A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nadi (Port Denarau) vs. Puerto Viejo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nadi (Port Denarau) or Puerto Viejo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nadi (Port Denarau) 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: Nadi (Port Denarau) or Puerto Viejo?

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

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 in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
    Puerto Viejo Prices
    Costa Rica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $200
    Puerto Viejo $189

The average daily cost (per person) in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $200, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $189. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) and Puerto Viejo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $107
    Puerto Viejo $79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $214
    Puerto Viejo $158
Compare Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau) and Puerto Viejo

Looking for a hotel in Nadi (Port Denarau) 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.

Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau)


Hotels in Puerto Viejo


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: Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.87
    Puerto Viejo $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Zip line ex Intercontinental Fiji with return private transfers: $209
  • Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private return transfer: $182
  • Treetops Fiji Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $128
  • Shuttle transfer to Nadi Airport: $49
  • Shared transfer- Nadi Airport to Denarau island Fiji: $91
  • Shared Transfer from Nadi Airport Fiji to Nadi area hotels: $9.13
  • Shared Transfer To Nadi Airport from Denarau Resorts: $9.13
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Hotel to Airport: $20
  • Shangri-La Yanuca Island,Intercontinental Natadola Fiji Transfers: $73
  • Roundtrip Nadi Airport -Sofitel Resort & Spa(Private Transfer]: $28
  • Round-trip Nadi Int Airport - Denarau Hotels (Private Transfer): $27
  • Round Trip Transfer -Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort: $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Nadi (Port Denarau) or Puerto Viejo?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Nadi (Port Denarau) 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $70
    Puerto Viejo $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $33
    Puerto Viejo $87

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • "Coral Coast Adventure: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $118
  • "Half Day Nadi Highlights Tour”: $146
  • 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $164
  • 6 Hours Giant Zipline Adventure Park in Fiji: $91
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka): $100
  • CFC Hot Spring Mud Pool,Garden Of Sleeping Giant And Village Visit Half Day Tour: $105
  • Colo-i-Suva Waterfall Tour (Suva): $91
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $99
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $176
  • Coral Coast Tour Sand Dune to Momi Gunsite History Walk: $196
  • Cultural Night Tour: $84
  • Day Tour Exploration of Fiji Culture and Nature: $230

Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo

For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $50
  • Chocolate Experience by Bribri Indigenous Culture: $65
  • Gandoca-Manzanillo Hike Tour with Dolphin Watching: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11
    Puerto Viejo $15


When comparing the travel costs between Nadi (Port Denarau) and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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