A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Florianopolis vs. Puerto Viejo for Beaches, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Florianopolis

Florianopolis is a vibrant, relaxing, and scenic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Florianopolis travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a relaxed, mellow, and authentic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Puerto Viejo is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Florianopolis. Although Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo are both popular with visitors, Florianopolis has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Florianopolis is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, beaches, and hiking, while Puerto Viejo is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Florianopolis is popular for its sandy beaches, world-class surfing, and beautiful nature. It is also home to Praia Mole. Puerto Viejo is popular for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood.

How is Florianopolis different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo and Florianopolis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Florianopolis is very good for its museums and history. However, Puerto Viejo is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Florianopolis. There are a number of science and cultural museums in the area that will introduce you to the region's local wildlife and history.

Puerto Viejo offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

Is the Food Better in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Florianopolis is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Florianopolis has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Perhaps the most popular local dish is feijoada, which is a stew that's slow cooked in a clay pot. It's a great dish for sharing and it originated in the region's African slave population. Another common food is pão de queijo, which is a dough that is made from cassava root flour. Also make sure you try the seafood, which is available in many restaurants around town.

Puerto Viejo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Both Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo have great vibes after the sun sets.

Florianopolis has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene can vary between peak tourism times and the low season. There are plenty of bars around town that cater to the locals, and you can expect these to be open year round. Alternatively, there are also places that specifically open during the summer months and will close during the off season.

The people in Puerto Viejo know how to have a good time. It's a laid back town during the day and at night there's a chill but lively atmosphere. You'll find a few bars and clubs that have live music, and it's not hard to find something interesting to do.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Resorts?

Florianopolis is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Florianopolis. You'll find a wide range of resorts that include everything from 5 star to more budget-friendly. There are also all-inclusive resorts and smaller, more personal places.

Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Florianopolis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Puerto Viejo has a few good snorkeling spots. You'll find the best snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, where you'll see coral and colorful fish. There's a dive shop in town as well, but most people enjoy the snorkeling in the area more.

Florianopolis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Florianopolis is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Florianopolis is a very popular vacation destination. There are miles of beautiful beaches that are popular for surfing. Joaquina Beach is one of the most popular beaches, particularly with surfers, but Mole Beach is quickly catching up in popularity. Campeche Beach is one of the widest and longest stretches of beach on the island.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Puerto Viejo. The beaches in the area are beautiful and offer great waves for surfing and patches of coral reef for snorkeling. Many of the beaches are lined with forest and have a more laid back and less developed atmosphere than the beaches on the Pacific side.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Florianopolis is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Florianopolis. The island is filled with beautiful jungles, striking beaches, and many dramatic settings that make it a great place to hike. The hikes also vary in length and skill level, so there really is something for everyone.

Puerto Viejo has hiking trails worth exploring. The hike through nearby Cahuita National Park is a highlight for many visitors. It wanders along the coastline and takes about three hours to walk. You'll likely see some wildlife during your walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Florianopolis. You'll find shopping malls and boutique retail shops that make for a great shopping experience.

Many visitors go to Puerto Viejo to go shopping. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Florianopolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Puerto Viejo is a beautiful place to visit, too. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.

Florianopolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Puerto Viejo is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Puerto Viejo is very family-friendly. With its easy access to Cahuita National Park and many wildlife experiences, this is a great destination for the kids. Kids can see sloths and monkeys, or enjoy snorkeling and hanging out on a chill beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Florianopolis. There are many outdoor activities, sports, beaches, and parks in the city. If your kids like to run around and have fun, you'll find some diverse experiences here.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Puerto Viejo is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Puerto Viejo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, which has a more laid back and less touristy atmosphere. While you won't find the larger resorts and tourist amenities in this area, couples who enjoy hiking and a local vibe will love their time here.

Florianopolis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful beaches and walking paths in the area. There's impressive natural beauty and a touch of undiscovered charm.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Puerto Viejo is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Puerto Viejo. There's a local atmosphere and enough hostels and budget accommodation to keep backpackers happy. It's also easy to explore and makes the perfect place to chill out for a few days.

Florianopolis is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not the most popular destination in Brazil, it does have a huge appeal with surfers.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo.

Florianopolis has some public transit options. There are buses around town, including buses that travel between the downtown and the beaches.

You'll find some public transit in Puerto Viejo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Is Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Puerto Viejo is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Florianopolis is not a walkable destination.

Puerto Viejo is a very walkable town. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.

Florianopolis is not a walkable destination. Most people get around the city with a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Florianopolis Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Viejo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Florianopolis?

How long in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Florianopolis than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Florianopolis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Florianopolis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Puerto Viejo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Florianopolis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Puerto Viejo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Florianopolis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Puerto Viejo.

One day in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

In Florianopolis, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the mellow destination of Puerto Viejo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Florianopolis is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Viejo. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Florianopolis. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed destination of Puerto Viejo. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Florianopolis is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the town of Puerto Viejo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Florianopolis this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Florianopolis is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Florianopolis in January average around 25°C (76°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

Florianopolis usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Florianopolis gets 198 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. It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In January, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Florianopolis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Florianopolis for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In April, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Puerto Viejoin October. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 22°C (71°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the autumn, Florianopolis often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin October. Florianopolis gets 179 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. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year. September to October is the dry season in Puerto Viejo. November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo. Many visitors come to Florianopolis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Florianopolis is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Florianopolis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo during winter. Florianopolis gets 170 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. In July, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Florianopolis for the beaches during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In the spring, Florianopolis is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Florianopolis in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

In the spring, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejoin April. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 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 Florianopolis