A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Recife vs. Santa Cruz de la Sierra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Recife or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

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.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, or simply Santa Cruz, is a larger city in the middle of Bolivia. It is also one of the most wealthy cities in the country. The city is also one of the fastest growing in the world. It is famous for its nightlife and it makes an excellent base for exploring many of the tourist attractions in the nearby areas.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Bolivia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz de la Sierra or Recife?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Recife Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra Prices
    Bolivia Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Recife $209
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $68

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $209, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is $68. 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $84
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $168
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $44
Compare Hotels in Recife and Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Santa Cruz de la Sierra? 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra


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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.13
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $9.90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

  • Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
  • Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $111
  • Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Taxi Ride
    $4.34
  • Mini Bus
    $0.58

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz de la Sierra 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 $117
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $34

Typical Food Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra:


  • Snacks
    $3.18
  • Chips
    $0.29
  • Banana
    $0.14
  • Cookies
    $1.30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

  • Guided Street Food Tour: Santa Cruz de la Sierra: $10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $19

Tours and Activities in Recife

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

  • Olinda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.50

Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking tour - A journey through the History of Santa Cruz: $11
  • Lomas de Arena Sandboarding Tour: $49
  • Santa Cruz: Wildlife Sanctuary and Preservation Park Tour: $85
  • Day Tour Jardin de las Delicias: $99
  • DayTour Refugio los volcanos View point/El Fuerte &Samaipata: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Santa Cruz de la Sierra $14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $1.59

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Also in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bolivia: Bolivian Wine Tasting with Charcuterie Board: $39


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Recife Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz de la Sierra Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Recife or Santa Cruz de la Sierra?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 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.