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

Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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: Fortaleza or Puerto Viejo?

Fortaleza

A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.

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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to 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 Fortaleza and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.

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

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

Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In April, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin October. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the autumn, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejoin October. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In July, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Fortaleza during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In the spring, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the spring, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin April. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 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 Fortaleza