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

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Puerto Viejo?

Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.

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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, 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 Colonia del Sacramento and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento.

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

When is the best time to visit Colonia del Sacramento or Puerto Viejo?

Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Colonia del Sacramento 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, Colonia del Sacramento is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin July. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 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. In January, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 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 Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 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, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

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

In October, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than Puerto Viejoin April. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 18°C (64°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Colonia del Sacramento this time of the year. In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Colonia del Sacramento receives a lot of rain in the spring. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 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 Colonia del Sacramento