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

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Mar del Plata and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Puerto Viejo?

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.

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 Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, 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 Mar del Plata and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata.

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

When is the best time to visit Mar del Plata or Puerto Viejo?

Mar del Plata 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 Mar del Plata or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than Puerto Viejoin July. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 20°C (69°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Mar del Plata, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mar del Plata usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Mar del Plata is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the winter 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 winter, Mar del Plata is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mar del Plata in July average around 9°C (47°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In July, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Mar del Plata during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In October, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Puerto Viejoin April. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 13°C (56°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejoin April. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 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 Mar del Plata