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

Should you visit San Fernando or Puerto Viejo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando 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: San Fernando or Puerto Viejo?

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

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 comparing the travel costs between San Fernando and Puerto Viejo, we can see that San Fernando is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Fernando is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

When is the best time to visit San Fernando or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit San Fernando or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Fernando in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Puerto Viejo. San Fernando 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. San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Fernando usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Puerto Viejo. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the autumn, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In October, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit San Fernando or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando 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 January, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit San Fernando or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and San Fernando during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando 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. San Fernando usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the spring, San Fernando often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

In the spring, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Fernando in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and San Fernando