A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Puerto Viejo for Nightlife, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu 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.

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a spectacular, scenic, and breathtaking park. With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Foz do Iguacu 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 is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Foz do Iguacu. Although Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo are both popular with visitors, Foz do Iguacu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Foz do Iguacu is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Puerto Viejo is known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and small town charm. Foz do Iguacu is more touristy than Puerto Viejo and is popular for its spectacular beauty and incredible volume of water. It is also home to Iguacu National Park. Puerto Viejo is popular for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood.

How is Foz do Iguacu different from Puerto Viejo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

Plenty of people visit the decent sights and museums in both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo.

Foz do Iguacu offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a handful of museums and nature parks in and near town.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Foz do Iguacu. You'll find a variety of restaurants around town where you can sample the regional cuisine. A popular item on the menus is Surubí (a local river fish). Also make sure you try the Mbeyú (fried bread), and paraguayan soup (more like bread than an actual soup).

Puerto Viejo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Foz do Iguacu has a few options to choose from. Head to the intersection of Avenida JK and Avenida Jorge Schimmelpfeng for the most lively nightlife scene in town. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, many with outdoor areas or live music.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Viejo is a town with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Foz do Iguacu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Foz do Iguacu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for the beach. However, Foz do Iguacu is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Puerto Viejo attract visitors from all over. 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.

Foz do Iguacu is not a beach destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Foz do Iguacu is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Foz do Iguacu. There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.

Puerto Viejo has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Puerto Viejo and Foz do Iguacu.

Foz do Iguacu offers some nice shopping areas. There's shopping in the center of town, particularly around Avenida Brasil, Rua Barbosa, Rua Almirante Barroso, and Quintino Bocaiuva.

Puerto Viejo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

Foz do Iguacu 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, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. The falls is absolutely breathtaking. The volume of water and enormity in size is something that you can only experience in person.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo are superb to visit with kids.

Foz do Iguacu is a very kid-friendly park. Of course, the highlight for everyone is a visit to Iguacu National Park, which also offers boat rides, hiking, and spectacular views. In addition to this impressive park, the whole family will also enjoy a visit to Parque das Aves, which is a bird park that includes information on wildlife species and conservation.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

Both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Couples visit Foz do Iguacu frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. While the town itself has limited entertainment, the waterfalls is a spectacular sight that has inspired more than a few marriage proposals.

Puerto Viejo is a great park if you're traveling as 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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Foz do Iguacu is a great park to visit for backpackers. This is one of the country's most popular backpacker destinations so you'll find plenty of hostels and young travelers to hang out with. The falls itself is truly incredible and well worth the trip.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Puerto Viejo. 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.

Is Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo.

You'll find some public transit in Foz do Iguacu, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's 12 miles between the park and the town so you'll need to take either a taxi or a public bus. On your way to the park, you should arrange for a ride back because finding a taxi as you leave can be challenging.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo a more walkable city?

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Foz do Iguacu is generally not a very walkable park. There are walkways near the waterfalls, but the city isn't particularly walkable and you'll need transportation to travel between the park and the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Puerto Viejo or Foz do Iguacu?

How long in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Foz do Iguacu than in Puerto Viejo. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Foz do Iguacu, and 2-3 days is enough time in Puerto Viejo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Puerto Viejo than Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

In Foz do Iguacu, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this spectacular park offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Puerto Viejo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

Foz do Iguacu is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Puerto Viejo. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the spectacular destination of Foz do Iguacu. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the mellow destination of Puerto Viejo. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

Foz do Iguacu is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the town of Puerto Viejo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, 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 Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu is in South 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 Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.

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

When is the best time to visit Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo?

Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Puerto Viejo. Many visitors come to Foz do Iguacu in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejoin July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Foz do Iguacu for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Foz do Iguacu is generally cooler than Puerto Viejoin October. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Foz do Iguacu during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Foz do Iguacu because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejoin January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 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 Foz do Iguacu or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Puerto Viejo. The natural beauty are the main draw to Foz do Iguacu this time of year. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejoin April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 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 Foz do Iguacu