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

Should you visit Tulum or Puerto Viejo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Puerto Viejo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tulum or Puerto Viejo?

Tulum

When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.

Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.

This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, 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 Tulum and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.

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

When is the best time to visit Tulum or Puerto Viejo?

Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Puerto Viejo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tulum in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In July, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.

Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Puerto Viejo. The winter months attract visitors to Tulum because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In the winter, Tulum is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Tulum usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Tulum