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

Should you visit Easter Island 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 Easter Island and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Easter Island or Puerto Viejo?

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Chile, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, 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 Easter Island and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Easter Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Easter Island 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 Easter Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Easter Island 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 Easter Island.

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

When is the best time to visit Easter Island or Puerto Viejo?

Easter Island 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 Easter Island or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Easter Island 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, Easter Island is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin July. Daily temperatures in Easter Island average around 24°C (74°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Easter Island. Easter Island usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Easter Island gets 272 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, Easter Island usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Easter Island gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Easter Island or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

Easter Island is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Easter Island averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

In the autumn, Easter Island often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin October. Easter Island gets 185 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 Easter Island. Easter Island usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Easter Island gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Easter Island or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Easter Island is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Easter Island in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Easter Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo during winter. Easter Island gets 148 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. Easter Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Easter Island usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Easter Island gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Easter Island or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Easter Island as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In October, Easter Island is generally cooler than Puerto Viejoin April. Daily temperatures in Easter Island average around 20°C (67°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Easter Island this time of the year. In the spring, Easter Island often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin April. Easter Island gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Easter Island usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Easter Island gets 68 mm (2.7 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 Easter Island