A Travel Price Comparison for Brazil Recife vs. Rio de Janeiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

South America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Recife or Rio de Janeiro?

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 Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?

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.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. The peak time to visit is during the city's famous Carnival festival, which is one of the most famous festivals in the world. However, Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year around. The city has a wonderful natural harbour that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting. And you can't miss the beach, either!

Which city is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Recife?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $133, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $83. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $70
    Rio de Janeiro $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $140
    Rio de Janeiro $104
Compare Hotels in Recife and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Rio de Janeiro? 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 Rio de Janeiro


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 Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $6.79
    Rio de Janeiro $6.38

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

Typical Local Transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.94

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $14
  • Private Departure Transfer from Rio de Janeiro City or Copacabana to SDU Airport: $19
  • Executive Transfers - Rio de Janeiro - Santos Dumont Airport SDU: $20
  • Private Airport Transfer: Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro: $21
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Rio de Janeiro to Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $21
  • Private Departure Transfer from Rio de Janeiro City or Copacabana to GIG Airport: $22
  • Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $22
  • Shared Transfer from hotels to Rio de Janeiro airport: $22
  • Private Airport Transfer: Galeao International Airport (GIG) to Rio de Janeiro: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Galeao International Airport (GIG): $23
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport to City: $23
  • Transfer in Private Car from Galeao Airpor t(GIG) to Rio de Janeiro city center: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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 $56
    Rio de Janeiro $16

Typical Food prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    $0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.78
  • Hamburger
    $0.98

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro: $30
  • Cooking Class for Cacao Lovers: $51
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $55
  • Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class: $56
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $60
  • Private Tour in Rio Scenarium with Dinner: $65
  • Skip the line: Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $70
  • Dinner and Brazilian Music Show in Rio Scenarium: $70
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $72
  • Small-Group Boozy 7-Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class: $75
  • Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private): $80
  • Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $9.01
    Rio de Janeiro $17

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 Rio de Janeiro

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

  • Rio Line Panoramic City Tour - Boulevard Route: $10
  • Inside Rio Photography Walking Tour: $10
  • Hiking Tour to Pedra do Telégrafo (Telegraph Stone): $12
  • Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School: $16
  • Rocinha Lucky Tour: $16
  • Rio Street Art Experience 2 Hours: $19
  • Christ the Redeemer and Escadaria Selarón Half-Day Tour: $19
  • 2 Hour Vidigal Favela Tour Discovery the Most Laidback Favela: $19
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket with Van Transport: $20
  • Historical Downtown and Lapa - Walking Tour: $20
  • Favela Tour -The path of Michael Jackson in Rio: $20
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket by Cog Train: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Rio de Janeiro $9.68

Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Pub Crawl Rio de Janeiro: $11
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $19
  • Skip the line: Ipanema Pub Crawl: $28
  • Beautiful Imperial Petropolis City Tour Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $34
  • Rio By Night Tour: Pub Crawl Experiencing Music, Dancing, Drinks & Local Culture: $105
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $135
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $160

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Recife or Rio de Janeiro?

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 Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Rio de Janeiro.

In the summer, Recife is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January are around 26°C (79°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 26°C (79°F).

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Recife usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rio de Janeiro. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Recife or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Rio de Janeiro.

In April, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Rio de Janeiro stays around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Rio de Janeiro. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Recife or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

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

Recife is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The temperature in Recife is usually 24°C (76°F) in July, and Rio de Janeiro stays around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiro. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Recife or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Recife during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Recife is around the same temperature as Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October are around 25°C (77°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 23°C (73°F).

Recife usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiro. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Recife

Recife Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Athens vs. Rio de Janeiro
Dubai vs. Rio de Janeiro
Cairo vs. Rio de Janeiro
Saint Petersburg vs. Rio de Janeiro
Moscow vs. Rio de Janeiro
Istanbul vs. Rio de Janeiro
Kathmandu vs. Rio de Janeiro
Ho Chi Minh City vs. Rio de Janeiro
Bangkok vs. Rio de Janeiro
Kuala Lumpur vs. Rio de Janeiro
Shanghai vs. Rio de Janeiro
Beijing vs. Rio de Janeiro
Hong Kong vs. Rio de Janeiro
Seoul vs. Rio de Janeiro
Tokyo vs. Rio de Janeiro
Singapore vs. Rio de Janeiro
Sydney vs. Rio de Janeiro
Lisbon vs. Rio de Janeiro
Marrakech vs. Rio de Janeiro
Casablanca vs. Rio de Janeiro
London vs. Rio de Janeiro
Edinburgh vs. Rio de Janeiro
Amsterdam vs. Rio de Janeiro
Munich vs. Rio de Janeiro
Berlin vs. Rio de Janeiro
Paris vs. Rio de Janeiro
Prague vs. Rio de Janeiro
Madrid vs. Rio de Janeiro
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Recife vs. Rio de Janeiro Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.