Itamaracá is a quiet haven away from the hustle and bustle of Recife. It is perhaps for this reason that the locals claim it to be the site of the Garden of Eden.
Dubious though this may be, Itamaracá’s recent history is more certain.
Once an immensely prosperous sugar plantation, it was the first part of Brazil to be occupied by the Portuguese and, later, the Dutch, who built the imposing Forte Orange in 1631 to protect their new acquisition.
A daunting sight even now, the fortress is to this day considered among the highpoints of Dutch military architecture.
Choose Itamaraca for its peace and tranquility, its beautiful expansive white sand beaches and above all, to relax.