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

Central America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Flores 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 Flores 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: Flores or Puerto Viejo?

Flores

The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Flores?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $26, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $94. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Flores and Puerto Viejo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Flores $6.82
    Puerto Viejo $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Flores $14
    Puerto Viejo $98
Compare Hotels in Flores and Puerto Viejo

Looking for a hotel in Flores 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 Flores


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: Flores Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Flores $6.22
    Puerto Viejo $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores

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

  • Tikal National Park Tour with Guide and Transfer: $45
  • Round-Trip Private Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Flores or Puerto Viejo?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Flores 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
    Flores $10
    Puerto Viejo $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Flores $16
    Puerto Viejo $26
Typical Entertainment prices in Flores

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Tikal Entrance (for 2)
    $38
  • Map of Tikal
    $3.18

Tours and Activities in Flores

For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Day Mayan Ruins Tour of Tikal and Yaxha from Flores: $302
  • Bird Observation Tour: $117
  • Bird Watch Tour in Ixpanpajul, Tikal or Taxha: $274
  • Birding Tour In Tikal: $130
  • Crater Azul, Full day Tour, From FLORES, Petén.: $171
  • Day Tour to Ixpanpajul Natural Park: $171
  • Day Tour to Petén Itzá Lake and Petencito Zoo: $123
  • Day Trip from Flores with Sunrise in Tikal and Archeology Tour: $80
  • El Mirador And Crater Azul Tour From Flores 2d / 1n: $703
  • El Mirador And Tikal Tour From Flores 2d / 1n: $670
  • El Mirador And Yaxha Tour From Flores City 2d / 1 N: $650
  • El Mirador Tour By Helicopter From Flores: $482

Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo

For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Tamarindo: ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Flores $16
    Puerto Viejo $9.67
Typical Alcohol prices in Flores

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:


  • Two Margaritas
    $2.55

About these numbers

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

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
San Pedro vs. Flores
San Pedro vs. Puerto Viejo
San Ignacio vs. Flores
San Ignacio vs. Puerto Viejo
Belize City vs. Flores
Belize City vs. Puerto Viejo
San Pedro La Laguna vs. Flores
San Pedro La Laguna vs. Puerto Viejo
Flores vs. Guatemala City
Flores vs. Antigua Guatemala
Flores vs. Roatan
Flores vs. La Ceiba
Flores vs. Copan
Flores vs. San Juan del Sur
Flores vs. Isla de Ometepe
Flores vs. Managua
Flores vs. Leon
Flores vs. Granada
Flores vs. San Jose
Flores vs. Quepos
Flores vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)
Flores vs. Santa Elena
Flores vs. Liberia
Flores vs. Jaco
Flores vs. La Fortuna
Flores vs. Pedasi
Flores vs. Panama City
Flores vs. David
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Flores vs. Puerto Viejo Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.