Is Montezuma or Puerto Viejo Better to Visit in Costa Rica?

Question

I'm in Costa Rica for a month (June, so i don't know if rain is an issue at one of the places), but I only have two free weekends, one for Arenal and one for either Montezuma or Puerto Viejo. What does each place have to offer for a weekend? Which is better for a college student?

Answer 1

I would not decide until you are in Costa Rica and talk with people who have visited the sites.  I assume that you will be studying or working since only weekends are free.  That said, my opinion follows.

There will not be a big difference in rain between the two places (Montezuma will be a bit drier).  It depends what you are into.  Both are laid back, but the party scene is  more intense in Puerto Viejo.  Montezuma has a good swimming beach at the edge of town while the beaches in Puerto Viejo itself are surfing beaches--usually too rough to safely swim.  You need to go out of town to Punta Uva or Manzanillo (not difficult) to swim safely.  

The night life has an afro-Caribbean tone in Puerto Viejo with Reggae at least as common as salsa.  Puerto Viejo is not as law abiding as Montezuma so there is more petty theft and drugs.

Answer 2

ahhh... montezuma. i was there last weekend and it was great. you should go there. the small town, the rivers, the waterfalls... is amazing. there is a lot to do there even if you are not doing anything. just by sitting in front of the beach at night behind chicos bar, wow. you can stay at the arenas pension or the one called el parque hostel, they are right in front of the beach and is $8.oo/person. i don't know about puerto viejo but montezuma is not expensive...

Answer 3

Go to Montezuma is better, because it´s in the Pacific coast close to many beaches and Guanacaste (the province) is nice and safer.

June it´s the rainy season and the rain in Puerto Viejo, Limón is a lot more that in the Pacific.