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

Should you visit Recife or Puerto Varas?

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 Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas?

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.

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

Which city is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Recife?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $173, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $131. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Recife and Puerto Varas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $91
    Puerto Varas $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $182
    Puerto Varas $162
Compare Hotels in Recife and Puerto Varas

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Puerto Varas? 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 Puerto Varas


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 Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.81
    Puerto Varas $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Arrival Private Transfer: Recife Airport REC to Porto de Galinhas by Minivan: $166
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Recife Airport REC to Porto de Galinhas by Sedan Car: $55
  • Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to João Pessoa: $109
  • Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Maceió: $256
  • Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Maragogi Hotels: $100
  • Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to Praia da Pipa: $192
  • Arrival Transfer from Airport of Recife to São Miguel dos Milagres: $160
  • Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Boa Viagem Pina or Piedade: $20
  • Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Cabo de Santo Agostinho: $30
  • Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Olinda: $40
  • Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Porto de Galinhas - Muro Alto or Serrambi: $40
  • Arrival Transfer from Recife Airport to Praia dos Carneiros: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:

  • Cruce Andino Office Shuttle Transfer from Puerto Varas: $9.69
  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $14
  • Puerto Varas Airport Shuttle Transfer: $29
  • Puerto Montt Departure Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas: $32
  • Puerto Varas Bus Terminal Private Transfer: $39
  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Varas: $43
  • Puerto Varas Airport Private Transfer: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Puerto Varas?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 $73
    Puerto Varas $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $12
    Puerto Varas $23

Tours and Activities in Recife

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

  • From Recife Old Town and Olinda City Tour: $17
  • Recife and Olinda City Tour: $26
  • City Tour Olinda And Recife Antigo: $26
  • Cultutal Tour in Recife with Ricardo Brennand Institute: $26
  • Recife Tour By Night: $27
  • Day Trip to Igarassu and Itamaracá Island Tour from Recife: $29
  • Recife Culture Tour Including Ricardo Brennand Institute: $37
  • Igarassu And Itamaraca Island Tour: $38
  • Recife Boat Tour: $38
  • Carneiros Beach Day Tour: $40
  • Maragogi Beach Tour from Recife: $43
  • Tour of 4 Beaches in Cabo de Santo Agostinho from Recife: $51

Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas

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

  • Osorno Volcano Tour: $26
  • Frutillar Tour: Southern Traditions: $34
  • Sightseeing Tour Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt: $37
  • Half day, traditional city tour: $40
  • Speed Boat City Tour in Puerto Varas: $45
  • Petrohue Waterfalls & Osorno Volcano Half-Day Tour: $49
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $60
  • Greater Island Chiloe Tour from Puerto Varas: $62
  • Full-Day Guided Tour to Villa Peulla from Puerto Varas: $67
  • Speed Boat and Walking City Tour in Puerto Varas: $69
  • Frutillar Bike Tour from Puerto Varas: $69
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Puerto Varas $7.86

Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Varas

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

  • Osorno Volcano & Brewery Tour in Puerto Varas: $64
  • Heritage City Tour and Brewery in Puerto Varas: $150


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


When is the best time to visit Recife or Puerto Varas?

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 Puerto Varas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Puerto Varas.

Recife is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The temperature in Recife is usually 26°C (79°F) in January, and Puerto Varas stays around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto Varas this time of the year. In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 204 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 Puerto Varas. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Recife or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Puerto Varas.

In the autumn, Recife is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April are around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Varas is about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Recife often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Puerto Varas. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Recife or Puerto Varas in the Winter?

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

In July, Recife is generally much warmer than Puerto Varas. Temperatures in Recife average around 24°C (76°F), and Puerto Varas stays around 7°C (45°F).

Recife usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Puerto Varas. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Recife or Puerto Varas in the Spring?

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

Recife is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The temperature in Recife is usually 25°C (77°F) in October, and Puerto Varas stays around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Recife. In the spring, Recife often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varas. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun.

Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Recife usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Varas. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Recife

Recife Puerto Varas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)


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Recife vs. Puerto Varas Travel Comparison

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