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

Should you visit Grande-Terre or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre 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: Grande-Terre or Puerto Viejo?

Grande-Terre

Grande Terre is an island that makes up the eastern half of the Guadeloupe 'mainland.' It is divided from the other half of the main Guadeloupe island, Basse Terre, by a narrow channel called Rivière Salee (or the Salt River). The island itself is characterized by rolling hills, white sand beaches, and cliffs, and its indented coastline is surrounded by coral reefs. It is home to most of Guadeloupe's farmlands and tourist resorts.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grande-Terre and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Grande-Terre is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grande-Terre is in Caribbean Islands 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 Puerto Viejo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Viejo 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 Grande-Terre would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grande-Terre than you might in Puerto Viejo.

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

When is the best time to visit Grande-Terre 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 Grande-Terre or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

Also, September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Grande-Terre receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grande-Terre usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Grande-Terre gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grande-Terre this time of the year. In the summer, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Grande-Terre gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grande-Terre in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October. The rainy season in Puerto Viejo is November to January. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Grande-Terre. In October, Grande-Terre usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejo. Grande-Terre gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grande-Terre. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Grande-Terre gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grande-Terre usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Grande-Terre gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Grande-Terre. In the winter, Grande-Terre often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Grande-Terre gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Grande-Terre averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Grande-Terre or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

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

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Grande-Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Grande-Terre usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Grande-Terre gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In Grande-Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grande-Terre usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Grande-Terre gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Grande-Terre is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grande-Terre in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Grande-Terre