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

Should you visit Pucon 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 Pucon 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: Pucon or Puerto Viejo?

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, 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 Pucon and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Pucon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pucon 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 Pucon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pucon 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 Pucon.

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

When is the best time to visit Pucon or Puerto Viejo?

Pucon 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 Pucon or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pucon as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In January, Pucon is generally much colder than Puerto Viejoin July. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 16°C (61°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pucon this time of the year. In the summer, Pucon often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin July. Pucon gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Pucon usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejoin July. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pucon or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

Pucon is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

Pucon usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Pucon gets 132 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 Pucon. In April, Pucon usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin October. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pucon or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Pucon during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In the winter, Pucon is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pucon in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

In the winter, Pucon often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejoin January. Pucon gets 66 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. Pucon usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Puerto Viejoin January. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pucon or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Pucon is generally much colder than Puerto Viejoin April. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Pucon usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Pucon gets 198 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. Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pucon usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin April. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Pucon