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

Should you visit Curitiba or Puerto Viejo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Curitiba and Puerto Viejo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Curitiba or Puerto Viejo?

Curitiba

Curitiba is a relatively large city that is convenient to visit if you're traveling to Iguazu Falls from either Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. It is worth a day or two stop over because it has a great old city that has been restored. It's also the capital of Parana, Brazil. Curitiba is one of the more wealthy cities in the southern region of Brazil. It has a diverse population with many immigrants and some interesting cultural events.

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 Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Curitiba?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Curitiba is $73, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $145. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Curitiba and Puerto Viejo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Curitiba $30
    Puerto Viejo $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Curitiba $60
    Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Curitiba and Puerto Viejo

Looking for a hotel in Curitiba or Puerto Viejo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Curitiba


Hotels in Puerto Viejo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Curitiba Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Curitiba $16
    Puerto Viejo $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Curitiba:


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Curitiba

Also for Curitiba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared transfer between Curitiba Airport and Hotels: $74
  • Shared Transfer: Curitiba International Airport: $39
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City to Curitiba Airport (CWB): $35
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba City Hotels to Porto Belo Port: $75
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Porto Belo Port : $75
  • Private Transfer from Curitiba Airport: $106
  • Curitiba to Curitiba Airport (CWB) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
  • Curitiba to Afonso Pena Airport (CWB)- Departure Private Transfer: $17
  • Curitiba Airport PrivateTransfers Round Trip or One Way: $111
  • Curitiba Airport CWB to Downtown hotels- Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Curitiba Airport (CWB) to Downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Afonso Pena Airport CWB to Beach Resorts : Arrival Transfer: $44

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo

Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373

Is it cheaper to fly into Curitiba or Puerto Viejo?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Curitiba change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Curitiba $28
    Puerto Viejo $33
Typical Food Prices in Curitiba

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Curitiba:


  • Chips
    $0.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Curitiba

For Curitiba, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba: $31
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $70
  • Curitiba's History Food Tour: $75
  • Curitiba Tour by Night with Dinner: $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Curitiba $19
    Puerto Viejo $78

Tours and Activities in Curitiba

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Curitiba.

  • Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre: $157
  • 2-Day Rafting and Rappelling Adventure in Tibagi: $190
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of Curitiba City: $70
  • Arte Bike Tour - Bike Tour with Kuritbike: $25
  • CRAFT BREWERS TOUR By Jens Tours: $72
  • Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel: $148
  • Curitiba City Tour: $58
  • Tour in Barigui Park: $122
  • Walking tour from past to present: $12
  • Full-day tour in Curitiba: $79
  • Gastronomic Tour in Curitiba with Jens Tours: $80
  • Half Day Curitiba Sightseeing Tour: $31

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Curitiba $14
    Puerto Viejo $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Curitiba

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Curitiba:


  • Beer
    $0.44


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

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