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

Should you visit Granada or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and Puerto Viejo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Granada or Puerto Viejo?

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

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 Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, 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 Granada and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.

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

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Granada or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

Granada is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Granada or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Granada gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Granada usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Viejo. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Granada is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Granada in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Granada or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Puerto Viejo. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Granada usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In January, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Granada or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Granada is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Granada