Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Montevideo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montevideo or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and Puerto Viejo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montevideo or Puerto Viejo?
Montevideo
As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontevideo $63Puerto Viejo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $145. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Montevideo and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontevideo $39Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontevideo $78Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Puerto Viejo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montevideo $7.32Puerto Viejo $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo
Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
- Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $12
- TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
- Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
- Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer - Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Punta Del Este Port: $85
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
- Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Montevideo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMontevideo $13Puerto Viejo $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo
For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
- El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montevideo $21Puerto Viejo $78
Tours and Activities in Montevideo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.
- Colonia del Sacramento - Regular Tour: $65
- Private Tour to Tourist Places in Montevideo: $260
- Best Private & Personalized Tour of Montevideo: $200
- Best Private Montevideo Shore Excursion: City Tour. Optional WineTasting Tour.: $165
- Best Private Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $250
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers: $110
- Best Shared Tour of Montevideo for Cruise Passengers : $110
- Best custom Montevideo Private Tour in Electric SUV! (BMW Option): $120
- City Tour of Montevideo: $40
- City Tour, the best option for small groups: $160
- Discover Mix of Sightseeing & City Attractions!: $140
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $950
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontevideo -Puerto Viejo $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:
- Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
- Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
- Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
- Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montevideo or Puerto Viejo?
Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montevideo is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Montevideo gets 296 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, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMontevideo 24°C (75°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.
In the autumn, Montevideo is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montevideo in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in October.
In the autumn, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejoin October. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Montevideo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montevideo usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?
Both Puerto Viejo and Montevideo 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 July, Montevideo is generally much colder than Puerto Viejoin January. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In July, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMontevideo 11°C (52°F)Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Montevideo or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?
Both Puerto Viejo and Montevideo during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.
Montevideo is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Montevideo. In the spring, Montevideo often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin April. Montevideo gets 248 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMontevideo 17°C (63°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Montevideo
| Montevideo | Puerto Viejo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.