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

Should you visit Saint John 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 Saint John 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: Saint John or Puerto Viejo?

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

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 John and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John 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 John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 John Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint John 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 John or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Puerto Viejo. Saint John 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 John usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Saint John 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 July, Saint John is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

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

Both Puerto Viejo and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John 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. It's quite rainy in Saint John. In October, Saint John usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Saint John is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

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

Both Puerto Viejo and Saint John during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John 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 John usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Saint John is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F).

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

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

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Saint John usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Saint John 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 April, Saint John is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Saint John