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

Should you visit San Pedro 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 Pedro 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 Pedro or Puerto Viejo?

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

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 comparing the travel costs between San Pedro and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo 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. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

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

Both Puerto Viejo and San Pedro during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. San Pedro usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. San Pedro gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in San Pedro. In the summer, San Pedro often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Pedro gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

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

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

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

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejo. San Pedro gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

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

The winter brings many poeple to San Pedro as well as Puerto Viejo. San Pedro 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 Pedro receives a lot of rain in the winter. San Pedro usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. San Pedro 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 Pedro often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. San Pedro gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

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

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

Both Puerto Viejo and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro 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 April, San Pedro usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. San Pedro gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. San Pedro usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. San Pedro gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, San Pedro is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Pedro 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 Pedro