Which place is cheaper, Havana or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Recife or Havana?
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 Havana 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 Havana?
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.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $166Havana $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $166, while the average daily cost in Havana is $65. 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 Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRecife $88Havana $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $176Havana $80
Compare Hotels in Recife and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Recife or Havana? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Recife $8.47Havana $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
- Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
- Instituto Ricardo Brennand with transfers from Recife: $41
- Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $101
- Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from Recife to Carneiros Beach: $114
- Private Transfer from Recife to Olinda: $46
- Private Transfer from Recife to Serrambi Beach: $101
- Private Transfer from Recife to Tamandare Beach: $114
- Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
- Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
- Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65
- Shared Transfer from Recife to Cabo de Santo Agostinho: $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana 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
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Food Meals for one dayRecife $70Havana $10
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $11Havana $11
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: $7.65
- Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
- City Tour Recife & Olinda: $27
- Colonial North Coast beaches - Full-Day Tour: $35
- Olinda City Tour and Instituto Ricardo Brennand: $94
- City Tour Recife with Catamaran included: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Havana $5.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Havana, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Recife is in South America and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Recife Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Recife or Havana?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Recife. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Havana, 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 Havana?
Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Recife or Havana in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Havana. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Recife is around the same temperature as Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Recife usually receives more rain than Havanain July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRecife 26°C (79°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Recife or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Havana. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
In April, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Havanain October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Havanain October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRecife 26°C (79°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Recife or Havana in the Winter?
Both Havana and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Recife is a little warmer than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Havanain January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRecife 24°C (76°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Recife or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Recife during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the spring, Recife is around the same temperature as Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F)in April.
Recife usually gets more rain in October than Havanain April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRecife 25°C (77°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Recife
| Recife | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 338 mm (13.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 25°C (78°F) | 319 mm (12.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 378 mm (14.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 388 mm (15.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.