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

Should you visit Saint Croix or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Saint Croix 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: Saint Croix or Puerto Viejo?

Saint Croix

Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.

This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.

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 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 Saint Croix and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands 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 Puerto Viejo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Viejo 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 Saint Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Puerto Viejo.

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

When is the best time to visit Saint Croix or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Saint Croix or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Saint Croix during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Croix usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Saint Croix gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Saint Croix is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Croix in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Saint Croix or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Croix and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint Croix usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Saint Croix gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Saint Croix is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Saint Croix or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Croix as well as Puerto Viejo. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Saint Croix usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Saint Croix gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Saint Croix is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Saint Croix or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Saint Croix are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Saint Croix usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Saint Croix gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Saint Croix is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Croix in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Saint Croix