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

Should you visit Recife or San Pedro?

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 Pedro 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 Pedro?

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 Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro 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 Pedro is $135. 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 Pedro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $88
    San Pedro $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $176
    San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Recife and San Pedro

Looking for a hotel in Recife or San Pedro? 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 Pedro


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 Pedro $34

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 San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or San Pedro?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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 Pedro $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    San Pedro $33

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: $7.82
  • 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 San Pedro

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

  • Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
  • Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    San Pedro $16


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

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 Pedro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Recife or San Pedro?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Recife and San Pedro, 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 Pedro?

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

Should I visit Recife or San Pedro in the Summer?

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

Recife is around the same temperature as San Pedro in the summer. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in San Pedro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives more sunshine than San Pedro during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. It's quite rainy in Recife. In January, Recife usually receives less rain than San Pedroin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Recife or San Pedro in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Recife is around the same temperature as San Pedro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April average around 26°C (79°F), and San Pedro averages at about 26°C (80°F)in October.

In the autumn, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedroin October. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 196 hours of full sun.

San Pedro 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 San Pedroin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Recife 26°C (79°F) 
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Recife or San Pedro in the Winter?

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

In July, Recife is generally around the same temperature as San Pedroin January. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 24°C (76°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

Recife usually receives less sunshine than San Pedro during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Pedro receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than San Pedroin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Recife 24°C (76°F) 
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Recife or San Pedro in the Spring?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the spring, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Pedroin April. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 256 hours of full sun.

Recife usually gets more rain in October than San Pedroin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for San Pedro and Recife

Recife San Pedro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 26°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 338 mm (13.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 25°C (78°F) 319 mm (12.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 378 mm (14.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 24°C (76°F) 388 mm (15.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)