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

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.

Where Should I go: Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo?

Florianopolis

With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.

Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.

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 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. 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.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Florianopolis during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Puerto Viejo. 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.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Puerto Viejo. 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