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

Should you visit Cuenca or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cuenca and Puerto Viejo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Cuenca or Puerto Viejo?

Cuenca

Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.

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 Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador, 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 Cuenca and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Puerto Viejo. Cuenca 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. Cuenca usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Cuenca is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cuenca in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca 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, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Cuenca is generally much colder than Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 12°C (54°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Cuenca during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca 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. Cuenca usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Cuenca can be very cold during winter. Cuenca is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Cuenca or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca 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, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Cuenca is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cuenca in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Cuenca