Side-by-side city decision # Hoi An vs Puerto Viejo. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Hoi AnVietnam4 VS Puerto ViejoCosta Rica1 $900Hoi An monthly budget $1,230Puerto Viejo monthly budget 40 MbpsHoi An internet 25 MbpsPuerto Viejo internet Decision summary Hoi An Hoi An leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Hoi An Speed Fastest internet Hoi An Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Hoi An Air Cleanest air Puerto Viejo Walk Most walkable Hoi An Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Hoi An](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/vietnam/hoi-an.md) Vietnam 4/6 Budget$900 Internet40 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Puerto Viejo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/puerto-viejo.md) Costa Rica 1/6 Budget$1,230 Internet25 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $900 $1,230 1-bed center rent $350 $600 Coworking desk $120 $150 Local meal $3 $10 Cappuccino $1.5 $3.5 Gym membership $35 $50 Transport budget $50 $30 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 40 Mbps 25 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 80/100 55/100 Air quality 65/100 85/100 Walkability 8/10 7/10 Female safety 8/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Average Average Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Feb - Apr Feb - Apr Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Hoi An](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/vietnam/hoi-an.md) Vietnam → ### Strengths * Incredibly affordable cost of living * Rich cultural heritage and ancient town * Delicious and cheap street food * Friendly and welcoming locals * Beautiful beaches and countryside * Strong community of digital nomads ### Trade-offs * Heavy rain and flooding from October to December * Tourist crowds in the Old Town * Limited nightlife options * Air conditioning can be weak in budget accommodations * Occasional power cuts during storms * Language barrier outside tourist areas ### Common visa routes * E-visa (90 days single entry) * Visa on arrival (pre-approval needed) * 45-day visa exemption for many countries [Puerto Viejo](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/costa-rica/puerto-viejo.md) Costa Rica → ### Strengths * Stunning Caribbean beaches and surf breaks * Lively reggae and Afro-Caribbean culture * Affordable lifestyle compared to rest of Costa Rica * Strong expat and digital nomad community * Abundant wildlife and jungle adventures * Laid-back, stress-free atmosphere ### Trade-offs * Unreliable internet with frequent outages * Limited healthcare facilities (clinic only, hospital far) * High humidity and mosquito presence year-round * Few coworking spaces; most work from cafes * Bumpy roads and limited public transport * Occasional petty theft, especially at night ### Common visa routes * Tourist visa (90 days) * Border run to Panama * Digital nomad visa (pending) Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.