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

Should you visit Recife or Guatemala City?

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 Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City?

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.

Guatemala City

Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City 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 $221, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $89
    Guatemala City $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $178
    Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Recife and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Guatemala City? 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 Guatemala City


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 Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.60
    Guatemala City $6.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $50
  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport: $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Private Transfer La Aurora Airport GUA to Guatemala City Hotel: $19
  • One way Shared Transfer to Antigua: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer:Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport(GUA): $24
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $26
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $30
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $32
  • La Aurora Airport (GUA): One-Way Private Transfer to Antigua: $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer: La Aurora International Airport to Antigua Hotel: $35
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City ⇄ Antigua – One-Way: $40
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER From Airport/Guate City to ANTIGUA or Vice-versa: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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 $123
    Guatemala City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.

  • Guatemala: Wine and Pizza Tasting Experience: $35
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $80
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $195
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza with Great Volcano Views: $205
  • Puerto Quetzal: Private Tour Pacaya Volcano 4x4 and Pizza: $550

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • Historic Center Walking Tour; Art and History: $27
  • Volcano-Grown Coffee Tasting Experience: $28
  • Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $32
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
  • Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City: $35
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • Walking Tour of Guatemala City's Historical Center: $35
  • Guatemala city walking tour only weekends. 2 persons and up: $39
  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $40
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
  • Heart of Guided with a local Tour Guide: $50
  • Heart of Guatemala City Tour with Local Guide: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Guatemala City $6.96


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Guatemala City, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Recife is in South America and Guatemala City is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Guatemala City?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Guatemala City, 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.