Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay?
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.
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
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 PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRecife $209Montego Bay $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Recife is $209, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $255. 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 Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRecife $84Montego Bay $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRecife $168Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Recife and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Recife or Montego Bay? 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 Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Recife $8.13Montego Bay $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Recife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Recife:
- Private Transfer from Olinda to Recife (REC) Airport: $50
- Departure Transfer from Olinda to Recife Airport: $100
- Private Transfer from Igarassu to Recife (REC) Airport : $111
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay and Falmouth Hotels : $16
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport/ Port Transfers to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotel: $16
- Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
- Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $20
- Private Montego Bay Airport transfer to Falmouth Trelawny : $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Recife or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay 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 $117Montego Bay $139
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Recife $11Montego Bay $31
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.63
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Snorkeling Trip$18
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Luminous Lagoon Admission Tickets: $40
- Jet Car Experience/ clear kayak photo shoot in Montego Bay: $40
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $50
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- Montego Bay Sight Seeing with Tour Guide : $50
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $54
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $55
- Montego Bay & Falmouth Hotels, Souvenir Shopping and sightseeing: $60
- Private Tour in Dunns River Falls: $60
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Private Montego Bay Customized Tour with Pickup and Guide: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRecife -Montego Bay $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Recife and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Recife much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Recife is in South America and Montego Bay 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 Recife would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Recife 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Recife.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Recife Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Recife or Montego Bay?
Recife has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Montego Bay, 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 Montego Bay?
Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Recife or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Recife because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Recife is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Recife. Recife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Recife. In January, Recife usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Recife is March to August.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRecife 26°C (79°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Recife or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Recife during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Recife this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In the autumn, Recife is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Recife in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Recife often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin October. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay 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 Montego Bayin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRecife 26°C (79°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Recife or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Recife for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bayin January. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 24°C (76°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Recife.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRecife 24°C (76°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Recife or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Recife as well as Montego Bay. Many visitors come to Recife in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Recife is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In the spring, Recife often gets more sunshine than Montego Bayin April. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
Recife usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Montego Bayin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to December in Recife is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRecife 25°C (77°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Recife
| Recife | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 338 mm (13.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 25°C (78°F) | 319 mm (12.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 378 mm (14.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 388 mm (15.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.