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

Should you visit Merida or Puerto Viejo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Puerto Viejo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Merida or Puerto Viejo?

Merida

Merida is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. It is also the capital of the state of Yucatan as a whole. There is a population of 750,000 and is very rich in diversity and culture.

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

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

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

Merida 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 Merida or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Merida for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Merida is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Merida gets 254 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. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Merida during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Merida because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In the autumn, Merida is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Merida. In the autumn, Merida often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Merida gets 233 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 Merida. Merida usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Puerto Viejo. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Puerto Viejo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Merida is generally cooler than Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Merida gets 209 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 January, Merida usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Merida as well as Puerto Viejo. Many travelers come to Merida for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Merida is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the spring, Merida often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Merida receives a lot of rain in the spring. Merida usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 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 Merida