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

Should you visit Salto or Puerto Viejo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Puerto Viejo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Salto or Puerto Viejo?

Salto

Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.

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 Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, 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 Salto and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salto is in South America 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 Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Salto.

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

When is the best time to visit Salto or Puerto Viejo?

Salto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Puerto Viejo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Salto or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salto as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Salto is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salto this time of the year. In the summer, Salto often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin July. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Salto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salto usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejoin July. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salto or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Salto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Salto is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salto in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in October.

Salto usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Salto. In April, Salto usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin October. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salto or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Salto during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In July, Salto is generally much colder than Puerto Viejoin January. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 12°C (54°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In the winter, Salto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejoin January. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Salto usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejoin January. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salto or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Salto is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.

In Salto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salto usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Salto gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Salto usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin April. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Salto