Puerto Escondido vs Puerto Viejo: cost of living for digital nomads
Puerto Escondido, Mexico and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Puerto Escondido is about 5% cheaper than Puerto Viejo for a month of nomad living ($1,450 vs $1,520).
- Puerto Escondido scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Puerto Viejo: 60 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Puerto Escondido wins 5 of the measured lines; Puerto Viejo wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Puerto Escondido or Puerto Viejo?
Puerto Escondido is cheaper: about $1,450/month against $1,520/month in Puerto Viejo, roughly 5% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Puerto Escondido or Puerto Viejo?
Puerto Escondido scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Puerto Viejo.
Which has faster internet, Puerto Escondido or Puerto Viejo?
Puerto Viejo has faster typical internet: 60 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Puerto Escondido.
| Line | Puerto Escondido | Puerto Viejo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,450 | $1,520 |
| Rent | $650 | $650 |
| Food | $400 | $420 |
| Transport | $45 | $70 |
| Coworking | $110 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | small |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
Puerto Escondido
Pacific surf town in Oaxaca — a quieter, cheaper alternative to Tulum with a strong nomad following.
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Puerto Escondido August 30, 2026, Puerto Viejo September 10, 2026.