A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Recife vs. Oaxaca de Juarez for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

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 Oaxaca de Juarez 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.

Recife

Recife is a cultural, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Recife travel costs.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Oaxaca de Juarez is a historic, cultural, and authentic city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Oaxaca de Juarez travel costs.

Recife and Oaxaca de Juarez: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Recife than Oaxaca de Juarez. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Recife is very popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Oaxaca de Juarez attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping. Oaxaca de Juarez is more touristy than Recife and is popular for its indigenous cultures, historic center, and excellent food scene. Recife is famous for its football and music scenes. It is also well known for Praia de Boa Viagem.

How is Recife different from Oaxaca de Juarez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oaxaca de Juarez and Recife. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Oaxaca de Juarez are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many museums and historical sights in the city and nearby. The Oaxaca Cathedral is located on the city's main square, Zocalo. Also worth visiting is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude. Just a few kilometers outside of the city is the historic settlement of Monte Albán as well as the Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apóstol. Also check out the Rufino Tamayo Museum and Museo Casa Juárez.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Recife. The city is large and cultural, so there are a number of museums that you can explore. Some of the favorites include the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, the State of Pernambuco Museum, and the Recife City Museum.

Is the Food Better in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Oaxaca de Juarez have been singled out for their culinary prowess. This is a city for foodies. Of all the destinations in Mexico, this one always tops the list for its cuisine. The food is influenced by traditional ingredients like corn and many of the recipes have been passed on through the generations. Local dishes include mole, Oaxaca cheese, coloradito, and tlayudas.

Recife has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find plenty of local restaurants around town. Grilled meat is a staple in many of the dishes and you should definitely visit a churrascaria, which is a restaurant that specializes in cooking meat in the churrasco style. Food carts are great for picking up a coxinha (a pastry), and other local dishes include camarão na moranga (pumpkin stuffed with shrimp) and picanha (sirloin cap).

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Nightlife?

Both Recife and Oaxaca de Juarez are excellent when it comes to partying.

Recife offers plenty to do in the evening. Many visitors come for Carnival, and this is the obvious time to visit if you're looking for the best parties. Even during the other times of the year, you'll find many happy hours, dance clubs, and live music to enjoy.

Oaxaca de Juarez has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene starts late in the evening and can continue into the early hours. Many people meet up around Oaxaca Zocalo and it's very lively in the evenings. You'll often find live music and a fun atmosphere. As the night progresses, many people make their way to Santo Domingo, which is where you'll find a number of bars and clubs.

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Beaches?

Recife is great for its beaches. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Recife is considered a top beach destination. The city's beaches are clean and enjoyable to visit and one of the most famous is Praia de Boa Viagem. Some beaches are lined with hotels and nightclubs while others are a bit more removed. If you decide to swim, do take note that shark attacks in the area are a real concern.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for its Old Town?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Recife does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Oaxaca de Juarez offers plenty to see. The historic center is filled with colonial Spanish architecture. It's laid out in a grid pattern and there are many historic monuments. The surrounding region also has a history that dates back 1500 years.

Recife does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Oaxaca de Juarez make it a world-class shopping destination. The region's indigenous populations are known for the artisan crafts and handmade items. Many visitors enjoy shopping at the city's markets, where you'll find handmade ceramics, hand blown glassware, and more.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Recife. The city has many local shops, art galleries, and larger shopping centers. Whether you're looking for clothing or a cultural souvenir, there are many places to browse.

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Families?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a city with good options for its family-friendly activities. However, Recife is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a family-friendly place to visit. For trampolines, bouncy houses, and other fun activities, head to El Llano Park on a weekend. There's also an outdoor playground and other fun activities for kids at Museu Infantil de Oaxaca. Kid-friendly restaurants are abundant, and if the kids enjoy hiking, you can head out of town for a day trip.

Recife is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a couple of museums that are good for kids, like Museu do Mamulengo. There are also beaches that are relatively clean for swimming, but make sure you go where the locals go and be very aware of the water conditions.

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Couples?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is famous for its cuisine, so food lovers will enjoy dining their way through town. There are also great hotels, beautiful gardens, and fascinating architecture.

Recife is a good city for couples to visit. There are beaches and restaurants that make for a nice date day. You can explore the city, visit some museums, and soak up the local culture.

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oaxaca de Juarez is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Oaxaca de Juarez. There are many very affordable hostels around town. The city is a mecca for backpackers in Mexico, and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with and great restaurants to explore.

Plenty of backpackers visit Recife. There are a few hostels around town, but they do fill up quickly. The city is often overlooked by tourists but if you're looking for an authentic experience, then this is your place.

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Recife and Oaxaca de Juarez offer nice public transit options.

Recife has a few public transit options. The city has a metro system as well as city buses.

Oaxaca de Juarez has some public transit options. The city has colectivos, which are shared taxis. There are also buses and tuk tuks that you can use to get around.

Is Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez a more walkable city?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Recife is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a very walkable city. It's a walkable city that's fun to explore on foot, particularly in the historic center.

Recife is generally not a very walkable city. Parts of the city are more walkable than others. It's also best not to walk alone at night.

For even more information, also check out Is Recife Worth Visiting? and Is Oaxaca de Juarez Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez or Recife?

How long in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

In either Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Recife because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Recife, and 2-5 days is enough time in Oaxaca de Juarez.

Families should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Recife. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oaxaca de Juarez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Recife. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oaxaca de Juarez that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Recife if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Oaxaca de Juarez.

One day in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Recife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Oaxaca de Juarez. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

You'll find shopping and museums around the under-rated city of Recife. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Recife is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oaxaca de Juarez. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Recife is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Oaxaca de Juarez. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Recife or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Oaxaca de Juarez. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Oaxaca de Juarez, 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.