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

Should you visit Recife or Saint Croix?

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 Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix?

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.

Saint Croix

Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.

This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.

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


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix is $236. 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 Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $88
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $176
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Recife and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Saint Croix? 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 Saint Croix


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 Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.47
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
  • Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $217
  • St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix 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
    Saint Croix $56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.

  • A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
  • C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Saint Croix $58

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: $7.65
  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.86
  • 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 Saint Croix

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

  • Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
  • St Croix Island Tour: $100
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Saint Croix $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Recife much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Recife is in South America and Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Recife would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Recife 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 Saint Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Recife.

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



When is the best time to visit Recife or Saint Croix?

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

Should I visit Recife or Saint Croix in the Summer?

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

Recife is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Recife. In January, Recife usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Recife or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Recife during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In the autumn, Recife is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.

Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Saint Croixin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Recife or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croixin January. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 24°C (76°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Recife or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Recife as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

Recife is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.

Recife usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croixin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Recife

Recife Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)


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