Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Punta Cana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Punta Cana or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Cana 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: Punta Cana or Puerto Viejo?
Punta Cana
Punta Cana, located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. This Caribbean paradise offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all types of travelers, whether you're on a tight budget, seeking thrilling activities, exploring local cuisine, or figuring out the best ways to get around.
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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Punta Cana Prices
Dominican Republic PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Cana $181Puerto Viejo $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $181, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $189. 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 Punta Cana and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Cana $101Puerto Viejo $79
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Cana $202Puerto Viejo $158
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana 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: Punta Cana Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Cana $6.79Puerto Viejo $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:
- private transfer standard and premium punta cana airport to puerto plata: $265
- private transfer standard and premium airport punta cana to hotels pta cana: $25
- YC VIP Transfers: $50
- Vip Private Transfer to Punta Cana from Santo Domingo: $153
- VIP Transfers PUJ Airport to Bavaro and Punta Cana Hotels: $65
- VIP Transfer from Punta Cana Airport to Punta Cana / Bavaro Hotel: $67
- VIP Transfer Santo Domingo Las Americas Airport to Punta Cana: $153
- VIP Transfer Punta Cana Airport to Punta Cana & Bavaro Hotels (Not Uvero Alto): $70
- VIP Suburban Transfer from Punta Cana Airport to Bavaro Hotels: $130
- VIP SUV Suburbans Transfer Punta Cana Airport & Hotels: $48
- VIP SUV Airport Transfer From or To Uvero Alto: $45
- VIP Private Transfers from Punta Cana Airport to Uvero Alto: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Punta Cana 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPunta Cana $68Puerto Viejo $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $139
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $139
- Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $145
- Dinner in the Sky Experience in Punta Cana: $149
- Night Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim & Dinner Combo: $190
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $294
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Cana $32Puerto Viejo $87
Typical Entertainment Prices in Punta Cana
Here are a few typical costs in Punta Cana for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Dune Buggy Adventure$54
Tours and Activities in Punta Cana
Here are a few actual costs in Punta Cana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 ADVENTURES: Sailing Catamaran Cruise - Hooka Diving - Snorkeling: $105
- 3 Hour Punta Cana Outdoor Adventure: $65
- 3 Hours Half Day Tour Buggy Macao Beach cenote Hotel Pickup: $34
- 3 Hours Panoramic Tour in Punta Cana with Artisan Market: $35
- 3-Day Ultimate Dominican Adventure: Nature, Culture & History: $190
- 3-Hour Extreme Buggy Tour of Punta Cana: $45
- 4 Hour ATV and Horseback Adventure in Punta Cana: $125
- 4 Hour Buggys Adventure Tour in Punta Cana: $50
- 4 Hour Punta Cana Fishing Tour: $97
- 4 Hour Speed Experience in Punta Cana: $80
- 4 Hours Tour in Round Mountain and Macao Beach From Uvero Alto: $150
- 4-Hour ATV and Horseback Adventure from Bávaro: $100
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $50
- Chocolate Experience by Bribri Indigenous Culture: $65
- Gandoca-Manzanillo Hike Tour with Dolphin Watching: $125
- Canyoning Adventure in the Costa Rican Jungle: $257
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Cana $11Puerto Viejo $15
When comparing the travel costs between Punta Cana and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Punta Cana is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta Cana 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.