Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Liberia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Liberia or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Liberia 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.
Where Should I go: Liberia or Puerto Viejo?
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLiberia $112Puerto Viejo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Liberia is $112, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $145. 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 Liberia and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLiberia $60Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLiberia $120Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Liberia Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Liberia $43Puerto Viejo $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Transfers from Liberia Airport: $60
- Transfer from Playa Hermosa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playas del Coco Guanacaste: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $91
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to El Mangroove Hotel: $85
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $149
- Transfer from El Mangroove Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $94
- Transfer from Bosque del Mar Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- Transfer Riu Palace and Guanacaste Round-Trip: $160
- Transfer Liberia Airport to Planet Hollywood or Andaz Papagayo, ROUND TRIP.: $176
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Liberia 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
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Food Meals for one dayLiberia $21Puerto Viejo $33
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Liberia $25Puerto Viejo $78
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Birdwatching Experience private tour : $275
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
- 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
- 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLiberia $13Puerto Viejo $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Liberia and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Liberia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Liberia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Liberia 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 Liberia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Liberia Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Liberia 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 Liberia or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?
Both Puerto Viejo and Liberia during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. Liberia usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Liberia 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, Liberia often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Liberia gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.
In July, Liberia is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLiberia 28°C (82°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Liberia and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Liberia usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejo. Liberia gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Liberia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo during autumn. Liberia gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Liberia is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLiberia 27°C (81°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Liberia as well as Puerto Viejo. Liberia 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. Liberia usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Liberia 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 Liberia this time of the year. In the winter, Liberia often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Liberia gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Liberia is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Liberia in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLiberia 27°C (81°F)Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Liberia or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?
Both Puerto Viejo and Liberia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia 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 Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Liberia usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Liberia 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 Liberia. Liberia usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Liberia gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Liberia is generally a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 29°C (85°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLiberia 29°C (85°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Liberia
| Liberia | 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) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.