A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Leon vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Leon or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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: Leon or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

Leon

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.

With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Situated in the Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiminez has grown from a logging and gold mining town in the 1960s to become the largest town on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Today, it serves as a main gateway to Corcovado National Park, a last stopping point before visitors enter the park. Puerto Jiminez also has a lively night life, a beach, and easy access to a number of outdoors activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Leon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Leon Prices
    Nicaragua Prices
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Prices
    Costa Rica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Leon $68
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $140

The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $68, while the average daily cost in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is $140. 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 Leon and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leon $16
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leon $32
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $98
Compare Hotels in Leon and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Looking for a hotel in Leon or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)? 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.

Hotels in Leon


Hotels in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leon $1.50
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leon:

  • From Granada: One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $39
  • San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
  • From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
  • One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Leon 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Leon $21
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.

  • Tlakualli Food Tour: $25
  • Cooking Workshop in Nicaragua: $25
  • Nicaraguan Food Cooking Workshop & Market Tour: $40
  • Cooking Class Private Tour: $55
  • Nicaraguan Cooking Class with a Local Family at Leon City: $60
  • Leon City: Cooking Class: $60

Typical Food Prices in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:


  • Dinner at Finca Exotica
    $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leon $5.80
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $119

Tours and Activities in Leon

Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Leon city: Walking tour by our landmarks.: $15
  • Leon Colonial City Tour: $39
  • Colonial City Tour: $39
  • Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
  • Half Day Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $49
  • Volcano Board Adventure on Cerro Negro: $65
  • Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
  • La Camellada Tour, Hiking and Swimming: $70
  • Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
  • Volcano Sandboarding Private Experience in Leon: $89
  • Momotombo Volcano Tour with Local Guide: $90
  • Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92

Tours and Activities in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:

  • Gold Panning Private Adventure in Puerto Jimenez: $35
  • Puerto Jimenez Birdwatching Tour Osa Peninsula Golfo Dulce: $60
  • Kayak experience on Playa Blanca in Puerto Jiménez: $65
  • Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour: $67
  • Corcovado La Leona Day Tour from Puerto Jimenez - All Inclusive: $120
  • Isla del Caño snorkel tour from Drake Bay (Cano island) : $125
  • Sirena Day Tour - Corcovado NP All Inclusive from Puerto Jimenez: $145
  • One Day Tour To Caño Island From Drake Bay: $145
  • Corcovado National Park - Day Tour from Drake Bay: $145
  • 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Osa Jungle : $163
  • Corcovado National Park - Private Siren Day Tour: $190
  • Scuba Diving Tour at Cano Island (Isla del Caño) from Drake Bay: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leon $3.52
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), we can see that Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) than you might in Leon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Expensive?.