Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Roatan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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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Roatan Prices
Honduras PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRoatan $44Puerto Viejo $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $44, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $170. 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 $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRoatan $22Puerto Viejo $144
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 $18Puerto Viejo $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$4.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- West Bay Aquarium Snorkeling, Chocolate & Rum Factory, City Tour plus Transfer: $91
- Transfers, Zip Line and Monkey Park: $150
- Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
- South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
- Round trip transfers from airport or ferry to hotel: $80
- Roatan to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $56
- Roatan to Honduras Airport (RTB)-Departure Private Transfer: $56
- Roatan Zipline, Monkey, Macaws & Sloths Eco Park, Snorkeling, Transfer: $128
- Roatan Private Catamaran Shipwreck, Blue Channel and Starfish with Transfer: $90
- Roatan Island Buggy Adventure plus Transfer: $217
- North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport to Puerto Viejo Limon: $320
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 $16Puerto Viejo $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Private Roundtrip Transfer to West End for Dinner and Nightlife : $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Roatan $26Puerto Viejo $79
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Bay Islands ATV City Tour and Wildlife Sanctuary Visit: $128
- Jungle Atv Adventure Beach relax chocolate Rum sample: $105
- Snorkeling Adventure chocolate Rum Sample West Bay Beach Break : $75
- 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
- 2 Sites Snorkeling at West Bay Beach with Eco Park Adventure : $135
- 2-Hour Private Off Road ATV and Beach Experience in Bay Islands: $90
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Roatan Island: $65
- ATV Ride and Animals Park Tour Mahogany Bay and Ports Roatan: $135
- ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $132
- Animal Sightings and Walking Tour at Gumbalimba Park with Addons: $90
- Atv Island Tour: $85
- Beer and Food Tasting Experience at Roatan Island Brewing Company: $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:
- Puerto Viejo Limón: Birdwatching Tour at Nativo Park: $50
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $58
- Canoe Adventure and Caribbean Family Experience: $59
- Wildlife Night Tour in the Jungle: $60
- Nocturnal tour in Manzanillo Refuge: $65
- Puerto Viejo&Cahuita: Tour of 3 Waterfalls, Talamanca, Limón: $149
- Puerto Viejo Talamanca: Quad Tour with 2 Waterfalls: $258
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRoatan $6.81Puerto Viejo $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
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.