Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Flores?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours in Guatemala, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlores $33Puerto Viejo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Flores is $33, 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 Flores and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlores $8.62Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlores $17Puerto Viejo $142
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Flores $7.86Puerto Viejo $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Flores Guatemala to Caye Caulker Belize: $43
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $60
- Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $137
- Private transfer Mundo Maya Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
- Belize, Caye Caulke, San Pedro Van/ Ferry Transfer: $20
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
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 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
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Food Meals for one dayFlores $13Puerto Viejo $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Flores $20Puerto Viejo $78
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.22
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
- 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
- Admire The Sunrise In Tikal - Private Tour From Flores: $214
- Awaken to Tikals' Sunrise Exclusive Tour: $199
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Enjoy The Sunset On Top Of A Mayan Pyramid In Yaxha - Private Tour From Flores: $199
- 1-Day Tikal Tour Private Service From your Hotel: $185
- From Flores Guided Tour to Tikal with transportation + lunch: $75
- From 2-Day Tikal & Yaxhá Tour: $299
- From Blue Crater private day tour: $160
- From El Pucte Blue Crater Private Day Tour: $200
- From Exclusive Tikal Group Tour: $77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlores $21Puerto Viejo $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.57
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Flores Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.