A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Terre-de-Haut vs. Puerto Viejo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Terre-de-Haut or Puerto Viejo?

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

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut 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: Terre-de-Haut or Puerto Viejo?

Terre-de-Haut

Les Saintes (also known as Iles des Saintes) is a small archipelago of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. The islands here are best known for their tropical beauty, untouched beaches, and bayside villages. Only two of the nine are inhabited.

Terre-de-Haut of Les Saintes is the most popular island to visit. It is known for the Pain de Sucre, a small bay lined with coconut trees and an ideal location for snorkeling, in addition to white sandy beaches like the Plage de Pompierre. There is also a nineteenth-century fort which can be reached on foot for striking views of the surrounding area.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Terre-de-Haut and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Terre-de-Haut is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Terre-de-Haut and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Terre-de-Haut 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. Terre-de-Haut gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Terre-de-Haut usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Terre-de-Haut gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Terre-de-Haut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Terre-de-Haut usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Terre-de-Haut gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Terre-de-Haut in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Terre-de-Haut as well as Puerto Viejo. Terre-de-Haut 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. Terre-de-Haut receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Terre-de-Haut usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Terre-de-Haut gets 228 mm (9 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 Terre-de-Haut this time of the year. In the autumn, Terre-de-Haut often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Terre-de-Haut gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In October, Terre-de-Haut is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Terre-de-Haut average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Terre-de-Haut are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Terre-de-Haut 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, Terre-de-Haut usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Terre-de-Haut gets 84 mm (3.3 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 Terre-de-Haut. Terre-de-Haut usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Terre-de-Haut gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Terre-de-Haut averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Terre-de-Haut during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Terre-de-Haut 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Terre-de-Haut. Terre-de-Haut usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Terre-de-Haut gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Terre-de-Haut. In the spring, Terre-de-Haut often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Terre-de-Haut gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Terre-de-Haut in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Terre-de-Haut