Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas or Puerto Viejo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas 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.
Where Should I go: Saint Thomas or Puerto Viejo?
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Puerto Viejo $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $169. 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 Saint Thomas and Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Puerto Viejo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas 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: Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Puerto Viejo $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
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 Saint Thomas or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo and Saint Thomas 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 daySaint Thomas $94Puerto Viejo $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Puerto Viejo $78
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
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 daySaint Thomas $27Puerto Viejo $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas 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, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 29°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Puerto Viejo. Saint Thomas 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. Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 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 Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?
Both Puerto Viejo and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas 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, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 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 Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Thomas in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?
Both Puerto Viejo and Saint Thomas during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas 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. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.
In April, Saint Thomas is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Puerto Viejo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) |
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.