Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Recife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Recife or Kingston?
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 Kingston 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 Kingston?
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.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.
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Recife Prices
Brazil PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $209Kingston $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $209, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRecife $84Kingston $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $168Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Recife and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Recife or Kingston? 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.
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 Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Recife $8.13Kingston $28
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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
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Food Meals for one dayRecife $117Kingston $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $11Kingston $12
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 Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Kingston $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Kingston, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Recife is in South America and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Kingston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Recife Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Recife or Kingston?
Recife has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Recife or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Kingston. Most visitors come to Recife for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Recife is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Recife in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston 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 Kingston during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Recife usually receives more rain than Kingstonin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Recife.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRecife 26°C (79°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Recife or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Kingston. The autumn months attract visitors to Recife because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
In April, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Kingstonin October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the autumn, Recife often gets less sunshine than Kingstonin October. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Kingstonin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRecife 26°C (79°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Recife or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Recife this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Recife is around the same temperature as Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Kingstonin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Recife is March to August.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRecife 24°C (76°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Recife or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Recife during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Recife for the beaches and the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In the spring, Recife is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F)in April.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Recife. In the spring, Recife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingstonin April. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
Recife usually gets more rain in October than Kingstonin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. October to December is the dry season in Recife.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRecife 25°C (77°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Recife
| Recife | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 338 mm (13.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (78°F) | 319 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 378 mm (14.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 388 mm (15.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.