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

Should you visit Recife or Guayaquil?

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 Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil?

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.

Guayaquil

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.

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


Which place is cheaper, Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil is $95. 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 Guayaquil in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $91
    Guayaquil $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $182
    Guayaquil $64
Compare Hotels in Recife and Guayaquil

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Guayaquil? 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 Guayaquil


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 Guayaquil Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.75
    Guayaquil $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65
  • Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
  • Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $47
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $103
  • Private Departure Transfer from Olinda City to Recife Airport: $27
  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil

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

  • Transfers from Guayaquil Airport to the hotel: $10
  • Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $17
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
  • Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport: $18
  • Private Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotels: $20
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
  • Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
  • Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Guayaquil?

Prices for flights to both Guayaquil 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
    Guayaquil $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil

For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Gastronomic workshop tour, live cooking, Learn about the Ecuadorian culinary art: $131
  • Half Day Guayaquil Culinary Adventure, Cacao Cooking Class: $185

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $12
    Guayaquil $21

Tours and Activities in Recife

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

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

Tours and Activities in Guayaquil

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

  • 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
  • Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City: $35
  • Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City: $35
  • Guayaquil City Tour: $40
  • City Tour Guayaquil: $40
  • Self-guided walking tour of Guayaquil's landmarks.: $45
  • Private Experience of Flavors and Wine Pairing in Guayaquil: $50
  • From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
  • City Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $63
  • Guayaquil Museum Tour: $64
  • Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
  • Historical Park tour - Guayaquil: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Guayaquil $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil

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

  • Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $52
  • Taste and discover the factory of a craft brewery: $65


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

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Guayaquil?

Guayaquil has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Recife. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Guayaquil, 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 Guayaquil?

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

Should I visit Recife or Guayaquil in the Summer?

Both Guayaquil and Recife during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round.

In the summer, Recife is a little warmer than Guayaquil. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 23°C (73°F)in July.

Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Guayaquilin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Recife or Guayaquil in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Guayaquil. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Recife is generally a little warmer than Guayaquilin October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Guayaquil fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Guayaquilin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Guayaquil 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Recife or Guayaquil in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Recife as well as Guayaquil. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil throughout the year.

Recife is cooler than Guayaquil in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Guayaquil fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Guayaquil. Recife receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Guayaquilin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Recife or Guayaquil in the Spring?

Both Guayaquil and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Recife is cooler than Guayaquil. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Guayaquil averages at about 28°C (82°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. In October, Recife usually receives less rain than Guayaquilin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Guayaquil receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Guayaquil 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Guayaquil and Recife

Recife Guayaquil
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)