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

Should you visit Recife or San Fernando?

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 San Fernando 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 San Fernando?

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.

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, San Fernando 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 San Fernando is $153. 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 San Fernando in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $88
    San Fernando $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $176
    San Fernando $148
Compare Hotels in Recife and San Fernando

Looking for a hotel in Recife or San Fernando? 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 San Fernando


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
    San Fernando $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or San Fernando?

Prices for flights to both San Fernando 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
    San Fernando $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    San Fernando $28

Tours and Activities in Recife

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

  • City Tour Recife with Catamaran included: $150
  • Colonial North Coast beaches - Full-Day Tour: $35
  • Olinda City Tour and Instituto Ricardo Brennand: $94
  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
  • Recife (Historic Centre) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • City Tour Recife & Olinda: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    San Fernando $22


When comparing the travel costs between Recife and San Fernando, 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 San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands, 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 San Fernando Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Recife or San Fernando?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of Recife and San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?

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

Should I visit Recife or San Fernando in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Recife as well as San Fernando. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year.

Recife is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the summer. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the summer, Recife often gets more sunshine than San Fernandoin July. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Fernando. Recife receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife usually gets less rain in January than San Fernandoin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Recife or San Fernando in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Recife is around the same temperature as San Fernando. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April average around 26°C (79°F), and San Fernando averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. Recife usually receives less sunshine than San Fernando during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. It's quite rainy in Recife. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than San Fernandoin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Recife or San Fernando in the Winter?

Both San Fernando and Recife during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round.

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

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Recife often gets less sunshine than San Fernandoin January. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 241 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets more rain in July than San Fernandoin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Recife or San Fernando in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and San Fernando. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Recife is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the spring. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Fernando during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 238 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Recife usually receives more rain than San Fernandoin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Recife 25°C (77°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for San Fernando and Recife

Recife San Fernando
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 26°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 252 mm (9.9 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 225 mm (8.9 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)


Related Articles for San Fernando