Which city is cheaper, Cartagena or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Recife vs. Cartagena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Recife or Cartagena?
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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $173Cartagena $40
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $173, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is $40. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Recife and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRecife $91Cartagena $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $182Cartagena $46
Compare Hotels in Recife and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Recife or Cartagena? 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.
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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Recife $8.81Cartagena $6.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Recife Airport REC to Porto de Galinhas by Minivan: $166
- Arrival Private Transfer: Recife Airport REC to Porto de Galinhas by Sedan Car: $55
- Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to João Pessoa: $109
- Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Maceió: $256
- Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Maragogi Hotels: $100
- Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Praia da Pipa: $192
- Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to São Miguel dos Milagres: $160
- Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Boa Viagem Pina or Piedade: $20
- Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Cabo de Santo Agostinho: $30
- Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Olinda: $40
- Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Porto de Galinhas - Muro Alto or Serrambi: $40
- Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Praia dos Carneiros: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfers in air conditioning buses: $7.00
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $8.00
- Private Transfer From Cartagena Airport to Hotel in the City: $8.00
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Cartagena City to Airport: $12
- Cartagena Arrival or Departure Transfer: Airport / Cruise Ship Terminal: $13
- PRIVATE Transfer from the cruise terminal.: $13
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $14
- Hotel to Airport Transportation in Cartagena (transfer service): $14
- PRIVATE Transfer from the hotel to the Rafael Nuñez AIRPORT: $16
- Private Airport Transfer: Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG) to Cartagena: $16
- Private Airport Transfer: Cartagena to Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG): $16
- Private Transfer from Cartagena City to Rafael Núñez (CTG) Airport: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 dayRecife $73Cartagena $8.33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Cartagena Cuisine Cooking Experience: $30
- BIKE & BITE food tour: $52
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Street food tour with Julie: $64
- Food Tour in Cartagena Walled City: $66
- Street Food & Local Food Tour: $66
- SkyKitchen 4 Course Cooking Class: $81
- Bazurto Market Tour and Cooking Class in Cartagena: $92
- Cartagena - Food Tour: $100
- Caribbean Cuisine Cooking Class: $105
- Shared Local Cooking Class and Lunch in Cartagena: $110
- Bazurto Local Market Tour & Cooking Class: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $12Cartagena $18
Tours and Activities in Recife
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Recife are as follows:
- From Recife Old Town and Olinda City Tour: $17
- Recife and Olinda City Tour: $26
- City Tour Olinda And Recife Antigo: $26
- Cultutal Tour in Recife with Ricardo Brennand Institute: $26
- Recife Tour By Night: $27
- Day Trip to Igarassu and Itamaracá Island Tour from Recife: $29
- Recife Culture Tour Including Ricardo Brennand Institute: $37
- Igarassu And Itamaraca Island Tour: $38
- Recife Boat Tour: $38
- Carneiros Beach Day Tour: $40
- Maragogi Beach Tour from Recife: $43
- Tour of 4 Beaches in Cabo de Santo Agostinho from Recife: $51
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena de Indias: India Catalina to Plaza Santo Domingo Audio Tour - VoiceMap: $5.34
- Cartagena de Indias: Into the Walls of The City Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.34
- Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. Cartagena Sensorial Tour: $6.99
- Monasterio de la Popa, tickets de entrada: $7.00
- Cartagena City Tour By Bicycle: $8.00
- City Tour Cartagena With Bazurto Market: $8.00
- Audio Guide - Walking Tour with Interactive (Cartagena de Indias): $10
- Free walking tour Gethsemane old town & Forever colonial: $10
- Cartagena Ryhtm & Sunset - Musical experience: $12
- Virtual Cartagena LiteraTour through Nobel Garcia Marquez work: $15
- City Sightseeing Cartagena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Shore Excursion: $18
- Chiva Party Bus Tour in Cartagena: $18
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Cartagena $7.81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Cartagena, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
When is the best time to visit Recife or Cartagena?
Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a tropical climate with fairly warm weather most of the year.
Should I visit Recife or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Cartagena. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Recife is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The temperature in Recife is usually 26°C (79°F) in January, and Cartagena stays around 29°C (84°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Recife usually receives more rain than Cartagenain July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRecife 26°C (79°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Recife or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Cartagena. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Recife is around the same temperature as Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April are around 26°C (79°F), and Cartagena is about 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagenain October. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Cartagenain October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRecife 26°C (79°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Recife or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
In July, Recife is generally cooler than Cartagenain January. Temperatures in Recife average around 24°C (76°F), and Cartagena stays around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Cartagenain January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRecife 24°C (76°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Recife or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Recife during the spring are popular places to visit. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Recife is cooler than Cartagena in the spring. The temperature in Recife is usually 25°C (77°F) in October, and Cartagena stays around 28°C (82°F)in April.
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Recife. In the spring, Recife often gets more sunshine than Cartagenain April. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Recife usually gets more rain in October than Cartagenain April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRecife 25°C (77°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Recife
| Recife | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 338 mm (13.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 25°C (78°F) | 319 mm (12.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 378 mm (14.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 388 mm (15.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Related Articles for Recife
Related Articles for Cartagena
Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.More City Comparisons
Recife vs. FortalezaRecife vs. Puerto Iguazu
Recife vs. Mar del Plata
Recife vs. La Plata
Recife vs. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Recife vs. Asuncion
Recife vs. Salto
Recife vs. Punta del Este
Recife vs. Piriapolis
Recife vs. Montevideo
Recife vs. Colonia del Sacramento
Recife vs. Sao Paulo
Recife vs. Salvador
Recife vs. Rio de Janeiro
Recife vs. Ilha Grande
Recife vs. Foz do Iguacu
Recife vs. Florianopolis
Recife vs. Curitiba
Recife vs. Brasilia
Recife vs. Buzios
Recife vs. Quito
Recife vs. Montanita
Recife vs. Guayaquil
Recife vs. Galapagos Islands
Recife vs. Cuenca
Recife vs. Banos
Recife vs. Manaus
Recife vs. Tena
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.