Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Roatan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Roatan or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Roatan and Puerto Viejo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Roatan or Puerto Viejo?
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
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 Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRoatan $38Puerto Viejo $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $38, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $140. 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 Roatan and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRoatan $11Puerto Viejo $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRoatan $22Puerto Viejo $138
Compare Hotels in Roatan and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Roatan 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: Roatan Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Roatan $19Puerto Viejo $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$4.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- West Bay Aquarium Snorkeling, Beach, Zipline, City Tour & Transfer: $140
- Scuba Dive in the West End of Roatan with Private Transfer: $125
- Roatan Private Sloths, Monkeys, Birds Encounters, City Tour and Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $144
- Parasailing, Beach Break, Chocolate Factory with Transfer: $155
- North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
- Mayan Eden Eco Wildlife Park, City Tour & Private Transfer: $67
- Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer: $65
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, Hiking, Beach Break plus Transfer Included: $130
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Roatan or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Roatan 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
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Food Meals for one dayRoatan $9.40Puerto Viejo $32
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Roatan $27Puerto Viejo $76
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Chocolate Factory Rum cake Factory, Sightseeing and Beach Tour: $45
- Shore Excursion: VIP Island City Tour and Drift Snorkel : $60
- Shore Excursion: Zip & Dip Adventure: $69
- 2 Tank Roatan Fun Dive, Boat Sightseeing Tour, including ground transportation: $145
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Roatan Island: $65
- ATV Adventure on the East End of Roatan: $135
- ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $99
- ATV park tour: $125
- ATV tour With Lunch all inclusive : $99
- Best of ATV Adventure or BUGGY BLAST: $90
- Catamaran Cruise, Open Bar, Food and Snorkeling: $165
- Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $175
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- San Jose: Rainforest Chocolate Tour with Hanging Bridge: $235
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRoatan $7.05Puerto Viejo $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roatan and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roatan 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.