A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Puerto Viejo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Puerto Viejo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, Zurich attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Zurich travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a laid back, relaxed, and mellow town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Puerto Viejo is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Zurich and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zurich. Although Zurich and Puerto Viejo are both popular with visitors, Zurich has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Zurich is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Puerto Viejo is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Zurich is more touristy than Puerto Viejo and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Puerto Viejo is popular for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood.

How is Zurich different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Puerto Viejo and Zurich. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Puerto Viejo is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Zurich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Puerto Viejo offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

Is the Food Better in Zurich or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Puerto Viejo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Both Zurich and Puerto Viejo are high quality when it comes to partying.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Puerto Viejo has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a laid back town during the day and at night there's a chill but lively atmosphere. You'll find a few bars and clubs that have live music, and it's not hard to find something interesting to do.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Music?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Puerto Viejo is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Zurich has diverse options. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Puerto Viejo is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Puerto Viejo. You'll find the best snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, where you'll see coral and colorful fish. There's a dive shop in town as well, but most people enjoy the snorkeling in the area more.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Puerto Viejo is a well-known place for the beach. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Puerto Viejo for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches in the area are beautiful and offer great waves for surfing and patches of coral reef for snorkeling. Many of the beaches are lined with forest and have a more laid back and less developed atmosphere than the beaches on the Pacific side.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for its Old Town?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Puerto Viejo does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Zurich is revered around the world. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Puerto Viejo does not have a historic old town.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Puerto Viejo offers some nice hiking trails. The hike through nearby Cahuita National Park is a highlight for many visitors. It wanders along the coastline and takes about three hours to walk. You'll likely see some wildlife during your walk.

Zurich is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for shopping. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Zurich attracts visitors from all around. With Lake Zurich and the mountains as a backdrop, this is a truly beautiful city.

Puerto Viejo is a gorgeous place to visit. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Both Zurich and Puerto Viejo are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Puerto Viejo. With its easy access to Cahuita National Park and many wildlife experiences, this is a great destination for the kids. Kids can see sloths and monkeys, or enjoy snorkeling and hanging out on a chill beach.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Zurich and Puerto Viejo both high quality destinations for a couple.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Puerto Viejo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, which has a more laid back and less touristy atmosphere. While you won't find the larger resorts and tourist amenities in this area, couples who enjoy hiking and a local vibe will love their time here.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Puerto Viejo is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Puerto Viejo is a great town to visit for backpackers. There's a local atmosphere and enough hostels and budget accommodation to keep backpackers happy. It's also easy to explore and makes the perfect place to chill out for a few days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Students?

Zurich is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Puerto Viejo is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Puerto Viejo is not popular with students.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Zurich offers a very effecient public transportation network. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

You'll find some public transit in Puerto Viejo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Is Zurich or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Zurich and Puerto Viejo both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

Puerto Viejo is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is Puerto Viejo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Zurich and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

Families should spend more time in Zurich than Puerto Viejo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zurich, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Zurich than Puerto Viejo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zurich that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

In Zurich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this liberal city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Puerto Viejo. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

Zurich is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Puerto Viejo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

In Zurich, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this liberal destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the shopping. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Viejo. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Zurich or Puerto Viejo?

Zurich is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Puerto Viejo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, 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 Zurich and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

Both Puerto Viejo and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In the summer, Zurich is cooler than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Zurich. In the summer, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Zurich gets 241 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. Zurich usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year. September to October is the dry season in Puerto Viejo.

Should I visit Zurich or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Puerto Viejo. Many visitors come to Zurich in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Zurich is generally much colder than Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Zurich gets 120 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. In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. Also, November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo.

Should I visit Zurich or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Zurich can be very cold during winter. Zurich is much colder than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Zurich usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year. November to January in Puerto Viejo is the rainy season.

Should I visit Zurich or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Zurich because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Zurich is much colder than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Zurich gets 150 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, Zurich usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Zurich