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

Should you visit Veracruz or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Veracruz or Puerto Viejo?

Veracruz

Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, 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 Veracruz and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Veracruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz 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 Veracruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Veracruz 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 Veracruz.

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

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

Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Veracruz in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In Veracruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Veracruz usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Veracruz gets 208 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. Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Veracruz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Viejo. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Veracruz or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

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

In the autumn, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Veracruz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Veracruz usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Veracruz gets 131 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 Veracruz or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Veracruz 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.

Veracruz is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 21°C (71°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Veracruz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo during winter. Veracruz gets 156 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. In January, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Veracruz or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Veracruz in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Veracruz. In the spring, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Veracruz gets 203 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. Veracruz usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 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 Veracruz