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

Should you visit Recife or Colonia del Sacramento?

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 Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento?

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.

Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Colonia del Sacramento, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento.

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

Which is Bigger, Recife or Colonia del Sacramento?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Colonia del Sacramento, 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 Colonia del Sacramento?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Recife or Colonia del Sacramento in the Summer?

Both Colonia del Sacramento and Recife during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Recife in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Colonia del Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Colonia del Sacramento fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Recife. In the summer, Recife often gets less sunshine than Colonia del Sacramento. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 285 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in January than Colonia del Sacramento. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.

Should I visit Recife or Colonia del Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Colonia del Sacramento. Most visitors come to Recife for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Recife is a little warmer than Colonia del Sacramento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Colonia del Sacramento fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Colonia del Sacramento during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Colonia del Sacramento receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Colonia del Sacramento. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Recife or Colonia del Sacramento in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Recife as well as Colonia del Sacramento. The winter months attract visitors to Recife because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Recife is much warmer than Colonia del Sacramento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Recife in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Colonia del Sacramento averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Recife often gets more sunshine than Colonia del Sacramento. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 143 hours of full sun.

Recife receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Colonia del Sacramento. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.

Should I visit Recife or Colonia del Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Colonia del Sacramento and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Recife this time of year.

In October, Recife is generally a little warmer than Colonia del Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 25°C (77°F), and Colonia del Sacramento fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Colonia del Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Colonia del Sacramento during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Colonia del Sacramento. In October, Recife usually receives less rain than Colonia del Sacramento. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Colonia del Sacramento receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Recife is October to December.

Typical Weather for Colonia del Sacramento and Recife