A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Recife vs. Jaco for Nightlife, Food, Beaches, and Backpackers

Should you visit Recife or Jaco?

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 Jaco 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.

Recife

Recife is a authentic, cultural, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Recife travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a popular, touristy, and laid back town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Jaco travel costs.

Recife and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Recife or Jaco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Recife. Although Recife and Jaco are both popular with visitors, Recife has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Recife is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Jaco is known for its nightlife and scuba diving & snorkeling. Jaco is more touristy than Recife and is popular for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. Recife is popular for its football and music scenes. It is also home to Praia de Boa Viagem.

How is Recife different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jaco and Recife. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Recife or Jaco?

Recife is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Recife can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is large and cultural, so there are a number of museums that you can explore. Some of the favorites include the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, the State of Pernambuco Museum, and the Recife City Museum.

Jaco offers a few options for museum-goers. Most people spend their time outside or partying while they're in town.

Is the Food Better in Recife or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Recife is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Recife has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find plenty of local restaurants around town. Grilled meat is a staple in many of the dishes and you should definitely visit a churrascaria, which is a restaurant that specializes in cooking meat in the churrasco style. Food carts are great for picking up a coxinha (a pastry), and other local dishes include camarão na moranga (pumpkin stuffed with shrimp) and picanha (sirloin cap).

Jaco offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There's a range of restaurants around town that include hamburger joints, pizza shops, and other casual favorites. You'll find a variety of options along the main strip as well.

Is Recife or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Jaco is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. What was once a quiet surfing town is now one of the most famous party destinations in Costa Rica. There are a constantly growing number of bars and clubs around town and you'll find tons of young tourists and backpackers looking for a party.

Recife has a large number of nightlife venues. Many visitors come for Carnival, and this is the obvious time to visit if you're looking for the best parties. Even during the other times of the year, you'll find many happy hours, dance clubs, and live music to enjoy.

Is Recife or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Jaco is a town with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Recife is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Jaco. You can't really snorkel at Jaco Beach because of the waves and water conditions, but there are a number of snorkeling tours that leave from town and take you to better spots.

Recife is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Recife or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Recife is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Recife. The city's beaches are clean and enjoyable to visit and one of the most famous is Praia de Boa Viagem. Some beaches are lined with hotels and nightclubs while others are a bit more removed. If you decide to swim, do take note that shark attacks in the area are a real concern.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Jaco. Jaco Beach is a great spot for swimming and surfing. It's lost some of its original charm, but there's still golden sand and nearby horseback riding.

Is the Shopping Better in Recife or Jaco?

Recife is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Recife. The city has many local shops, art galleries, and larger shopping centers. Whether you're looking for clothing or a cultural souvenir, there are many places to browse.

Jaco is a great destination for shopping. Many of the shops are found along the main street. There are a number of souvenir stores and a few art galleries that are worth checking out.

Is Recife or Jaco Better for Families?

Jaco is a town with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Recife is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Jaco is a family-friendly place to visit. Nearby you'll find horseback riding, monkey tours, and other fun kid-friendly activities. Kids will enjoy the beaches in the area as well.

Recife is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a couple of museums that are good for kids, like Museu do Mamulengo. There are also beaches that are relatively clean for swimming, but make sure you go where the locals go and be very aware of the water conditions.

Is Recife or Jaco Better for Couples?

Both Recife and Jaco are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Recife makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beaches and restaurants that make for a nice date day. You can explore the city, visit some museums, and soak up the local culture.

Jaco is a good city for couples to visit. It's one of the more touristy parts of Costa Rica, but if you enjoy surfing and beach life, then you'll find a lot to do in the area.

Is Recife or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jaco is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jaco is a great town to visit for backpackers. It's a touristy town with a bit of a party reputation. There are plenty of hostels and other backpackers around so you shouldn't have trouble meeting people.

Plenty of backpackers visit Recife. There are a few hostels around town, but they do fill up quickly. The city is often overlooked by tourists but if you're looking for an authentic experience, then this is your place.

Is Recife or Jaco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Recife is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Recife has some public transit options. The city has a metro system as well as city buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Jaco. Most people walk or get around by bicycle.

Is Recife or Jaco a more walkable city?

Jaco is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Recife is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Jaco is a very walkable town. The town is compact and walkable. You'll find many of the restaurants and shops along the main street, and it's easy to reach the beach on foot.

Recife is generally not a very walkable city. Parts of the city are more walkable than others. It's also best not to walk alone at night.

For even more information, also check out Is Recife Worth Visiting? and Is Jaco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Recife?

How long in Recife or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Recife or Jaco. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Jaco due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Recife, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

Families should spend more time in Jaco than Recife. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Jaco, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Recife than Jaco. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Recife that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jaco than Recife if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Jaco.

One day in Recife or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Recife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jaco. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Recife or Jaco?

Recife is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Jaco is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Recife or Jaco?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Recife. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jaco. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Recife or Jaco?

The authentic city of Recife offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Jaco. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Recife or Jaco?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Jaco, 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 Jaco?

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

Should I visit Recife or Jaco in the Summer?

Both Jaco and Recife during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Recife for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

In the summer, Recife is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Jaco averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Recife. In the summer, Recife often gets more sunshine than Jacoin July. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.

Jaco 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 Jacoin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.

Should I visit Recife or Jaco in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Jaco. The autumn months attract visitors to Recife because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

Recife usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Jaco 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 Jacoin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to May in Jaco is the dry season. June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco.

Should I visit Recife or Jaco in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Recife as well as Jaco. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Recife this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

Recife is cooler than Jaco in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. In the winter, Recife often gets less sunshine than Jacoin January. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.

Recife receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Jacoin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.

Should I visit Recife or Jaco in the Spring?

Both Jaco and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Recife for the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Recife is cooler than Jaco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Jaco averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Recife usually receives more rain than Jacoin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Recife is October to December. The dry season in Jaco is November to May. June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Jaco and Recife