Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Fort-de-France?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France 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: Fort-de-France or Puerto Viejo?
Fort-de-France
As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.
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.
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Fort-de-France Prices
Martinique PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort-de-France €194Puerto Viejo €145
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort-de-France is €194, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is €145. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Fort-de-France and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort-de-France €79Puerto Viejo €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort-de-France €158Puerto Viejo €122
Compare Hotels in Fort-de-France and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Fort-de-France or Puerto Viejo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices and Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort-de-France €16Puerto Viejo €32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France
Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Fort de France Port to Martinique Airport (FDF): $77
- Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $77
- Private Transfer from Fort de France Port to Fort de France: $77
- Private Transfer Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France Port: $77
- Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Arrival Transfer: $69
- Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport to Puerto Viejo Limon: $320
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort-de-France or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Fort-de-France change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayFort-de-France €100Puerto Viejo €49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France
For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fort-de-France €31Puerto Viejo €67
Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.
- Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $71
- Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
- Glide into adventure: Hiking and natural slides: $182
- Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
- Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique: $108
- Karaib Tour: $66
- Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
- Martinique: Coral and Turtle Coves Cruise: $84
- Martinique: Private Tour with Local Guide: $176
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $58
- Dolphin Watching & Netflix Featured Organic Jungle Farm Tour: $88
- Epic Manzanillo Combo Tour: Snorkel, Dolphins & Farm Tour: $119
- Night Adventure in the Wild Talamanca: $85
- Puerto Viejo Limón: Best Canopy Tour / Ziplines: $83
- Puerto Viejo Limón: Birdwatching Tour at Nativo Park: $50
- Puerto Viejo Talamanca: Quad Tour with 2 Waterfalls: $310
- Puerto Viejo&Cahuita: Tour of 3 Waterfalls, Talamanca, Limón: $149
- Canoe Adventure & Caribbean Family Experience: $47
- Indigenous Experience & Chocolate Tour: $74
- Wildlife Night Tour in the Jungle: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort-de-France €10Puerto Viejo €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:
- Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
- North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort-de-France and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Fort-de-France is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.