
Practical tips
- Sandbanks and pools appear at low tide, and operators set departure times by the tide table.
- The chapel is a favourite spot for photos and weddings; arrive early and be respectful of ceremonies.
- Only 2 of the 5 Carneiros tours list a Spanish-speaking guide; English options are shown on each activity page.
- Shade is limited outside the palm groves and restaurants, so bring sunscreen, a hat and cash.
- Catamaran rides can be cancelled in rough seas; most bookings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
FAQ
Where is Praia dos Carneiros?
In Tamandaré, on Pernambuco’s south coast, about 100 km from Recife and under an hour from Porto de Galinhas.
How do I get from Recife to Carneiros?
Take a day trip with pickup from €29, or rent a car and drive about two hours each way.
What is the top-rated Carneiros tour?
The €29 trip from Recife, rated 4.2/5 from 36 reviews. The Tamandaré departure scores 5.0/5 but from only 2 reviews.
How long should I spend at Carneiros?
A full day. Tours from Recife last 6 to 8 hours, about four of them on the road.
Is the catamaran worth it?
Yes, if you want to reach the sandbanks and see the estuary: €55 from Recife with transport, or €45 for 2 hours at the beach.
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.
Related searches
- Praia dos Carneiros tour
- Carneiros catamaran
- Tamandaré
- Porto de Galinhas day trip
- Porto de Galinhas natural pools
- Santo Aleixo Island
- Recife and Olinda tour
- Maragogi natural pools
- things to do in Recife
- things to do in Brazil
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