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

Should you visit Recife or Valdivia?

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 Valdivia 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 Valdivia?

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.

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Recife or Valdivia?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Valdivia. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Recife or Valdivia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Recife as well as Valdivia. Many travelers come to Recife for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Recife is generally much warmer than Valdivia. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the summer, Recife often gets less sunshine than Valdivia. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 296 hours of full sun.

Recife receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife usually gets more rain in January than Valdivia. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.

Should I visit Recife or Valdivia in the Autumn?

Both Valdivia and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Recife in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Recife is much warmer than Valdivia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Recife usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. It's quite rainy in Recife. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Valdivia. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Recife or Valdivia in the Winter?

Both Valdivia and Recife during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Recife for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Recife is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Recife in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Valdivia averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Recife often gets more sunshine than Valdivia. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 66 hours of full sun.

Valdivia 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 July than Valdivia. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.

Should I visit Recife or Valdivia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Valdivia. The spring months attract visitors to Recife because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In October, Recife is generally much warmer than Valdivia. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 25°C (77°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Recife usually receives less rain than Valdivia. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to December in Recife is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Valdivia and Recife