A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Liberia vs. Puerto Viejo for Hiking, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

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.

Liberia

Liberia is a fascinating, accessible, and colonial city. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Liberia travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

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 gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Liberia and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Puerto Viejo than Liberia, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Puerto Viejo is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Liberia is more popular for its hiking. Liberia is well known for its "cowboy" culture as well as its proximity to some of Costa Rica's best national parks, beaches, and rainforests. Puerto Viejo is well known for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood. Also, Puerto Viejo is famous for .

How is Liberia different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo and Liberia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo is a moderate town for its sights and museums. However, Liberia does not have museums and landmarks.

Puerto Viejo offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

Liberia does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Liberia or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Liberia is a mediocre city for its restaurants.

Puerto Viejo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Liberia. The city has a number of traditional restaurants where you can find the ubiquitous Costa Rican dishes like gallo pinto and casado.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Viejo is notable for nightlife. However, Liberia is a mediocre city for nightlife and partying.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Liberia. If you're in town for the night, you should have no problem finding a bar to hang out at.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Liberia 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.

Liberia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Puerto Viejo is notable for its beaches. However, Liberia 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.

Liberia is not a beach destination.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Liberia is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many people visit Liberia specifically for its hiking. Head to the nearby Rincon de la Vieja National Park for some of the country's best hiking. You'll see stunning waterfalls and hopefully catch a glimpse of local wildlife.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for shopping. However, Liberia is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for shopping. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Liberia is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Liberia is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Liberia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Puerto Viejo is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Liberia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Puerto Viejo is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Liberia is a family-friendly city. This city is often used as a base for exploring the nearby Rincon De La Vieja National Park. Kids love the hikes, waterfalls, and wildlife that you see in the area.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Puerto Viejo is notable for romance. Also, Liberia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Liberia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking through rainforests, seeing splendid waterfalls, and checking out the local wildlife will enjoy a visit to Rincon De La Vieja National Park near town.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Liberia and Puerto Viejo are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Liberia. Like much of Costa Rica, this city is an easy backpacker destination with affordable accommodation and unique places to explore.

Many 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.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Students?

Liberia is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Puerto Viejo is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Liberia. As the capital of the Guanacaste province, many students use this city as a base to explore the nearby parks. You'll find study abroad groups as well as researchers and Phd students in the area.

Puerto Viejo is not popular with students.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Liberia is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Liberia offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a comprehensive bus system that travels throughout the city and is used by many people.

You'll find some public transit in Puerto Viejo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Is Liberia or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Liberia and Puerto Viejo both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Liberia is very walkable.

Puerto Viejo is a very walkable city. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Liberia Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Viejo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Liberia?

How long in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Liberia and Puerto Viejo. In our opinion, Puerto Viejo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Puerto Viejo than Liberia. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Liberia, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Liberia. 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 Puerto Viejo than Liberia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Puerto Viejo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Liberia 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.

One day in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

In Liberia, many people enjoy the that this fascinating city offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Puerto Viejo, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

Liberia is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the hiking. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Puerto Viejo, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Puerto Viejo has to offer.

Five days in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

You'll find around the colonial destination of Liberia. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Puerto Viejo is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Liberia or Puerto Viejo?

Liberia 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Viejo. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Puerto Viejo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

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.

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 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).

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. 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. 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).

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.

November to January in Puerto Viejo is the rainy season. 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).

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).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Liberia