A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Puerto Viejo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador 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.

Salvador

Salvador is a historical, authentic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Salvador travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a mellow, authentic, and laid back town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Puerto Viejo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Salvador and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Salvador. Although Salvador and Puerto Viejo are popular destinations, Salvador has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salvador is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and historical sights, while Puerto Viejo attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Salvador is more touristy than Puerto Viejo and is popular for its West African influence, rich culinary scene, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for São Francisco. Puerto Viejo is famous for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood.

How is Salvador different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo and Salvador. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

Salvador is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Puerto Viejo is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Salvador specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the main sights are found in the historic part of town. In this area you'll find the Museu da Cidade, the Abelardo Rodrigues Museum, and the Casa do Benin. There are many ornate churches as well such as the São Francisco and the Carmelite Church.

Puerto Viejo offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

Is the Food Better in Salvador or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salvador is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Salvador has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has rich African roots that are noticeable in the cuisine around town. Buffets have become popular in restaurants and many places offer a lunch buffet. They range in price and quality and you often pay by the weight. Common dishes include moqueca (seafood stew), vatapá (a type of curry), and acarajé (fried balls of beans and shrimp).

Puerto Viejo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Salvador and Puerto Viejo.

Salvador is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to the old city for a mix of local music and authentic Brazilian activities. Further out, along the stretches of beach, you'll find larger music venues and dance clubs. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed throughout the city and you'll find a very local vibe in many neighborhoods.

Many people head to Puerto Viejo for the nightlife scene. It's a laid back town during the day and at night there's a chill but lively atmosphere. You'll find a few bars and clubs that have live music, and it's not hard to find something interesting to do.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Viejo is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Puerto Viejo has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You'll find the best snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, where you'll see coral and colorful fish. There's a dive shop in town as well, but most people enjoy the snorkeling in the area more.

Salvador is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Both Salvador and Puerto Viejo have excellent beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Salvador. Many of the beaches are sandy with warm water and tidal pools to explore. The most popular beach is Praia Farol da Barra, which can get crowded. North of the city is the more relaxed Praia Farol de Itapuã and if you want to learn to surf, head to Praia da Jaguaribe, which is home to several surfing schools.

The beaches at Puerto Viejo attract visitors from all over. The beaches in the area are beautiful and offer great waves for surfing and patches of coral reef for snorkeling. Many of the beaches are lined with forest and have a more laid back and less developed atmosphere than the beaches on the Pacific side.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for its Old Town?

Salvador is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Puerto Viejo does not have a historic old town.

Salvador has an old town worth visiting. The city served as the first Portuguese capital and today it still has colonial architecture and a historic atmosphere. At the historic heart of the city is the Pelourinho neighborhood, which has nice squares and cobblestone streets.

Puerto Viejo does not have a historic old town.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Puerto Viejo is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Salvador is not a hiking destination.

Puerto Viejo has hiking trails worth exploring. The hike through nearby Cahuita National Park is a highlight for many visitors. It wanders along the coastline and takes about three hours to walk. You'll likely see some wildlife during your walk.

Salvador is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Puerto Viejo and Salvador.

Many visitors go to Salvador to go shopping. There are many local markets and shops around town where you can pick up traditional Brazilian items and artisan crafts.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Puerto Viejo. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Puerto Viejo is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Puerto Viejo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.

Salvador is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Puerto Viejo is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Puerto Viejo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With its easy access to Cahuita National Park and many wildlife experiences, this is a great destination for the kids. Kids can see sloths and monkeys, or enjoy snorkeling and hanging out on a chill beach.

For families, Salvador is not always the best place to visit. It has a reputation for being dangerous, so many families don't plan to spend much time here, but the city has parks, recreational activities like climbing, and a number of kid-friendly museums to explore. There are also many ice cream shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Salvador and Puerto Viejo are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Salvador frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The historical center is charming and the perfect place to explore as a couple. There are also parks around town and many cultural experiences that visitors truly enjoy.

Puerto Viejo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, which has a more laid back and less touristy atmosphere. While you won't find the larger resorts and tourist amenities in this area, couples who enjoy hiking and a local vibe will love their time here.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salvador and Puerto Viejo are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Salvador is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love the historical architecture and the authenticity that this city offers. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Puerto Viejo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's a local atmosphere and enough hostels and budget accommodation to keep backpackers happy. It's also easy to explore and makes the perfect place to chill out for a few days.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Salvador and Puerto Viejo.

You'll find some public transit in Salvador, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town that are divided into two different classes - the common bus and the executive bus.

While Puerto Viejo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Is Salvador or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Puerto Viejo is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Salvador is not particularly known for its walkability.

Puerto Viejo is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.

Salvador is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around town, you should really understand which areas are safe and which parts of town are dangerous. Sometimes the dangerous areas are just a couple of blocks that are surrounded by an otherwise safe neighborhood, so you should really understand where you are before heading out on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Salvador Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Viejo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Salvador?

How long in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salvador and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salvador than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Salvador, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

Families should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Salvador. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Puerto Viejo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

One day in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

In Salvador, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this authentic city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The town of Puerto Viejo offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

Salvador is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Puerto Viejo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Puerto Viejo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Salvador. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Puerto Viejo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salvador or Puerto Viejo?

Salvador is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Puerto Viejo is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, 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 Salvador and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salvador 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 Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Salvador.

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

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

Salvador 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 Salvador or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Salvador for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Salvador is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salvador this time of the year. In the summer, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin July. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejoin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, September to February in Salvador is the dry season. March to August in Salvador is the rainy season. Also, September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season.

Should I visit Salvador or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

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

Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Salvador gets 190 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 Salvador. In April, Salvador usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejoin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October. The rainy season in Puerto Viejo is November to January.

Should I visit Salvador or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Salvador during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salvador this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In July, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejoin January. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In the winter, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin January. Salvador gets 181 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejoin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year. September to February is the dry season in Salvador. March to August is the rainy season in Salvador. November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo.

Should I visit Salvador or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Puerto Viejo. Many travelers come to Salvador for the beaches. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Salvador is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.

In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Salvador gets 228 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. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Salvador usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 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 Salvador