Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi 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 Nairobi 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: Nairobi or Puerto Viejo?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Puerto Viejo $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, 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 Nairobi and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Puerto Viejo $79
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Puerto Viejo $158
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Puerto Viejo $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
- Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $54
- Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $200
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer in Nairobi for Pax with Disability: $40
- Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Puerto Viejo $64
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner for Two$5.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Karibu Kitchens Nairobi Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Puerto Viejo $87
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Pure Adrenaline Adventure with Kenyan BBQ Lunch Experience: $200
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
- 1 night small group tour to Hells gate and Mount Longonot: $177
- 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $215
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Chocolate Experience by Bribri Indigenous Culture: $80
- Gandoca-Manzanillo Hike Tour with Dolphin Watching: $125
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Puerto Viejo $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa 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 Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
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.