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

Should you visit Recife or Managua?

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 Managua 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 Managua?

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.

Managua

Managua is the capital, and largest city in Nicaragua. The economy is generally centered around the trade of coffee, cotton, and other types of agriculture. It also is a textile capital for the area. Managua is also a very reasonably priced destination in Central America. Restaurants and hotels are quite affordable and you'll find all kinds of international cuisine around the city. Transportation is also incredibly affordable and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised at the cost of intercity bus rides.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Recife or Managua?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Managua, 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 Managua?

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

Should I visit Recife or Managua in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Recife as well as Managua. Many visitors come to Recife in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.

In January, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Managuain July. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the summer, Recife often gets more sunshine than Managuain July. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 175 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Managua. Recife receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife usually gets less rain in January than Managuain July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.

Should I visit Recife or Managua in the Autumn?

Both Managua and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Recife for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Recife is around the same temperature as Managua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.

Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Managua during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Managua. It's quite rainy in Recife. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Managuain October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Recife or Managua in the Winter?

Both Managua and Recife during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Recife because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.

In the winter, Recife is around the same temperature as Managua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Recife in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Managua averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.

In Managua, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Recife often gets less sunshine than Managuain January. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Managua receives 244 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Managuain January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.

Should I visit Recife or Managua in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Managua. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Recife this time of year. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Recife is generally cooler than Managuain April. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 25°C (77°F), and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Managua this time of the year. In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Managua during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Managua receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Recife usually receives more rain than Managuain April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to December in Recife is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Managua and Recife