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

Should you visit Recife or Montevideo?

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 Montevideo 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 Montevideo?

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.

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.


Which place is cheaper, Montevideo or Recife?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $190, while the average daily cost in Montevideo 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 Montevideo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $77
    Montevideo $35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $154
    Montevideo $70
Compare Hotels in Recife and Montevideo

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Montevideo? 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.

Hotels in Recife


Hotels in Montevideo


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 Montevideo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $7.42
    Montevideo $6.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Private Transfer from Recife to Tamandare Beach: $110
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Serrambi Beach: $101
  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $99
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Carneiros Beach: $98
  • Porto de Galinhas: Private Transfer from Recife Airport (round trip): $86
  • Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
  • Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
  • Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Olinda: $46
  • Instituto Ricardo Brennand with transfers from Recife: $45
  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $20
  • Montevideo Airport Transfers: $33
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Roundtrip transfer private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo: $40
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • MVD Airport Private Transfer to Montevideo City Center: $48
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $52
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $52
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $52
  • Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $85
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $102

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Montevideo?

Prices for flights to both Montevideo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Recife $106
    Montevideo $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $86
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $93
  • Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $9.85
    Montevideo $18

Tours and Activities in Recife

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Recife are as follows:

  • City Tour Recife with Catamaran included: $150
  • Colonial North Coast beaches - Full-Day Tour: $33
  • Olinda City Tour and Instituto Ricardo Brennand: $94
  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.86
  • Porto Galinhas Full Day Tour: $31
  • Recife & Olinda City Tour: Unveiling the Charm of Two Cities: $29
  • Carneiros Beach Day Tour: $40
  • City Tour Recife & Olinda: $27

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
  • Guided Walking Tour in Montevideo: $25
  • Tourist Bus Discover Montevideo: $25
  • Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
  • City tour Montevideo: $27
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $28
  • Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $29
  • Montevideo : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $29
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Montevideo -

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $103
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $215
  • Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450


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

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Montevideo?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Montevideo. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Montevideo, 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 Montevideo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Recife or Montevideo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Recife as well as Montevideo. The summer months attract visitors to Recife because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Recife is around the same temperature as Montevideo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Montevideo averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the summer, Recife often gets less sunshine than Montevideo. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 296 hours of full sun.

Recife receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife usually gets more rain in January than Montevideo. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Recife or Montevideo in the Autumn?

Both Montevideo and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Recife this time of year.

In April, Recife is generally much warmer than Montevideo. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Montevideo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Recife usually receives more sunshine than Montevideo during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 171 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. It's quite rainy in Recife. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Montevideo. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Recife or Montevideo in the Winter?

Both Montevideo and Recife during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Recife for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Recife is much warmer than Montevideo in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Montevideo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Recife often gets more sunshine than Montevideo. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montevideo receives 135 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Montevideo. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Recife or Montevideo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Montevideo. Many visitors come to Recife in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Recife is a little warmer than Montevideo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Montevideo averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo 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 Montevideo during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Montevideo receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

Montevideo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Recife usually receives less rain than Montevideo. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montevideo receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to December in Recife is the dry season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Montevideo and Recife

Recife Montevideo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)