A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) vs. Puerto Viejo for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Hiking

Should you visit Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is a remote, local, and authentic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a laid back, relaxed, and mellow town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Puerto Viejo is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Puerto Viejo than Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Puerto Viejo is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping, while Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is well known for its fishing and wildlife. Puerto Viejo is well known for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood. Also, Puerto Viejo is famous for .

How is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo is a moderate town for its sights and museums. However, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is not a good town for its museums and history.

Puerto Viejo offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). People visit the town for the nearby national park, so you won't find much in the form of museums.

Is the Food Better in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many places have local Costa Rican dishes, but you'll also find pizza joints and the occasional cafe as well.

Puerto Viejo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Viejo is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is not a good town for nightlife and partying.

Puerto Viejo offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a laid back town during the day and at night there's a chill but lively atmosphere. You'll find a few bars and clubs that have live music, and it's not hard to find something interesting to do.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). There are a few bars on the town's main street, but most visitors don't come to town for the nightlife.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). You'll find nice snorkeling with calm waters and you might even see dolphins.

Puerto Viejo has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You'll find the best snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, where you'll see coral and colorful fish. There's a dive shop in town as well, but most people enjoy the snorkeling in the area more.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo are very good choices for a beach vacation.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Near town you'll find wonderful beaches and long stretches of sand bordered by lush rainforests.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Puerto Viejo. The beaches in the area are beautiful and offer great waves for surfing and patches of coral reef for snorkeling. Many of the beaches are lined with forest and have a more laid back and less developed atmosphere than the beaches on the Pacific side.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). Corcovado National Park can be challenging to reach, which is part of what makes it such a wonderful place to explore. The rainforest and wildlife still feels untouched by the tourist crowds and you can lose yourself hiking through the forest.

Puerto Viejo has hiking trails worth exploring. The hike through nearby Cahuita National Park is a highlight for many visitors. It wanders along the coastline and takes about three hours to walk. You'll likely see some wildlife during your walk.

Is the Shopping Better in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo is very good for shopping. However, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is not a good town for its shopping opportunities.

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for shopping. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

If you're looking to go shopping, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) has some nice offerings. It's a small local town so you won't find many shopping options that cater to tourists.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) attracts visitors from all around. The beaches, wildlife, and rainforests make this a unique and beautiful place to visit.

Puerto Viejo is a gorgeous place to visit. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the beaches, kayaking, surfing, wildlife, hiking, and swimming. There really is something for the whole family to enjoy.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Puerto Viejo is very family-friendly. With its easy access to Cahuita National Park and many wildlife experiences, this is a great destination for the kids. Kids can see sloths and monkeys, or enjoy snorkeling and hanging out on a chill beach.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will love the stunning nature and wildlife that nearby Corcovado National Park offers. There are also many great beaches where you can take a stroll or go kayaking.

Puerto Viejo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, which has a more laid back and less touristy atmosphere. While you won't find the larger resorts and tourist amenities in this area, couples who enjoy hiking and a local vibe will love their time here.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo are very good destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). It's become a popular backpacker destination because there are a number of hostels nearby.

Many backpackers visit Puerto Viejo. There's a local atmosphere and enough hostels and budget accommodation to keep backpackers happy. It's also easy to explore and makes the perfect place to chill out for a few days.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo offer notable public transit options.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) has a few public transit options. Many visitors take the colectivo taxi, which is a flatbed truck that is more affordable than private taxis.

Puerto Viejo has some public transit options. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo both are very good when exploring on foot.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is very walkable. The town is relatively easy to walk around.

Puerto Viejo is a very walkable town. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Viejo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

How long in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

Couples should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Puerto Viejo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Puerto Viejo.

One day in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

In Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food that this remote town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Puerto Viejo, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this laid back destination offers. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

In Puerto Viejo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this town offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Puerto Viejo has to offer.

Five days in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the authentic destination of Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park). Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Puerto Viejo is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) or Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Puerto Viejo is a great place to explore. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park).

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