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

Should you visit Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island 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: Vieques Island or Puerto Viejo?

Vieques Island

Amidst the melodious chorus of coqui frogs and gentle whispers of palm trees blowing in an evening breeze, you will find that the waters around you glow just as brightly as the stars above. This tropical paradise is none other than Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tropical forests, bioluminescent bays, coral reefs--this island attracts visitors from all around the world who seek to see the wonders and beauties of the tropics. This island suits those from all walks of life, from history buffs seeking to learn about its unique past to nature-lovers wanting to admire its untouched wilderness. Vieques is the place for a perfect vacation!

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 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 Vieques Island and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands 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 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 Vieques Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vieques Island than you might in Puerto Viejo.

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

When is the best time to visit Vieques Island or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Vieques Island or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vieques Island usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vieques Island usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Vieques Island gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Vieques Island is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vieques Island in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Vieques Island or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Vieques Island usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In the autumn, Vieques Island often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In October, Vieques Island is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Vieques Island or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In January, Vieques Island usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. Vieques Island usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Vieques Island gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Vieques Island is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Vieques Island or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Vieques Island during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vieques Island usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. In the spring, Vieques Island often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Vieques Island gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Vieques Island is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vieques Island in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Vieques Island