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

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo?

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.

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 Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, 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 Playa del Carmen and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.

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

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo?

Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Puerto Viejo. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In January, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Playa del Carmen