A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asuncion vs. Puerto Viejo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Asuncion or Puerto Viejo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion 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: Asuncion or Puerto Viejo?

Asuncion

Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.

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 Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Asuncion or Puerto Viejo?

Asuncion 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 Asuncion or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Asuncion is generally a little warmer than Puerto Viejoin July. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 29°C (84°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Asuncion gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Asuncion. In January, Asuncion usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asuncion or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Asuncion during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Asuncion is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

In the autumn, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin October. Asuncion gets 199 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asuncion or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Asuncion is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asuncion in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Asuncion gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Asuncion usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asuncion or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In October, Asuncion is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin April. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asuncion this time of the year. In the spring, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin April. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asuncion usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Asuncion