A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Recife vs. Grand Cayman for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Recife or Grand Cayman?

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 Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman?

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.

Grand Cayman

When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Grand Cayman or Recife?

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 $209, while the average daily cost in Grand Cayman is $242. 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 Grand Cayman in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $84
    Grand Cayman $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $168
    Grand Cayman $298
Compare Hotels in Recife and Grand Cayman

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Grand Cayman? 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 Grand Cayman


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 Grand Cayman Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.13
    Grand Cayman $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $50
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $111
  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $103
  • Private Transfer from Airport to morritts: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Grand Cayman?

Prices for flights to both Grand Cayman 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 $117
    Grand Cayman $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Grand Cayman $41

Tours and Activities in Recife

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Recife are as follows:

  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.48

Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman

For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • CaymanVisitor Hide & Seek GeoTour Self-Drive Tour: $13
  • Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $25
  • 2 Stop Reef Snorkel and Glass Bottom Boat Adventure: $35
  • Grand Cayman Hop On Hop Off Island Adventure: $40
  • Stingray City and Snorkeling Tour Starfish Point Adventure: $53
  • Stingray City, Snorkeling, & StarFish Adventure: $55
  • Stingray City and Starfish Experience with Coral Reef Snorkeling: $55
  • Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
  • West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $65
  • 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
  • Stingray City Sandbar Experience: $65
  • StingrayCity ,Coral Garden & Starfish Tour. : $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Grand Cayman $13

Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:


  • Beer
    $4.95

Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:

  • Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
  • Cayman Art and Wine Tour: $150


When comparing the travel costs between Recife and Grand Cayman, we can see that Grand Cayman is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Recife is in South America and Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Grand Cayman?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Grand Cayman, 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 Grand Cayman?

Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand Cayman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Recife or Grand Cayman in the Summer?

Both Grand Cayman and Recife during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Recife this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round.

In the summer, Recife is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.

Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets less rain in January than Grand Caymanin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 179 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Recife or Grand Cayman in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Grand Cayman. Many travelers come to Recife for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Grand Caymanin October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Grand Cayman 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 Grand Caymanin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Grand Cayman 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Recife or Grand Cayman in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Recife as well as Grand Cayman. Many visitors come to Recife in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year.

Recife is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Grand Cayman fluctuates around 24°C (76°F)in January.

Recife receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Grand Caymanin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Recife or Grand Cayman in the Spring?

Both Grand Cayman and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Recife for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Recife is around the same temperature as Grand Cayman. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Grand Cayman averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

In October, Recife usually receives more rain than Grand Caymanin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Grand Cayman receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Recife is October to December.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Grand Cayman and Recife

Recife Grand Cayman
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)