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

Should you visit Recife or Pucon?

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 Pucon 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 Pucon?

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.

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

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


Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Recife?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $166, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $88
    Pucon $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $176
    Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Recife and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Pucon? 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 Pucon


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.47
    Pucon $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
  • Instituto Ricardo Brennand with transfers from Recife: $41
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $101
  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $46
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Carneiros Beach: $114
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Olinda: $46
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Serrambi Beach: $101
  • Private Transfer from Recife to Tamandare Beach: $114
  • Recife Boat Tour with Transfers: $72
  • Airport to Maragogi Hotels Private Transfer: $85
  • Airport to Porto de Galinhas Transfer: $65
  • Shared Transfer from Recife to Cabo de Santo Agostinho: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $70
    Pucon $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Pucon $37

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: $7.66
  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Pucon

Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Pucon $27


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

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Pucon?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Pucon, 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 Pucon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Recife or Pucon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Pucon.

In January, Recife is generally much warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pucon this time of the year. In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Recife usually receives more rain than Pucon. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Recife or Pucon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Pucon.

Recife is much warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Recife often gets more sunshine than Pucon. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pucon. Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Pucon. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Recife or Pucon in the Winter?

Both Pucon and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, Recife is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Recife in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Recife usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Pucon. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Recife or Pucon in the Spring?

Both Pucon and Recife during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, Recife is generally much warmer than Pucon. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 25°C (77°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Recife. In the spring, Recife often gets more sunshine than Pucon. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun.

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Recife usually gets less rain in October than Pucon. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Recife

Recife Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)