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

Should you visit Valdivia or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Valdivia 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: Valdivia or Puerto Viejo?

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

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 10-Day Tours in Chile, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, 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 Valdivia and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Valdivia.

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

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

Valdivia 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 Valdivia or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valdivia and Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Valdivia is generally much colder than Puerto Viejoin July. Daily temperatures in Valdivia average around 16°C (61°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Valdivia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valdivia usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Valdivia gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Valdivia usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin July. Valdivia gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valdivia or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valdivia as well as Puerto Viejo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Valdivia is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valdivia averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in October.

In the autumn, Valdivia often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejoin October. Valdivia gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Valdivia usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejoin October. Valdivia gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valdivia or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Valdivia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Valdivia is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valdivia in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Valdivia usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Valdivia gets 66 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Valdivia. In July, Valdivia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Viejoin January. Valdivia gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valdivia or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Valdivia during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In October, Valdivia is generally much colder than Puerto Viejoin April. Daily temperatures in Valdivia average around 11°C (52°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the spring, Valdivia often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejoin April. Valdivia gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 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 Valdivia. Valdivia usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejoin April. Valdivia gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Valdivia