Should you visit Recife or Cuenca?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Recife and Cuenca can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
Which city is cheaper, Cuenca or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $123, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $34. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Recife and Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Recife is $130. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $20 for a double occupancy room in Cuenca.
Food
In Recife travelers spend around $52 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food in Cuenca costs travelers about $12 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Recife $52
Cuenca $12
Typical Food prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch
$10
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Snacks
$5.00
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Empanada
$1.50
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Hot Dog
$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
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Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca:
$55
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Cuenca City Tour & Cooking Class (PRIVATE Tour):
$95
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Recife is $6.26 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Cuenca is $8.60 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
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Arrival Private Transfer: Recife Airport REC to Porto de Galinhas by Minivan:
$166
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Arrival Private Transfer: Recife Airport REC to Porto de Galinhas by Sedan Car:
$55
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Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to João Pessoa:
$109
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Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Maceió:
$256
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Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Maragogi Hotels:
$100
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Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Praia da Pipa:
$192
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Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to São Miguel dos Milagres:
$160
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Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Boa Viagem Pina or Piedade:
$20
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Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Cabo de Santo Agostinho:
$30
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Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Olinda:
$40
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Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Porto de Galinhas - Muro Alto or Serrambi:
$40
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Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Praia dos Carneiros:
$80
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
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Cuenca Arrival Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca Departure Transfer:
$15
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Cuenca Airport Shuttle Transfer:
$19
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Cuenca to Guayaquil Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Cuenca to Alausi Transfer in Fantasy Bus:
$25
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Transfer In Cuenca Airport - Hotel:
$25
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Arrival Private Transfer: Cuenca Airport CUE to Cuenca City by Minivan:
$74
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Departure Private Transfer: Cuenca City to Cuenca Airport CUE by Minivan:
$74
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Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.:
$83
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Private Transfer from Cuenca City Center to Madrid City Center:
$147
Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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.
Entertainment
Recife's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $8.32 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Cuenca's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $13 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Recife
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Recife are as follows:
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Recife and Olinda City Tour:
$26
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City Tour Olinda And Recife Antigo:
$26
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Cultutal Tour in Recife with Ricardo Brennand Institute:
$26
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Recife Tour By Night:
$27
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Day Trip to Igarassu and Itamaracá Island Tour from Recife:
$29
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Recife & Olinda Tour in Spanish & Portuguese, English Option:
$29
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Recife Culture Tour Including Ricardo Brennand Institute:
$37
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Igarassu And Itamaraca Island Tour:
$38
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Recife Boat Tour:
$38
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Recife 1-Day Tour to Porto Galinhas:
$39
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Carneiros Beach Day Tour:
$40
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Maragogi Beach Tour from Recife:
$43
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Guided tour to Cuenca City:
$9.95
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Cuenca City Tour:
$20
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Cuenca City tour:
$25
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Half-Day Tour of Cuenca Including Panama Hat Factory:
$30
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Walking Cuenca City Tour with Pumapungo Complex Half Day:
$30
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Cuenca City Tour:
$30
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Biking and Walking City Tour Cuenca:
$30
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Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour of Cuenca, Ecuador:
$30
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Private Half-Day Cuenca City Tour:
$38
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Cajas National Park Half Day Tour:
$40
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Private Half-Day City Tour Including Turi Viewpoint:
$41
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Biking Cuenca City Tour:
$45
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cuenca may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Cuenca, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
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