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

Should you visit Caracas or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Caracas and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Caracas or Puerto Viejo?

Caracas

Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela, and also the country's largest city. It's in the northern portion of the country and is close to the Caribbean. While Caracas may not be a major travel destination in Venezuela, it can offer interesting insight into the country's urban character. It has a great art, culinary, and music culture that truly bring the city to life. The beautiful Mount Avila overlooks the city and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. Many locals and visitors alike head to the mountain as a quick escape. You can reach it by taking a cable car that carries you up to the SWaraira Repano Park at the very top.

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 Caracas and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Caracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Caracas 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 Caracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caracas 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 Caracas.

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

When is the best time to visit Caracas 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 Caracas or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Caracas as well as Puerto Viejo. Caracas 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. Caracas usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Caracas gets 57 mm (2.2 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 Caracas this time of the year. In the summer, Caracas often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Caracas gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Caracas is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caracas in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Caracas or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In October, Caracas usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Caracas gets 56 mm (2.2 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 Caracas. Caracas usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Caracas gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Caracas is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Caracas average around 28°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Caracas or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Caracas usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Caracas gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Caracas. In the winter, Caracas often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Caracas gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Caracas is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Caracas averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Caracas or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Caracas and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Caracas 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, Caracas usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Caracas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Caracas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo during spring. Caracas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Caracas is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caracas in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Caracas