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

Should you visit Manaus or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Viejo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Manaus or Puerto Viejo?

Manaus

Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, 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 Manaus and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manaus is in South 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 Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.

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

When is the best time to visit Manaus or Puerto Viejo?

Manaus 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 Manaus or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Manaus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Manaus is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manaus in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

Manaus usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Manaus gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Manaus. In January, Manaus usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Manaus gets 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Manaus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In April, Manaus is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin October. Daily temperatures in Manaus average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the autumn, Manaus often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejoin October. Manaus gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. Manaus usually gets more rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Manaus gets 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manaus and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Manaus is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Manaus averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

In Manaus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Manaus usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Manaus gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Manaus usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Manaus gets 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manaus or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manaus as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In the spring, Manaus is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manaus in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

In the spring, Manaus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejoin April. Manaus gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Manaus receives a lot of rain in the spring. Manaus usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Manaus gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Manaus