Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or La Fortuna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for La Fortuna 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.
La Fortuna is a popular, stunning, and scenic town. With stunning beauty, La Fortuna attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, nightlife, and food. See La Fortuna travel costs.
Puerto Viejo is a laid back, relaxed, and mellow town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Puerto Viejo is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.
Tourists will generally find more to do in La Fortuna. Although La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo are both popular with visitors, La Fortuna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Fortuna is more popular for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Puerto Viejo is known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and small town charm. La Fortuna is more touristy than Puerto Viejo and is popular for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. It is also home to Arenal Volcano. Puerto Viejo is popular for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the decent sights and museums in both La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo.
La Fortuna offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people spend their time outdoors exploring the area, but there are also some museums that highlight local art and culture.
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.
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in La Fortuna. It's a touristy mecca, and there are a number of decent restaurants around town. The area has some of the freshest local ingredients and the food reflects that. You'll find restaurants both in the center of town and along the road between the town and the hot springs.
Puerto Viejo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!
Puerto Viejo is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.
Puerto Viejo has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Fortuna. The larger resorts usually have a couple of bars onsite. There are also local bars and pubs throughout the town. While things often quiet down by 9:00, you will probably be able to find a laid back place to enjoy a drink with friends.
La Fortuna is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, La Fortuna is a perfect choice. There are many larger international resorts in the area. Many offer spectacular views, spas, and beautifully maintained pools that take advantage of the area's hot springs.
Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.
Puerto Viejo is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Fortuna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Puerto Viejo. 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.
La Fortuna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Puerto Viejo is notable for the beach. However, La Fortuna is not a beach destination.
Many people visit Puerto Viejo for it's beautiful beaches. 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.
La Fortuna is not a beach destination.
La Fortuna is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting La Fortuna. The area is filled with stunning hikes that take you through different landscapes and ecosystems. You'll likely see some wildlife, visit spectacular waterfalls, and, of course, catch views of the impressive Arenal Volcano.
Puerto Viejo has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.
Puerto Viejo is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, La Fortuna is a mediocre town for its shopping areas.
Puerto Viejo offers some nice shopping areas. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.
La Fortuna has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find a couple of good souvenir shops around town where you can pick up some locally made items.
La Fortuna is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.
With stunning beauty, La Fortuna attracts visitors from all around. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, lush rainforests, and dramatic views of the volcano. There are countless hikes and a plenty of opportunities to soak up the natural setting.
Puerto Viejo is a gorgeous place to visit. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.
Both La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo are high quality family-friendly destinations.
La Fortuna is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will love exploring the outdoors and seeing some of Costa Rica's best environments. There are plenty of hiking trails, but if you're looking for short and simple, head to Ecocentro Danaus, which has a half mile flat walking loop and a butterfly garden. Another good option is Bogarin Trail, where you might see a sloth. And of course you have to check out Arenal Volcano National Park.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Puerto Viejo. 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.
La Fortuna is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
For those traveling as a couple, La Fortuna has plenty to offer. There are amazing resorts and spas in the area that make for a truly luxurious and romantic holiday. Many couples visit for their honeymoon, and whether you enjoy exploring nature or pampering yourself in a five star setting, there really is something for everyone.
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.
Both La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo are high quality destinations for backpackers.
La Fortuna is a great town to visit for backpackers. As one of the top places to visit in Costa Rica, this town has a number of hostels that cater to the backpacker crowds.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Puerto Viejo. 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.
Both La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo offer good public transit options.
La Fortuna has a few public transit options. There are public buses throughout the area as well as private transportation services, taxis, and car sharing.
Puerto Viejo has some public transit options. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.
Puerto Viejo is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, La Fortuna is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.
Puerto Viejo is a very walkable town. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.
La Fortuna is a somewhat walkable town. While the town itself is very walkable, many of the area's attractions can only be reached by car.
For even more information, also check out Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Viejo Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in La Fortuna than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Fortuna, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.
Families should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than La Fortuna. 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 La Fortuna than Puerto Viejo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Fortuna that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than La Fortuna 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.
In La Fortuna, many people enjoy the food and nightlife that this scenic town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.
With shopping and nightlife around the authentic town of Puerto Viejo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
La Fortuna is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Puerto Viejo, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.
You'll find food and nightlife around the scenic destination of La Fortuna. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.
Puerto Viejo, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
La Fortuna is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.
Puerto Viejo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Costa Rica, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Costa Rica.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in La Fortuna is $125, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $171. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna or Puerto Viejo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Fortuna:
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Fortuna.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Fortuna are as follows:
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is La Fortuna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Fortuna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Fortuna 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 La Fortuna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Fortuna Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
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.
Both Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to La Fortuna because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.
September to October is the dry season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, La Fortuna often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.
In the summer, La Fortuna is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Fortuna in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Fortuna and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to La Fortuna year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in La Fortuna is the dry season. May to November is the hurricane season in La Fortuna. September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. Also, November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. La Fortuna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, La Fortuna usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
La Fortuna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo during autumn. La Fortuna gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, La Fortuna is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in La Fortuna average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The winter brings many poeple to La Fortuna as well as Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.
November to January in Puerto Viejo is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna gets 8 mm (0.3 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 La Fortuna this time of the year. In the winter, La Fortuna often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.
La Fortuna is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in La Fortuna averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Both Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to La Fortuna 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 La Fortuna is December to April. May to November in La Fortuna is the hurricane season. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, La Fortuna usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. La Fortuna gets 28 mm (1.1 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 La Fortuna. La Fortuna usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. La Fortuna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, La Fortuna is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Fortuna in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).
La Fortuna | Puerto Viejo | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |