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

Should you visit Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam and Puerto Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Puerto Viejo?

Dar es Salaam

Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.

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 Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, 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 Dar es Salaam and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

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

Also, September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. November to January in Puerto Viejo is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 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 Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

The rainy season in Puerto Viejo is November to January. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 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 Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Dar es Salaam during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Puerto Viejo. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

In April, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Dar es Salaam