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

Should you visit La Paz or Puerto Viejo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between La Paz and Puerto Viejo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: La Paz or Puerto Viejo?

La Paz

La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.

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 Budget Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, 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 La Paz and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Paz is in North 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 La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz 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 Paz.

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

When is the best time to visit La Paz or Puerto Viejo?

La Paz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Puerto Viejo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and La Paz during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to La Paz in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In the summer, La Paz is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Paz in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the summer, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Paz usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to La Paz for the shopping scene during these months. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, La Paz usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit La Paz or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Puerto Viejo. The winter months attract visitors to La Paz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

La Paz is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 18°C (65°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the winter, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. La Paz usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Paz or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, La Paz is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Paz in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, La Paz usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and La Paz