Which place is cheaper, Brasilia or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Recife and Brasilia 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.
Recife is a authentic, cultural, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Recife travel costs.
Brasilia is a lively, vibrant, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Brasilia travel costs.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Recife than Brasilia. While Brasilia is larger than Recife, Recife has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Recife is more touristy than Brasilia and is known for its football and music scenes. It is also home to Praia de Boa Viagem. Brasilia is popular for its modernist architecture, abundant green space, and planned layout.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brasilia and Recife. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Recife is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Brasilia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
Many visitors head to Recife specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is large and cultural, so there are a number of museums that you can explore. Some of the favorites include the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, the State of Pernambuco Museum, and the Recife City Museum.
Brasilia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a variety of museums that highlight the city's rich history, modernist architecture, and diverse culture. Notable museums include the Museu Nacional, showcasing contemporary art, and the Museu de Arte de Brasília (MAB), which focuses on Brazilian art. The Memorial dos Povos Indígenas offers insight into indigenous cultures, while the Museu do Catetinho takes visitors through the early days of the city’s creation.
Recife is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Brasilia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
Dining out in Recife is an experience not to be missed. You'll find plenty of local restaurants around town. Grilled meat is a staple in many of the dishes and you should definitely visit a churrascaria, which is a restaurant that specializes in cooking meat in the churrasco style. Food carts are great for picking up a coxinha (a pastry), and other local dishes include camarão na moranga (pumpkin stuffed with shrimp) and picanha (sirloin cap).
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Brasilia. The city's food scene is diverse, offering a mix of traditional Brazilian dishes and international cuisine. Since it is home to people from all over Brazil, you can find food from many different regions in one place. Popular dishes include Picanha (Brazilian steak), Feijoada (black bean and pork stew), and Tucunaré na Brasa (grilled fish).
Recife is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Brasilia is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.
Recife is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Many visitors come for Carnival, and this is the obvious time to visit if you're looking for the best parties. Even during the other times of the year, you'll find many happy hours, dance clubs, and live music to enjoy.
If you're looking for night time activities Brasilia has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is more sophisticated and calm compared to other Brazilian capitals. It's not a party city by traditional standards, but it's ideal for those looking to enjoy good food, drinks, and live music in a more relaxed atmosphere. If you're looking for high-energy nightlife, the city might feel quieter, but it's still plenty of fun.
Recife is well known for the beach. However, Brasilia is not a beach destination.
Recife is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The city's beaches are clean and enjoyable to visit and one of the most famous is Praia de Boa Viagem. Some beaches are lined with hotels and nightclubs while others are a bit more removed. If you decide to swim, do take note that shark attacks in the area are a real concern.
Brasilia is not a beach destination.
Both Recife and Brasilia are superb shopping destinations.
Recife is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops, art galleries, and larger shopping centers. Whether you're looking for clothing or a cultural souvenir, there are many places to browse.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brasilia. There is a mix of modern malls, local markets, and high-end boutiques. The city is home to several large shopping centers, such as Shopping Iguatemi, ParkShopping, and Conjunto Nacional, which feature a variety of international brands, local shops, and food courts. For more traditional items, the Feira da Torre is a popular open-air market where you can find local crafts, souvenirs, and handmade goods.
Brasilia is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Recife is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.
Brasilia is a family-friendly place to visit. While it doesn't have as many theme parks as some of the other large cities in Brazil, there are a number of activities that families can enjoy. There's the Parque da Cidade, where children can ride bikes and play on playgrounds. There's also Nicolândia, a small amusement park with exciting rides. At the Brasília Zoo, kids can see native animals like jaguars, toucans, and capybaras while learning about Brazil's wildlife. The Planetarium of Brasília is a great spot for young space enthusiasts, featuring interactive exhibits and fascinating star shows.
Recife is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a couple of museums that are good for kids, like Museu do Mamulengo. There are also beaches that are relatively clean for swimming, but make sure you go where the locals go and be very aware of the water conditions.
Both Recife and Brasilia are good destinations for a couple's getaway.
Recife makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beaches and restaurants that make for a nice date day. You can explore the city, visit some museums, and soak up the local culture.
Brasilia is a good city for couples to visit. There are sunset boat rides on Paranoá Lake. If you enjoy culture, you can visit the National Museum or admire the stunning architecture of the Cathedral of Brasília. A romantic dinner at a lakeside restaurant in Pontão do Lago Sul is perfect for a night out with delicious food and a relaxing atmosphere. For nature lovers, a peaceful walk or picnic at Jardim Botânico de Brasília provides a lovely escape from the city.
Recife is very good for backpackers. However, Brasilia is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.
Recife is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few hostels around town, but they do fill up quickly. The city is often overlooked by tourists but if you're looking for an authentic experience, then this is your place.
Brasilia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's fascinating architecture and great green spaces, but the city has limited nightlife and it isn't the most popular destination for backpackers. There are some budget-friendly hostels and public buses that make it possible to explore without spending too much. Though it lacks a strong backpacker scene, Brasília's mix of culture, green spaces, and history makes it an interesting stop for adventurous travelers.
Both Recife and Brasilia offer good public transit options.
Recife has a few public transit options. The city has a metro system as well as city buses.
Brasilia has some public transit options. The public transit system is relatively limited compared to larger Brazilian cities, but it still offers a few options for getting around. The Metro is an efficient choice for traveling through central areas, with two main lines that connect key neighborhoods like Asa Norte and Plano Piloto. There are also buses that are more comprehensive.
Recife and Brasilia both are decent when exploring on foot.
Recife is generally not very walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others. It's also best not to walk alone at night.
Brasilia is generally not a very walkable city. The city isn't particularly walkable because it is very spread out.
For even more information, also check out Is Recife Worth Visiting? and Is Brasilia Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Recife and Brasilia. In our opinion, Recife has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Recife than Brasilia. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Brasilia than Recife. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Brasilia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Recife than Brasilia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Recife that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Recife than Brasilia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Recife.
The city of Recife offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Brasilia. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
Recife is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Recife, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Brasilia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Recife is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brasilia. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Recife is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Brasilia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $190, while the average daily cost in Brasilia is $93. 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 Brasilia in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Recife or Brasilia? 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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
Prices for flights to both Brasilia 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.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Recife are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Brasilia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Brasilia, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Brasilia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Brasilia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brasilia 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 Brasilia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Recife Expensive? and Is Brasilia Expensive?.
Brasilia has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Recife. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Brasilia, 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.