Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Pereira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pereira or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pereira and Puerto Viejo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Pereira or Puerto Viejo?
Pereira
Situated in a small valley in the western Andes, Pereira is the capital city of Risaralda, Colombia. The city is surrounded by coffee producing agriculture and sits in the middle of a triangle of cities including Bogota, Medillin and Cali, each of which is about a three to five hour drive away.
The city itself is very much student oriented, as there are many universities around town and at least one quarter of the population is made up of students. There is also a very European vibe to the city and you will find the area beautiful with many parks and museums.
Pereira's economy is based on government, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, trade, commerce, and tourism. Agricultural products include sugarcane, cacao, rubber, cereals, coffee, and livestock. Apparel is the main manufacturing product, along with aluminium goods, motorcycles and telecommunications technology.
Pereira is found in a warm moorland area with an average temperature of around 72 degrees. The temperatures remain relatively consistent throughout the year with highs in the high 70s Fahrenheit to low 80s Fahrenheit. Low temperatures are usually in the low 60s Fahrenheit. Rain is heaviest during the months of April and May as well as October and November.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Pereira Prices
Colombia PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPereira $81Puerto Viejo $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Pereira is $81, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $169. 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 Pereira and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPereira $26Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPereira $52Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Pereira and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Pereira 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: Pereira Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pereira $20Puerto Viejo $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pereira
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Pereira are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pereira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pereira:
- PEREIRA/ARMENIA: FULLDAY TRANSFER SALENTO+ FILANDIA + COCORA VALLEY: $144
- One way transfer Pereira to Santa Rosa Hot Springs: $88
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer: Matecaña Intl Airport: $41
- Manizales Arrival or Departure Transfer La Nubia Airport: $20
- Arrival or Departure Transfer Matecaña International Airport: $11
- Arrival or Departure Transfer El Éden International Airport: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport to Puerto Viejo Limon: $320
Is it cheaper to fly into Pereira or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Pereira 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 dayPereira $40Puerto Viejo $58
Typical Food Prices in Pereira
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pereira:
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Hamburger$1.66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pereira $18Puerto Viejo $78
Tours and Activities in Pereira
Here are a few actual costs in Pereira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cocora Valley: Salento & Private Horseback Riding Tour: $162
- Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour: $89
- Coffee Farm and Santa Rosa Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $149
- Eco-Park Recinto del Pensamiento Tour: $84
- Explore Colombia’s Magic Destination on this 10-Day Tour: $2,700
- Full-Day Private Coffee Tour in Cocora Valley and Salento: $219
- Manizales City Tour with Cable Car and Chipre Viewpoint : $87
- PRIVATE TOUR OF MAIN SQUARES, HISTORICAL SITES + LOOKOUT POINT: $56
- Private Tour to Salento and Cocora Valley from Pereira or Armenia: $131
- Private Tour to the Coffee Park from Pereira or Armenia: $115
- Salento and Cócora Tour plus Coffee Farm from Pereira or Armenia: $158
- Salento, Cócora and Hot Springs Tour from Pereira or Armenia: $202
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Canoe Adventure & Caribbean Family Experience: $47
- Puerto Viejo Limón: Birdwatching Tour at Nativo Park: $50
- Wildlife Night Tour in the Jungle: $55
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $58
- Indigenous Experience & Chocolate Tour: $74
- Puerto Viejo Limón: Best Canopy Tour / Ziplines: $83
- Night Adventure in the Wild Talamanca: $85
- Dolphin Watching & Netflix Featured Organic Jungle Farm Tour: $88
- Epic Manzanillo Combo Tour: Snorkel, Dolphins & Farm Tour: $119
- Puerto Viejo&Cahuita: Tour of 3 Waterfalls, Talamanca, Limón: $149
- Puerto Viejo Talamanca: Quad Tour with 2 Waterfalls: $310
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPereira $14Puerto Viejo $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pereira and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Pereira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pereira 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 Pereira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pereira 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 Pereira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pereira 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.