A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Recife vs. Foz do Iguacu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Recife or Foz do Iguacu?

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 Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu?

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.

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Foz do Iguacu or Recife?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $171, while the average daily cost in Foz do Iguacu is $68. 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 Foz do Iguacu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $91
    Foz do Iguacu $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $182
    Foz do Iguacu $60
Compare Hotels in Recife and Foz do Iguacu

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Foz do Iguacu? 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 Foz do Iguacu


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 Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.75
    Foz do Iguacu $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $103
  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $47
  • Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
  • Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
  • Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:

  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Shared Transfer: $6.00
  • IGU Airport Transfers: $17
  • Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $20
  • Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $21
  • Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
  • Foz do Iguaçu Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $42
  • Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $51
  • Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $133
  • Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $140
  • Private Transfer to Foz do Iguaçu from the Airport: $164
  • Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Foz do Iguacu?

Prices for flights to both Foz do Iguacu 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 $73
    Foz do Iguacu $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.

  • Official Entrance: Dinner with Latin American Show at Rafain Steakhouse: $53
  • Rafain dinner Samba Show: $94
  • Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
  • Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
  • Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $113
  • Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135
  • Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $12
    Foz do Iguacu $25

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: $7.91
  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.10
  • City Tour Recife & Olinda: $27
  • Colonial North Coast beaches - Full-Day Tour: $36
  • City Tour Recife with Catamaran included: $150

Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu

Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Humming Bird Garden Experience in Iguazu: $5.00
  • Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $14
  • Iguazú Casino Tour : $17
  • Exclusive Bike Experience at Iguazu Falls: $25
  • Bird Park Tour: $26
  • Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $34
  • Foz Do Iguaçu City Tour: $34
  • Iguazu Falls National Park Tour - full day tour Argentinean side: $34
  • Tour Tour, pick up at Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU): $40
  • Itaipu Dam Half-Day Sightseeing Panoramic Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $42
  • Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam - Tickets Included: $43
  • City Tour with Buddhist Temple and Muslim Mosque: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Foz do Iguacu $12

Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.91


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

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Foz do Iguacu?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Foz do Iguacu. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Foz do Iguacu, 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 Foz do Iguacu?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Recife or Foz do Iguacu in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Foz do Iguacu.

Recife is around the same temperature as Foz do Iguacu in the summer. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Foz do Iguacu fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Recife usually receives around the same amount of rain as Foz do Iguacu. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Foz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Recife or Foz do Iguacu in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Foz do Iguacu.

In the autumn, Recife is a little warmer than Foz do Iguacu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Foz do Iguacu averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Foz do Iguacu. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Foz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Recife or Foz do Iguacu in the Winter?

Both Foz do Iguacu and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In July, Recife is generally a little warmer than Foz do Iguacu. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 24°C (76°F), and Foz do Iguacu fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Foz do Iguacu. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Foz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Recife or Foz do Iguacu in the Spring?

Both Foz do Iguacu and Recife during the spring are popular places to visit.

Recife is around the same temperature as Foz do Iguacu in the spring. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Foz do Iguacu fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Recife usually gets less rain in October than Foz do Iguacu. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Foz do Iguacu receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Foz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Foz do Iguacu and Recife

Recife Foz do Iguacu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)