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

Should you visit Recife or Basse-Terre?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Recife and Basse-Terre can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Recife or Basse-Terre?

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.

Basse-Terre

In Guadeloupe there is Basse Terre the city and Basse-Terre the island - the city is the capital of Guadeloupe, and the island is Guadeloupe's western half of the main island. As a whole, the place is very green, featuring lush vegetation and a mountainous landscape with a sulfuric volcano.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Basse-Terre or Recife?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $166, while the average daily cost in Basse-Terre is $164. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Recife and Basse-Terre in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $88
    Basse-Terre $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $176
    Basse-Terre $194
Compare Hotels in Recife and Basse-Terre

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Basse-Terre? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Recife


Hotels in Basse-Terre


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Recife Hotel Prices and Basse-Terre Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.47
    Basse-Terre $8.67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Shared Transfer from Recife to Cabo de Santo Agostinho: $33
  • Instituto Ricardo Brennand with transfers from Recife: $41
  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $46
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Olinda: $46
  • Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65
  • Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
  • Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Serrambi Beach: $101
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $101
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Carneiros Beach: $114
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Tamandare Beach: $114

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Basse-Terre?

Prices for flights to both Basse-Terre and Recife change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Recife $70
    Basse-Terre $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Basse-Terre $50

Tours and Activities in Recife

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Recife are as follows:

  • Recife (Historic Centre) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
  • City Tour Recife & Olinda: $27
  • Colonial North Coast beaches - Full-Day Tour: $35
  • Olinda City Tour and Instituto Ricardo Brennand: $94
  • City Tour Recife with Catamaran included: $150

Tours and Activities in Basse-Terre

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basse-Terre are as follows:

  • Full day tour: the best of the island w/photos drone sunset: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Basse-Terre $14


When comparing the travel costs between Recife and Basse-Terre, we can see that Recife is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Recife is in South America and Basse-Terre is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Basse-Terre?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Basse-Terre. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Basse-Terre, 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 Recife or Basse-Terre?

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

Should I visit Recife or Basse-Terre in the Summer?

Both Basse-Terre and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Basse-Terre because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Basse-Terrein July. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Basse-Terre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terre during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. It's quite rainy in Recife. In January, Recife usually receives less rain than Basse-Terrein July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Recife or Basse-Terre in the Autumn?

Both Basse-Terre and Recife during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Basse-Terre year-round.

Recife is around the same temperature as Basse-Terre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in October.

In Basse-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Recife often gets less sunshine than Basse-Terrein October. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 217 hours of full sun.

Basse-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Basse-Terrein October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Basse-Terre 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Recife or Basse-Terre in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Basse-Terre. Basse-Terre attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Recife is around the same temperature as Basse-Terre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Recife in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Basse-Terre averages at about 24°C (76°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basse-Terre this time of the year. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Basse-Terre during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Basse-Terre receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.

Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Basse-Terrein January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Basse-Terre 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Recife or Basse-Terre in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Recife as well as Basse-Terre. The warm climate attracts visitors to Basse-Terre throughout the year.

In October, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Basse-Terrein April. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 25°C (77°F), and Basse-Terre fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basse-Terre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the spring, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basse-Terrein April. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basse-Terre receives 240 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Basse-Terre. Recife usually gets less rain in October than Basse-Terrein April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Basse-Terre receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Basse-Terre 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Basse-Terre and Recife

Recife Basse-Terre
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)


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