Should you visit San Pedro or Puerto Viejo?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro or Puerto Viejo, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or San Pedro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $107, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $79. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for San Pedro and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in San Pedro is about $106 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $82 in Puerto Viejo For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around San Pedro is $27 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Puerto Viejo's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $26 per person, per day on transportation in Puerto Viejo.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
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Cave Tubing Adventure Air Transfer:
$255
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and San Pedro change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in San Pedro cost around $32 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $13.
The average traveler spends about $18 per day in Puerto Viejo for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
San Pedro $32
Puerto Viejo $18
Entertainment
San Pedro's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $26 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Puerto Viejo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
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Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from San Pedro Ambergris Caye:
$220
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Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat:
$62
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Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye:
$107
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Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San pedro Ambergris caye:
$208
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Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure:
$190
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Caves Kayaking Zipline Experience from Ambergris Caye San Pedro:
$142
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Crossing the highlands: From Cusco to Puno or Viceversa - Private tour:
$421
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Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat:
$67
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Jungle Tour in the City - from San Jose:
$45
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Mexico Rocks Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat:
$67
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The Best of San Jose Walking Tour:
$509
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The best of San Pedro Town walking tour:
$496
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Tamarindo: ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour:
$100
Alcohol
The average person spends about $13 on alcoholic beverages in San Pedro per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typically, people visiting Puerto Viejo spend on average $8.09 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and Puerto Viejo, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Viejo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Viejo 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro than you might in Puerto Viejo.
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