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

Should you visit Leon 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 Leon 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: Leon or Puerto Viejo?

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 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 Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, 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 Leon and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo 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 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 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 Viejo Expensive?.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Leon as well as Puerto Viejo. Leon 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. Leon receives a lot of rain in the summer. Leon usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Leon often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

In July, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Leon or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon 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 Leon. In October, Leon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Viejo. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Leon usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Leon is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Leon or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Leon during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon 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. Leon usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Leon. In the winter, Leon often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Leon is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leon in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Leon or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon 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, Leon usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In Leon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leon usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leon is generally a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 29°C (84°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Leon