A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Port-of-Spain vs. Puerto Viejo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain 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: Port-of-Spain or Puerto Viejo?

Port-of-Spain

Located on the northwest coast of Trinidad island, Port of Spain is the capital of the Caribbean island nation Trinidad & Tobago. It is a hub of activity, especially during the celebration of Carnival for which the island nation is famous.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Port-of-Spain and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Port-of-Spain is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Port-of-Spain is in Caribbean Islands 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 Puerto Viejo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Viejo 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 Port-of-Spain would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Port-of-Spain than you might in Puerto Viejo.

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

When is the best time to visit Port-of-Spain or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Port-of-Spain as well as Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain receives a lot of rain in the summer. Port-of-Spain usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port-of-Spain this time of the year. In the summer, Port-of-Spain often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

Port-of-Spain is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Port-of-Spain averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Port-of-Spain are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Port-of-Spain throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Port-of-Spain. In October, Port-of-Spain usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port-of-Spain. Port-of-Spain usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Port-of-Spain gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Port-of-Spain is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Port-of-Spain in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Port-of-Spain during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Port-of-Spain because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Port-of-Spain usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Port-of-Spain. In the winter, Port-of-Spain often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In January, Port-of-Spain is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Port-of-Spain average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Port-of-Spain or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Port-of-Spain and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Port-of-Spain year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Port-of-Spain usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Port-of-Spain gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In Port-of-Spain, it's very sunny this time of the year. Port-of-Spain usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Port-of-Spain gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Port-of-Spain is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Port-of-Spain averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Port-of-Spain