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

Should you visit Kingston or Puerto Viejo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Puerto Viejo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Kingston or Puerto Viejo?

Kingston

Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.

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

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Puerto Viejo. Kingston 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. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 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 Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

Kingston is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Kingston or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston 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. It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 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 Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Kingston or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston 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. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Kingston or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston 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, Kingston usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kingston is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Kingston