Which place is cheaper, Lima or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $166Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $166, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 $88Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $176Lima $98
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 $8.47Lima $5.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
- Shared Transfer from Recife to Cabo de Santo Agostinho: $33
- Instituto Ricardo Brennand with transfers from Recife: $41
- Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $46
- Private Transfer from Recife to Olinda: $46
- Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65
- Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
- Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
- Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
- Private Transfer from Recife to Serrambi Beach: $101
- Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $101
- Private Transfer from Recife to Carneiros Beach: $114
- Private Transfer from Recife to Tamandare Beach: $114
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Miraflores City to Lima Airport(LIM) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
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 $70Lima $18
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $11Lima $8.66
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: $7.68
- Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.86
- 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
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)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour: $25
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Lima $5.63
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$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $17
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
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. 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.
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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. 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. 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.
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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. 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.
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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.