R$13–22 rides from REC to Boa Viagem with 99 Aeroporto Recife
From T1 at Recife/Guararapes, 99 Aeroporto Recife works as a ride-hailing app similar to Uber, with many locals using it when Uber surges or runs short on cars. Typical fares on screenshots in r/recife for REC–Boa Viagem sit around R$13–22 with promotions, which can come in a few reais lower than Uber for the same 7–9 km run.
Expect 15–25 minutes to Boa Viagem in light traffic, using the main Avenida Mascarenhas de Moraes route out of the airport. Everything is app-based, so you request pickup on your phone once you’re outside T1 baggage claim, then meet the driver at the regular curbside pickup lanes in front of the terminal.
How to use 99 from Recife Airport (step-by-step)
- 1. Install and set up 99: Download the “99” app before landing at REC, add a card or set up cash payment, and enter a local contact number if you have a Brazilian SIM.
- 2. Connect to airport Wi‑Fi or data: After you exit the aircraft in T1, use the free airport Wi‑Fi or your own data to open the app; you need a live connection to request a car.
- 3. Set pickup at T1 curb: In the app, confirm “Aeroporto Internacional do Recife/Guararapes – T1” as pickup and type your exact door or reference point (for example, “saida desembarque T1”).
- 4. Compare prices with Uber: Before you tap “confirmar”, open Uber as well and compare the quoted fares; Reddit users say that “às vezes 99 fica bem mais barato pro mesmo trajeto.”
- 5. Confirm the car and plate: Match the 99 driver’s name, photo, and license plate in the app with the vehicle that arrives at the curb before you get in.
- 6. Guide the driver on side streets: If your hotel or apartment is on a small rua in Boa Viagem or Pina, be ready to give building numbers or nearby corners; some riders report drivers missing smaller turns.
- 7. Pay and check receipt: Pay via app or cash according to what you selected, then confirm the final charge in the 99 receipt screen for the REC–Boa Viagem trip.
What regulars do
Local regulars around Recife say they keep both Uber and 99 installed and usually open 99 first, booking there if the fare is lower by R$3–5 for airport runs. If no driver accepts in a couple of minutes or availability looks thin at off-peak hours like 00:00–04:00, they cancel and switch to Uber instead of waiting.
Watch out for
Late at night, especially after 23:00, riders on r/recife report more cancellations and longer wait times on 99 than on Uber, sometimes stretching to 10–15 minutes from T1. Reliability also drops in some outer neighborhoods, so factor in a backup option if you land on the last flights of the day.
One practical tip: screenshot or save your Boa Viagem address with cross-streets before leaving REC T1, then show it to the 99 driver; it fixes most of the “wrong side street” complaints in one move.