Useful Information for Fernando de Noronha, Brazil | Travel Recommendations by On the Road Travel

Before you arrive on the island go to www.noronha.pe.gov.br and print the form that allows you to pre-pay the environmental tax (unfortunately it is in Portuguese). This will allow you to speed up your "immigration" process, leave the airport (which is not air conditioned yet), and hit the beach a little sooner.

Visitors must pay an escalating tax for each day that they spend on the island. The tax for a one day stay is R$32.12 but by the fifth day it is R$157.42 for the day. The tax must be paid upfront but if you end up staying an extra day or two you can/will pay the difference on the way out. Although it is possible to pay the tax online it is rather cumbersome because you have to print a bar code and then take the bar code to a Brazilian bank in order to make your payment. You are better off having the cash on hand when you arrive.

Flights to the island are pricey. TRIP airlines offer return flights from Recife for R$955 and from Natal for R$864.

Most Pousadas do not include airport pick-up in the room rate. Air conditioned vans are available for R$15/person. Buggy-taxis will also be available outside the airport (prices vary from R$8 - R$14).

There are no banks on the island so be sure to bring enough Reais to last throughout your trip. If you’re in a pinch, local vendors will exchange your US dollars, but you can be sure that the rate will not be favorable. Some, but not all, restaurants and shops accept credit cards. There is an ATM at the airport as well as at the Tamar Center, but if they are out of order (which has been known to happen), there are no other options.

Internet access can be found at Restaurante Edilma (Remedios Village), Maritimus (Floresta Nova) and Cia da Lua (Flamboyant Park).

Make sure to take bug repellent and sunscreen. Although both are available on the island you will be sure to pay a premium. The island has one drugstore located at Vila do Trinta and a convenience store Vila dos Remedios. Both of those stores will sell repellent, suntan lotion, aspirin, and other necessities if needed.

Fernando de Noronha is an eco-friendly island and you will notice that the locals are laid-back and the lifestyle is harmonized with nature. As such you are likely to find visitors in your hotel rooms (lizards, frogs, ants, mice). Do not take this as a sign of uncleanliness… it is simply a way of life.

Binoculars are a worthwhile addition to your luggage if you are a bird-watcher or plan to see the Spinner Dolphins in action

The island does not observe daylight savings so your watch should be set one hour ahead. When the mainland is on daylight savings, the island and Sao Paulo will be on the same time zone.