Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $81Puerto Viejo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $145. 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 Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $39Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $78Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo? 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: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16Puerto Viejo $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Bahía de Acapulco - Acapulco Airport (ACA): $24
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Acapulco Airport (ACA) -Bahía de Acapulco: $24
- Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $49
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez 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 dayAcapulco de Juarez $29Puerto Viejo $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
- Cliff Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $55
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $72
- Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Tacos Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $84
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands ON - Mex Cooking Class Experience - City Market & Lunch : $90
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Mexican Fiesta Show & Dinner: $115
- Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
- Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $18Puerto Viejo $78
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels, Divers, Chapel & Mural.: $44
- 6Hr Walking Tour San Diego Fort Museum Cliff Divers Zocalo: $68
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
- 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $62
- 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
- 4Hrs Small Group Half Day City Tour with Lunch at High Divers: $85
- 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
- 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
- 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
- Acapulco City Tour : $35
- Acapulco Historical Tour with Cliff Divers Show: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $11Puerto Viejo $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Puerto Viejo 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Puerto Viejo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Viejo than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?
Acapulco de Juarez has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Puerto Viejo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Puerto Viejo. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.
Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the summer. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAcapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. In October, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAcapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?
Both Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.
In January, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.
Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAcapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches during these months. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAcapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez
| Acapulco de Juarez | Puerto Viejo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 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.