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

Should you visit Belize City or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Belize City 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: Belize City or Puerto Viejo?

Belize City

Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.

This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.

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 G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, 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 Belize City and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Belize City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belize City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belize City 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 Belize City.

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

When is the best time to visit Belize City or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In July, Belize City usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Belize City is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Belize City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

September to October is the dry season in Puerto Viejo. November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Belize City is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belize City in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the winter. Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Belize City usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 24°C (74°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Puerto Viejo. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Belize City usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In the spring, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

Belize City is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Belize City