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

Should you visit Huaraz or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Huaraz and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Huaraz or Puerto Viejo?

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, 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 Huaraz and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.

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

When is the best time to visit Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Puerto Viejo. Huaraz 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. Huaraz usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In July, Huaraz is generally much colder than Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 3°C (37°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz 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 October, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite cold in Huaraz in the autumn. Huaraz is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 4°C (39°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Huaraz during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz 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 Huaraz. Huaraz usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Huaraz is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Huaraz in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Huaraz or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz 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. In April, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Huaraz is generally much colder than Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 6°C (43°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Huaraz