A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oaxaca de Juarez vs. Puerto Viejo for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Oaxaca 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.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Oaxaca de Juarez is a cultural, authentic, and traditional city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Oaxaca de Juarez travel costs.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is a authentic, laid back, and relaxed town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Puerto Viejo is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Puerto Viejo travel costs.

Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Viejo: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Oaxaca de Juarez than Puerto Viejo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Oaxaca de Juarez is better known for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Puerto Viejo is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Oaxaca de Juarez is more touristy than Puerto Viejo and is known for its indigenous cultures, historic center, and excellent food scene. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is famous for Mercado Benito Juárez. Puerto Viejo is well known for its surfing, snorkeling, and seafood.

How is Oaxaca 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 Oaxaca de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Puerto Viejo is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Oaxaca de Juarez has many famous sights for visitors. There are many museums and historical sights in the city and nearby. The Oaxaca Cathedral is located on the city's main square, Zocalo. Also worth visiting is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude. Just a few kilometers outside of the city is the historic settlement of Monte Albán as well as the Ex-Monastery of Santiago Apóstol. Also check out the Rufino Tamayo Museum and Museo Casa Juárez.

Puerto Viejo offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There aren't any real museums in the area, but there are a couple of art galleries.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Oaxaca de Juarez has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. This is a city for foodies. Of all the destinations in Mexico, this one always tops the list for its cuisine. The food is influenced by traditional ingredients like corn and many of the recipes have been passed on through the generations. Local dishes include mole, Oaxaca cheese, coloradito, and tlayudas.

Puerto Viejo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Viejo.

Many people head to Oaxaca de Juarez for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene starts late in the evening and can continue into the early hours. Many people meet up around Oaxaca Zocalo and it's very lively in the evenings. You'll often find live music and a fun atmosphere. As the night progresses, many people make their way to Santo Domingo, which is where you'll find a number of bars and clubs.

Puerto Viejo has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Puerto Viejo has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Beaches?

Puerto Viejo is great for its beaches. However, Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Puerto Viejo is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a beach destination.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for its Old Town?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Puerto Viejo does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Oaxaca de Juarez is revered around the world. The historic center is filled with colonial Spanish architecture. It's laid out in a grid pattern and there are many historic monuments. The surrounding region also has a history that dates back 1500 years.

Puerto Viejo does not have a historic old town.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Hiking?

Puerto Viejo is a popular place for hiking. However, Oaxaca 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.

Oaxaca de Juarez is not a hiking destination.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Oaxaca de Juarez specifically to go shopping. The region's indigenous populations are known for the artisan crafts and handmade items. Many visitors enjoy shopping at the city's markets, where you'll find handmade ceramics, hand blown glassware, and more.

Puerto Viejo is a great destination for shopping. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo More Beautiful?

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

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.

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

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Families?

Puerto Viejo is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oaxaca de Juarez is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a family-friendly place to visit. For trampolines, bouncy houses, and other fun activities, head to El Llano Park on a weekend. There's also an outdoor playground and other fun activities for kids at Museu Infantil de Oaxaca. Kid-friendly restaurants are abundant, and if the kids enjoy hiking, you can head out of town for a day trip.

Is Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Viejo make for a great place to visit.

Oaxaca de Juarez is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city is famous for its cuisine, so food lovers will enjoy dining their way through town. There are also great hotels, beautiful gardens, and fascinating architecture.

Puerto Viejo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Puerto Viejo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Oaxaca de Juarez, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many very affordable hostels around town. The city is a mecca for backpackers in Mexico, and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with and great restaurants to explore.

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Viejo both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Oaxaca de Juarez offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has colectivos, which are shared taxis. There are also buses and tuk tuks that you can use to get around.

Puerto Viejo has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.

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

Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Viejo are great when it comes to walkability.

Oaxaca de Juarez is very walkable. It's a walkable city that's fun to explore on foot, particularly in the historic center.

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

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

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

How long in Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oaxaca de Juarez than Puerto Viejo 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 Oaxaca de Juarez.

One day in Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

In Oaxaca de Juarez, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the mellow destination of Puerto Viejo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the mellow town of Puerto Viejo. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

In Oaxaca de Juarez, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this authentic destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Puerto Viejo is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Oaxaca de Juarez or Puerto Viejo?

Oaxaca de Juarez is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, 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 Oaxaca de Juarez and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oaxaca 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 Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca 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 Oaxaca de Juarez.

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