Should you visit Flores or Puerto Viejo?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Flores and Puerto Viejo can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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 $55. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Flores and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $14 for a double occupancy room in Flores If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $56 in Puerto Viejo For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
While meal prices in Flores can vary, the average travelers spends about $10 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Flores should cost around $4.00 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Flores is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
The average traveler spends about $18 per day in Puerto Viejo for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Flores $10
Puerto Viejo $18
Local Transportation
To get around in Flores, the average visitor spends $6.32 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Puerto Viejo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $5.61 per person, per day on transportation in Puerto Viejo.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Tikal National Park Tour with Guide and Transfer:
$45
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Round-Trip Private Transfer to Tikal from Flores:
$90
Entertainment
In Flores, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $16 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Puerto Viejo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $17 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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
$3.23
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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2-Day Mayan Ruins Tour of Tikal and Yaxha from Flores:
$302
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Bird Observation Tour:
$117
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Bird Watch Tour in Ixpanpajul, Tikal or Taxha:
$274
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Birding Tour In Tikal:
$130
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Crater Azul, Full day Tour, From FLORES, Petén.:
$171
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Day Tour to Ixpanpajul Natural Park:
$171
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Day Tour to Petén Itzá Lake and Petencito Zoo:
$123
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Day Trip from Flores with Sunrise in Tikal and Archeology Tour:
$80
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El Mirador And Crater Azul Tour From Flores 2d / 1n:
$703
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El Mirador And Tikal Tour From Flores 2d / 1n:
$670
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El Mirador And Yaxha Tour From Flores City 2d / 1 N:
$650
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El Mirador Tour By Helicopter From Flores:
$482
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Flores spend on average $17 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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.
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