Which place is cheaper, Recife or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar or Recife?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Recife 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: Zanzibar or Recife?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesRecife Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $66Recife $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $66, while the average daily cost in Recife is $209. 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 Zanzibar and Recife in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $26Recife $84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $52Recife $168
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Recife
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Recife? 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Recife Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $12Recife $8.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Prison Island Half Day Journey With Transfers - Zanzibar: $14
- Prison Island Excursion Half-Day Tour with Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
- Prison Island Experience Half Day Trip With Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
- Prison Island Adventure Half Day Tour With Transfer - Zanzibar: $15
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $17
- Prison Island Experience Half Day Tour With Transfer - Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Airport/Hotels transfer best price: $19
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Arrivals: $20
- Guided Tour of Stone Town's Historic Sites + Transfer – Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels : $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour with Transfers – Zanzibar: $20
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Recife?
Prices for flights to both Recife and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $30Recife $117
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
- Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Recife $11
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Zanzibar Organic Spice Farm Tour: $13
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour,history without transport: $14
- Spice Tour Zanzibar : $15
- Zanzibar stonetown walking tour with local guide: $18
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Zanzibar Green Tour Park Experience: $20
- Stone Town Historical & Cultural Walking Adventure – Zanzibar: $20
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- City tours zanzibar : $20
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $24
- Stone Town Tour, Historical & Cultural Landmarks in - Zanzibar: $24
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $7.20Recife -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Recife, we can see that Recife is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Recife is in South 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 Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Recife Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Recife?
Recife has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Recife, 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 Zanzibar or Recife?
Recife has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Recife in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Recife. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Recife this time of year.
In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Recifein January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Recife fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Recife this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Recife during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Recife receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.
Recife receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Recifein January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Recife receives 108 mm (4.3 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 July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Recife 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Recife in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Recife. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Recife for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Recife in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Recife fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Recifein April. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Recife receives 185 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Recife. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Recifein April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Recife receives 338 mm (13.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Recife 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Recife in the Winter?
Both Recife and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Recife in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Zanzibar is a little warmer than Recife. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Recife averages at about 24°C (76°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Recife during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Recife receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Recife. In January, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Recifein July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Recife receives 388 mm (15.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Recife is March to August.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Recife 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Recife in the Spring?
Both Recife and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Recife for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Recifein October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Recife fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Recife, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Recifein October. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Recife receives 247 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Recifein October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Recife receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to December is the dry season in Recife.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Recife 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Recife and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Recife | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 338 mm (13.3 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 319 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 378 mm (14.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 388 mm (15.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.