A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Puerto Viejo for Nightlife, Couples, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez 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.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a vibrant, built-up, and well-known city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a mellow, authentic, and laid back town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Puerto Viejo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

Both Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Acapulco de Juarez is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Puerto Viejo attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Acapulco de Juarez is more touristy than Puerto Viejo and is popular for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. Puerto Viejo is famous for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo.

Acapulco de Juarez offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

While most people don't head to Puerto Viejo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

Is the Food Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Acapulco de Juarez area. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Puerto Viejo. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

People head to Acapulco de Juarez just to party. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

The people in Puerto Viejo know how to have a good time. 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Acapulco de Juarez is a perfect choice. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Puerto Viejo is not a resort destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Acapulco de Juarez. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Puerto Viejo has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo are great choices.

Acapulco de Juarez is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Puerto Viejo is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to go shopping. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Puerto Viejo. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Puerto Viejo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo.

Acapulco de Juarez is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

Puerto Viejo is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Acapulco de Juarez has plenty to offer. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

Couples visit Puerto Viejo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Puerto Viejo is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo.

You'll find some public transit in Acapulco de Juarez, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

While Puerto Viejo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Acapulco de Juarez is somewhat walkable. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

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

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Acapulco de Juarez?

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Acapulco de Juarez if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Puerto Viejo.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

In Acapulco de Juarez, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this built-up city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the mellow destination of Puerto Viejo. This town offers something for everyone. 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

Acapulco de Juarez is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Puerto Viejo is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed town of Puerto Viejo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Puerto Viejo has to offer.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

In Acapulco de Juarez, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this built-up destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. 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 nightlife. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Puerto Viejo. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Puerto Viejo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez.

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

When is the best time to visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

Acapulco de Juarez 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Puerto Viejo. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the summer. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. In October, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October. The rainy season in Puerto Viejo is November to January.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Acapulco de Juarez during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

In January, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year. November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Puerto Viejo. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches during these months. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 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 Acapulco de Juarez