Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Puerto Viejo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Puerto Viejo?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Puerto Viejo $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $189. 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 Aqaba and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Puerto Viejo $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Puerto Viejo $158
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Puerto Viejo $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: Private Transfer to Aqaba through Hotel Pickup: $68
- Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Port Private Transfer – Comfortable & Reliable: $80
- Transfers , Meet & Assistance at Wadi Araba Crossing Border: $153
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Petra: $59
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Wadi rum: $140
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
- Private Transfers To Petra: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Puerto Viejo $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $82
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $109
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Puerto Viejo $87
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $61
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $73
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: $84
- 1 Day Camel tour with lunch: $75
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $204
- 2 Days Guided Hiking Tour To Wadi Rum Jebal Al Hash: $103
- 2 Days Tour | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea From Amman.: $190
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $50
- Chocolate Experience by Bribri Indigenous Culture: $65
- Gandoca-Manzanillo Hike Tour with Dolphin Watching: $125
- Canyoning Adventure in the Costa Rican Jungle: $257
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Puerto Viejo $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Aqaba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East 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 Aqaba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aqaba 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 Aqaba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba or Puerto Viejo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Aqaba or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Puerto Viejo. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.
Also, September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the summer, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Viejo and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October. The rainy season in Puerto Viejo is November to January. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Aqaba is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?
Both Puerto Viejo and Aqaba during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.
November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the winter, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.
Aqaba is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Aqaba is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Puerto Viejo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.