A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ilha Grande vs. Puerto Viejo for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Ilha Grande 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.

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Ilha Grande travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a relaxed, mellow, and authentic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Puerto Viejo is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Puerto Viejo. Although Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo are both popular with visitors, Puerto Viejo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Puerto Viejo is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and small town charm, while Ilha Grande is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling. Puerto Viejo is more touristy than Ilha Grande and is known for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood. It is also home to . Ilha Grande is popular for

How is Ilha Grande different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo and Ilha Grande. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Puerto Viejo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Ilha Grande has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The island still has a quiet, local vibe and that can be seen in the restaurants around town as well. Many places are locally owned and serve up traditional dishes. In particular, the seafood is excellent.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Puerto Viejo area. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Puerto Viejo has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a laid back town during the day and at night there's a chill but lively atmosphere. You'll find a few bars and clubs that have live music, and it's not hard to find something interesting to do.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Ilha Grande. It's a quiet island with a national park and most people visit specifically to get away from the busy and active city scene.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ilha Grande is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Ilha Grande. There are several places where you can rent snorkeling or dive equipment. The area has coral and tropical fish, with the occasional sea turtle sighting. The visibility is generally good and the experience is worth enjoying, but make sure you check on water conditions.

Puerto Viejo has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You'll find the best snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, where you'll see coral and colorful fish. There's a dive shop in town as well, but most people enjoy the snorkeling in the area more.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Puerto Viejo is considered a top beach destination. The beaches in the area are beautiful and offer great waves for surfing and patches of coral reef for snorkeling. Many of the beaches are lined with forest and have a more laid back and less developed atmosphere than the beaches on the Pacific side.

Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ilha Grande is not a hiking destination.

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for hiking. The hike through nearby Cahuita National Park is a highlight for many visitors. It wanders along the coastline and takes about three hours to walk. You'll likely see some wildlife during your walk.

Ilha Grande is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Puerto Viejo. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo are somewhat similar when it comes to the good scenery.

Ilha Grande is a beautiful place to visit, too. The secluded beaches and surrounding nature make this a beautiful island to explore. It's made up of a national park and there are hiking trails and many scenic spots.

Puerto Viejo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ilha Grande is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Puerto Viejo is very family-friendly. With its easy access to Cahuita National Park and many wildlife experiences, this is a great destination for the kids. Kids can see sloths and monkeys, or enjoy snorkeling and hanging out on a chill beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ilha Grande. Most families who visit the island come for the beaches. There are also many nice hikes, waterfalls, and even wildlife that the kids will enjoy. In the village there are a few restaurants. Many aren't geared specifically to kids, but they do have a selection that kids might enjoy.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo make for a great place to visit.

Ilha Grande makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Scenic beaches and beautiful nature make this a wonderful couples retreat that's not far from Rio de Janeiro. The beaches have a more relaxed and quiet vibe than many places in Brazil and the island still holds on to its undiscovered atmosphere.

Couples visit Puerto Viejo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, which has a more laid back and less touristy atmosphere. While you won't find the larger resorts and tourist amenities in this area, couples who enjoy hiking and a local vibe will love their time here.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo are both great destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Ilha Grande. It is possible to reach the island with a backpacker's budget, but it will take you more time than if you hire a private tour. Once you're on the island there are some hostels and budget hotels to choose from as well.

Puerto Viejo is a very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. There's a local atmosphere and enough hostels and budget accommodation to keep backpackers happy. It's also easy to explore and makes the perfect place to chill out for a few days.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Puerto Viejo has some public transit options. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Ilha Grande. You'll need to take a boat to reach the island, and once you're there, there are not vehicles around.

Is Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo are great when it comes to walkability.

Ilha Grande is a very walkable . There are no cars on the island and very few roads. You'll spend a lot of time hiking around, which is the best way to enjoy the island. They don't call it "big island" for no reason though, so make sure you understand the distance between destinations.

Puerto Viejo is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Ilha Grande?

How long in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ilha Grande than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Ilha Grande, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Ilha Grande. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Puerto Viejo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Ilha Grande. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Puerto Viejo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Ilha Grande if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Puerto Viejo.

One day in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5163

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5302
In Ilha Grande, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food that this offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Puerto Viejo. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5163

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5302
Ilha Grande is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the laid back destination of Puerto Viejo. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5163

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5302
You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the destination of Ilha Grande. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

The mellow town of Puerto Viejo offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Ilha Grande or Puerto Viejo?

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5163

Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/include/template/templategenerator.php on line 5302
Ilha Grande is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Puerto Viejo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in 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 Ilha Grande and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Ilha Grande much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande.

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