Which place is cheaper, Lima or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Recife or Lima?
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 Lima 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Recife Prices
Brazil PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $209Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $209, while the average daily cost in Lima 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRecife $84Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $168Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Recife and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Recife or Lima? 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 and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Recife $8.13Lima $6.06
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 : $111
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima Hotels: $18
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $117Lima $32
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $11Lima $9.15
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Lima $5.95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Lima, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Recife Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Recife or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Recife. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Lima, 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 Lima?
Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Recife or Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Recife this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Recife is generally a little warmer than Limain July. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Recife. In January, Recife usually receives more rain than Limain July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Recife is March to August.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRecife 26°C (79°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Recife or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Recife during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Recife for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
Recife is a little warmer than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
In the autumn, Recife often gets more sunshine than Limain October. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Limain October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRecife 26°C (79°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Recife or Lima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Lima. Many visitors come to Recife in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Recife is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Recife in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
Recife usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Limain January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Recife.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRecife 24°C (76°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Recife or Lima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Recife as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Recife for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In October, Recife is generally a little warmer than Limain April. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 25°C (77°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the spring, Recife often gets more sunshine than Limain April. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
Recife usually gets more rain in October than Limain April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to December in Recife is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRecife 25°C (77°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Recife
| Recife | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 338 mm (13.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (78°F) | 319 mm (12.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 378 mm (14.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 388 mm (15.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.