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

Should you visit Montanita or Puerto Viejo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita 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: Montanita or Puerto Viejo?

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Montanita 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 Montanita or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montanita usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Montanita is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Montanita or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Puerto Viejo. Montanita 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. Montanita usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Montanita is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montanita in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Montanita or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita 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 January, Montanita usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Montanita is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Montanita or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Montanita during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita 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. Montanita usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

Montanita is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Montanita