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

Should you visit Mandeville or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Mandeville 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: Mandeville or Puerto Viejo?

Mandeville

Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in 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 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 Mandeville and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Mandeville.

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

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Mandeville or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville 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. In July, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Mandeville or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Mandeville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville 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 Mandeville. Mandeville usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Mandeville or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Mandeville is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Mandeville or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Puerto Viejo. Mandeville 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. Mandeville usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the spring, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Mandeville