A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fort-de-France vs. Puerto Viejo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France 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: Fort-de-France or Puerto Viejo?

Fort-de-France

As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.

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 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Fort-de-France?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fort-de-France is €152, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is €131. 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 Fort-de-France and Puerto Viejo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort-de-France 79
    Puerto Viejo 64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort-de-France 158
    Puerto Viejo 128
Compare Hotels in Fort-de-France and Puerto Viejo

Looking for a hotel in Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France


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: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort-de-France 16
    Puerto Viejo 34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France

Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer Fort de France Airport to and from Les Trois Ilets: $104
  • Private Transfer from Martinique Airport to Fort de France Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $72
  • Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66

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 Fort-de-France or Puerto Viejo?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Fort-de-France 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
    Fort-de-France 58
    Puerto Viejo 30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France

For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • cooking class with a local: $87
  • Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $105
  • Private Food Tour of Martinique in Fort-de-France: $201

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort-de-France 31
    Puerto Viejo 71

Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.

  • Admission Ticket Balata's Garden: $19
  • Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $76
  • Beachcombing in Paradise South Caribbean V.I.P Tour: $298
  • Diving and Snorkeling Catamaran Private Tour in Martinique: $265
  • Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $65
  • Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
  • Full Day Private Historic Tour of Rum Production in Martinique: $120
  • Full Day Tour of Martinique's Diverse Produce Industries: $109
  • Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
  • Half Day Private Custom Tour of Martinique: $182
  • Half Day Private Tour of Southern Martinique: $166
  • Half Day Tour Anywhere in Martinique: $72

Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo

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

  • Private night adventure in Manzanillo refuge: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort-de-France 10
    Puerto Viejo 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:

  • Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $76
  • North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $121


When comparing the travel costs between Fort-de-France and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Fort-de-France is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Fort-de-France is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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