A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Recife vs. Playa del Carmen for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Recife or Playa del Carmen?

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 Playa del Carmen 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.

Recife

Recife is a authentic, cultural, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Recife travel costs.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a scenic, stunning, and vibrant town. The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Recife and Playa del Carmen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Recife than Playa del Carmen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Recife is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Playa del Carmen is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Recife and is known for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. Recife is popular for its football and music scenes. It is also home to Praia de Boa Viagem.

How is Recife different from Playa del Carmen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Playa del Carmen and Recife. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

Recife is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Playa del Carmen is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.

Recife offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is large and cultural, so there are a number of museums that you can explore. Some of the favorites include the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, the Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, the State of Pernambuco Museum, and the Recife City Museum.

While most people don't head to Playa del Carmen specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.

Is the Food Better in Recife or Playa del Carmen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Recife is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Recife is an experience not to be missed. You'll find plenty of local restaurants around town. Grilled meat is a staple in many of the dishes and you should definitely visit a churrascaria, which is a restaurant that specializes in cooking meat in the churrasco style. Food carts are great for picking up a coxinha (a pastry), and other local dishes include camarão na moranga (pumpkin stuffed with shrimp) and picanha (sirloin cap).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Playa del Carmen. You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Playa del Carmen is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.

Recife has a large number of nightlife venues. Many visitors come for Carnival, and this is the obvious time to visit if you're looking for the best parties. Even during the other times of the year, you'll find many happy hours, dance clubs, and live music to enjoy.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Recife is not a resort destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class resort vacation destination. You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.

Recife is not a resort destination.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Recife is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Playa del Carmen is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.

Recife is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Playa del Carmen is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.

Many people visit Recife for it's beautiful beaches. The city's beaches are clean and enjoyable to visit and one of the most famous is Praia de Boa Viagem. Some beaches are lined with hotels and nightclubs while others are a bit more removed. If you decide to swim, do take note that shark attacks in the area are a real concern.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Recife is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Playa del Carmen. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Recife is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

Recife is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Recife. The city has many local shops, art galleries, and larger shopping centers. Whether you're looking for clothing or a cultural souvenir, there are many places to browse.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Playa del Carmen. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Recife is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Recife is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Recife is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an extremely popular town to visit for families. From eco parks to kid-friendly snorkeling opportunities, there are many activities for kids of all ages. There are also adventure parks and playgrounds that are perfect for a fun afternoon.

Recife is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a couple of museums that are good for kids, like Museu do Mamulengo. There are also beaches that are relatively clean for swimming, but make sure you go where the locals go and be very aware of the water conditions.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Recife is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Playa del Carmen is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Beautiful beaches and tropical jungles make this a paradise honeymoon destination. You'll find luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless opportunities to enjoy the stunning setting. Take a sunset cruise of explore one of the many natural wonders in the area.

Recife is a good city for couples to visit. There are beaches and restaurants that make for a nice date day. You can explore the city, visit some museums, and soak up the local culture.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Recife and Playa del Carmen are good destinations for backpackers.

Recife is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels around town, but they do fill up quickly. The city is often overlooked by tourists but if you're looking for an authentic experience, then this is your place.

Plenty of backpackers visit Playa del Carmen. It's filled with tourists staying at luxury resorts, but you'll also find a couple of hostels tucked away in town. If you're interesting in scuba diving, then it's well worth the trip.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Recife and Playa del Carmen offer good public transit options.

Recife has a few public transit options. The city has a metro system as well as city buses.

Playa del Carmen has some public transit options. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Is Recife or Playa del Carmen a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. However, Recife is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Playa del Carmen on foot. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.

Recife is generally not a very walkable city. Parts of the city are more walkable than others. It's also best not to walk alone at night.

For even more information, also check out Is Recife Worth Visiting? and Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Playa del Carmen or Recife?

How long in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

Both Recife and Playa del Carmen have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen than in Recife. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Recife, and 3-7 days is enough time in Playa del Carmen.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Recife. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Playa del Carmen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Recife. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Playa del Carmen that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Recife if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Playa del Carmen.

One day in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Recife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

You'll find shopping and museums around the under-rated city of Recife. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

Recife is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Recife or Playa del Carmen?

Recife is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Playa del Carmen. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Recife or Playa del Carmen?

Recife has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Recife and Playa del Carmen, 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 Playa del Carmen?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Recife is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Playa del Carmen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Recife or Playa del Carmen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Recife and Playa del Carmen. Many travelers come to Recife for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Recife usually receives more sunshine than Playa del Carmen during summer. Recife gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 223 hours of full sun in the summer.

Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Recife gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Recife usually receives less rain than Playa del Carmenin July. Recife gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Recife.

Should I visit Recife or Playa del Carmen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Recife as well as Playa del Carmen. Many visitors come to Recife in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In April, Recife is generally around the same temperature as Playa del Carmenin October. Daily temperatures in Recife average around 26°C (79°F), and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. In the autumn, Recife often gets less sunshine than Playa del Carmenin October. Recife gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 233 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. Recife receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Recife usually gets more rain in April than Playa del Carmenin October. Recife gets 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Recife or Playa del Carmen in the Winter?

Both Playa del Carmen and Recife are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Recife for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Recife is around the same temperature as Playa del Carmen in the winter. The daily temperature in Recife averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Playa del Carmen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. Recife usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Carmen during winter. Recife gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Carmen receives 224 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Recife. In July, Recife usually receives more rain than Playa del Carmenin January. Recife gets 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Recife is March to August.

Should I visit Recife or Playa del Carmen in the Spring?

Both Playa del Carmen and Recife during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Recife because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year.

In the spring, Recife is around the same temperature as Playa del Carmen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Recife in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Playa del Carmen averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.

In Playa del Carmen, 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 Playa del Carmenin April. Recife gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Carmen receives 259 hours of full sun.

Recife usually gets more rain in October than Playa del Carmenin April. Recife gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Playa del Carmen receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. October to December is the dry season in Recife. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Playa del Carmen and Recife