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

Should you visit San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur 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: San Juan del Sur or Puerto Viejo?

San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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

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

When is the best time to visit San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Puerto Viejo. San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur. In October, San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Viejo. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

San Juan del Sur usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and San Juan del Sur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur 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. San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. In the winter, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur 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 Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan del Sur usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, San Juan del Sur is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan del Sur in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and San Juan del Sur