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

Should you visit Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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.

Where Should I go: Mombasa or Puerto Viejo?

Mombasa

Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, 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 Mombasa and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.

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

When is the best time to visit Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

The dry season in Puerto Viejo is September to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Mombasa or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Mombasa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

September to October is the dry season in Puerto Viejo. November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Mombasa or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

Also, November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Mombasa is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Mombasa or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

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

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Mombasa