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

Should you visit San Ignacio 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 Ignacio 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 Ignacio or Puerto Viejo?

San Ignacio

So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.

You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.

This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!

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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, 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 San Ignacio and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio.

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

When is the best time to visit San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

Also, September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Ignacio usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Ignacio this time of the year. In the summer, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

In the summer, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Ignacio in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

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

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

The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October. The rainy season in Puerto Viejo is November to January. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In October, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejo. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 26°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

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

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

November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio 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, San Ignacio usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and San Ignacio