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

Should you visit Mazatlan or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Mazatlan 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: Mazatlan or Puerto Viejo?

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.

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 Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, 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 Mazatlan and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mazatlan is in North 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 Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan.

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

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

Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mazatlan as well as Puerto Viejo. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In the summer, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Mazatlan gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Mazatlan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Mazatlan gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Mazatlan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mazatlan for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Mazatlan is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Mazatlan average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Mazatlan gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In October, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Mazatlan gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Mazatlan during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mazatlan in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Mazatlan is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Mazatlan averages around 20°C (67°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. In the winter, Mazatlan often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Mazatlan gets 203 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. Mazatlan usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Mazatlan gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mazatlan or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mazatlan and Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches during these months. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Mazatlan is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mazatlan in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mazatlan usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Mazatlan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Mazatlan usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Mazatlan gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Mazatlan