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

Should you visit Recife or Belize City?

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 Belize City 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 Belize City?

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.

Belize City

Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.

This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.

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


Which place is cheaper, Belize City 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
    Belize City Prices
    Belize Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Recife $209
    Belize City $108

The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $209, while the average daily cost in Belize City is $108. 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 Belize City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Recife $84
    Belize City $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Recife $168
    Belize City $98
Compare Hotels in Recife and Belize City

Looking for a hotel in Recife or Belize City? 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 Belize City


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 Belize City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Recife $8.13
    Belize City $5.81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Belize City to Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Belize City to Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city hotels -Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $72
  • Private transfer from the Philip Goldson Airport to San Ignacio: $80
  • Belize Airport (BZE) to San Ignacio - Arrival Private Transfer: $89
  • Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
  • Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Private Transfer from Belize City To Hopkins Village : $115
  • Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
  • Belize City Airport to Placencia Private Transfer: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Belize City?

Prices for flights to both Belize City 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
    Belize City $47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City

For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour - fish farm & restaurant : $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Recife $11
    Belize City $29

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: $4.48

Tours and Activities in Belize City

For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • The Historic Belize City Tour: $35
  • Belize City Tour: $40
  • Cucumber Beach and City Tour: $49
  • Cave Kayak tour for Belize Car Rental : $59
  • Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $60
  • TukTuk Belize History & Culture Tour : $60
  • Taste Bud Explosion Food Tasting Belize City Tour : $74
  • Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $75
  • Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
  • The Incredible Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City: $85
  • Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
  • Private Altun Ha Maya Ruin & Belize City Adventure From Belize City: $107

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Recife -
    Belize City $12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Recife or Belize City?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Belize City, 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 Belize City?

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

Should I visit Recife or Belize City in the Summer?

Both Belize City and Recife during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Recife for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.

In the summer, Recife is around the same temperature as Belize City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Belize City averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Recife. In the summer, Recife often gets more sunshine than Belize Cityin July. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 226 hours of full sun.

Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually gets less rain in January than Belize Cityin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the rainy season in Recife.


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

Should I visit Recife or Belize City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Belize City. Many visitors come to Recife in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Belize Cityin October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Belize City fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City during autumn. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Belize City receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Recife usually receives more rain than Belize Cityin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Recife or Belize City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Recife as well as Belize City. Most visitors come to Recife for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.

Recife is around the same temperature as Belize City in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Belize City fluctuates around 24°C (74°F)in January.

In the winter, Recife often gets less sunshine than Belize Cityin January. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 199 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Belize City. Recife receives a lot of rain in the winter. Recife usually gets more rain in July than Belize Cityin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August in Recife is the rainy season.


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

Should I visit Recife or Belize City in the Spring?

Both Belize City and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Recife because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Recife is around the same temperature as Belize City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Belize City averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Belize City. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City during spring. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Recife usually receives more rain than Belize Cityin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Recife is October to December.


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

Typical Weather for Belize City and Recife

Recife Belize City
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)