A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mombasa vs. Recife for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mombasa or Recife?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Recife. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Mombasa or Recife?

Mombasa

Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.

Recife

One of the largest cities on Brazil's northeast coast, Recife is also the capital of the state of Pernambuco. The city gets its name from the Portuguese word for "reef," as it was built around a landscape of natural reef beaches. Many people visit to enjoy these beaches, experience the culture, and explore the history of this important Brazilian city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Recife, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Recife is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Recife would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Recife than you might in Mombasa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Recife Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Recife?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Recife, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Mombasa or Recife?

Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mombasa or Recife in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Recife. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Recife because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Mombasa is around the same temperature as Recife in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Recife fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Recifein January. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Recife receives 246 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Recife. Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Recifein January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Recife receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.

Should I visit Mombasa or Recife in the Autumn?

Both Recife and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Recife this time of year.

In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Recife. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Recife averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Recife during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Recife receives 185 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Recifein April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Recife receives 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mombasa or Recife in the Winter?

Both Recife and Mombasa during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Recife for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Mombasa is generally a little warmer than Recifein July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Recife fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Recifein July. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Recife receives 170 hours of full sun.

Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Recifein July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Recife receives 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.

Should I visit Mombasa or Recife in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Recife. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Recife in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Mombasa is around the same temperature as Recife in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Recife fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Recife during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Recife receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Recifein October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Recife receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to December in Recife is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Recife and Mombasa