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

Should you visit Recife or Negril?

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 Negril 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 Negril?

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.

Negril

Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, and The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Negril 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 $216, while the average daily cost in Negril is $152. 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 Negril in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $88
    Negril $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $176
    Negril $206
Compare Hotels in Recife and Negril

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Negril? 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 Negril


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 Negril Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.43
    Negril $8.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport: $110
  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:


  • Taxi From Airport
    $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril

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

  • Riu Negril Private Airport Transfers: $13
  • Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
  • MBJ Airport Transfers to/from Montego Bay Hotels/Villas/Airbnb: $20
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $34
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Private Transfer To Grand Palladium: $35
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Falmouth, Grand Palladium: $35
  • Airport transfer to or from Grand Palladium: $35
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $35
  • Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $37
  • Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
  • Grand Palladium hotel transfer from Montego Bay airport: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Negril?

Prices for flights to both Negril 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 $121
    Negril $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril

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

  • The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $80
  • Cultural Food Tour & Seven Mile Beach At Negril’s Margaritaville: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Negril $26

Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 2 Hr Horseback Ride
    $43

Tours and Activities in Negril

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

  • Catamaran, ATV and Horse Back Riding/Swim Day Tour: $51
  • Negril Beach Experience & Rick's Cafe from Negril: $59
  • Negril Seven Mile Beach & Rick's Cafe Sunset Tour Negril Jamaica: $60
  • Jamwest Push Kart Adventure Experience Entry Ticket in Negril: $60
  • Rick's Cafe Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise: $65
  • Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
  • Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
  • Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
  • Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Tour: $75
  • Private Guided 2-Hour Tour in Montego Bay: $77
  • Choose Your Adventure: ATV, Zipline, Horseback Ride & Rafting: $80
  • Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Negril $9.85

Sample the Local Flavors in Negril

Also in Negril, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Negril One Love Bus Bar Crawl: $26


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

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Negril?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 490 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Negril, 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 Negril?

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

Should I visit Recife or Negril in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Recife as well as Negril. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Recife this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year.

Recife is around the same temperature as Negril in the summer. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Negril fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the summer, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Negrilin July. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Negril receives 257 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Negril. Recife receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife usually gets less rain in January than Negrilin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Negril receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Negril 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Recife or Negril in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Recife is around the same temperature as Negril. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Negril averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Negril. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Negril during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Negril receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. It's quite rainy in Recife. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Negrilin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Negril receives 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Negril 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Recife or Negril in the Winter?

Both Negril and Recife during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Recife in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round.

In July, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Negrilin January. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 24°C (76°F), and Negril fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Recife often gets less sunshine than Negrilin January. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Negril receives 226 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Negrilin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Negril receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Negril 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Recife or Negril in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Negril. Most visitors come to Recife for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Recife is around the same temperature as Negril in the spring. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Negril fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives more sunshine than Negril during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Negril receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Recife usually receives less rain than Negrilin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Negril receives 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to December in Recife is the dry season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Negril 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Negril and Recife

Recife Negril
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)