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

Should you visit Recife or Puerto Viejo?

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 Viejo 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 Viejo?

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 Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Recife and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Recife is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Recife is in South America and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

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

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

Should I visit Recife or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Recife during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

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

It's quite sunny in Recife. In the summer, Recife often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin July. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejoin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Recife or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Recife usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejoin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Recife or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Recife as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Recife is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

In the winter, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejoin January. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Recife receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Viejoin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Recife or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Recife is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In October, Recife usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Recife