Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Sucre?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sucre or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sucre or Puerto Viejo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sucre or Puerto Viejo?
Sucre
Sucre is famous for its gorgeous town center and delightful climate, making it for many Bolivia's most beautiful city. Also considered the symbolic heart of the nation, 'La ciudad blanca' or the white city has preserved stunning whitewashed buildings sheltering pretty patios and other beauties of colonial architecture. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991 and is under strict controls on development. It offers many attractions including historic buildings and a renowned theatre, but you can also wander around prehistoric sites and discover indigenous culture in the surrounding towns and countryside.
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 3-Day Tours from La Paz, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bolivia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySucre $43Puerto Viejo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Sucre is $43, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $145. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sucre and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSucre $11Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSucre $22Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Sucre and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Sucre or Puerto Viejo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sucre Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sucre $12Puerto Viejo $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sucre
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sucre are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sucre
Also for Sucre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Sucre - Uyuni, stopover in Potosí Mines: $227
- Private Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre by SUV or Car: $23
- Private MiniVan or Bus Transfer from Sucre Airport SRE to Sucre: $28
- Departure Transfer from Sucre to Sucre Airport by MiniVan or Bus: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Sucre or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Sucre 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
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Food Meals for one daySucre $18Puerto Viejo $33
Typical Food Prices in Sucre
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sucre:
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Dinner$4.48
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Juice$0.87
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Juice$1.01
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Chocolate$1.73
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Cappuccino$4.34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sucre
For Sucre, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Bolivian Cooking Class w/ Cocktail Making by La Boca del Sapo, Sucre: $40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sucre $16Puerto Viejo $78
Tours and Activities in Sucre
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sucre.
- 2-Day Icla Canyon Tour from Sucre: $87
- From Tour in English Uyuni salt flat tour 2 Days: $150
- From Uyuni salt flat tour 2 days 1 night: $125
- Guided Walking Tour in Sucre: $20
- Hiking Tour in El Palmar from Sucre Bolivia: $250
- JATUN YAMPARA - Agro-artisan Indigenous Nucleus -Full Day Tours + Lunch: $79
- JATUN YAMPARA - Nucleo Indigena, Agroartesanal - Half Day Tours: $58
- Private Cultural Tour in Sucre with Visit to 3 Museums: $44
- Private Half Day Tour: Sucre Walking Tour with Hotel Pick up: $67
- Sucre - Walking City Tour - Half Day - English Speaking guide: $64
- Sucre City Tour With Visit to Cretaceous Park: $123
- Sucre City Tour with a German local! Something different!: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySucre $13Puerto Viejo $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sucre and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Sucre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sucre is in South America and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sucre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sucre 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 Sucre.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sucre Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.