A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Asheville vs. Vieques Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Asheville or Vieques Island?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Vieques Island. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Asheville or Vieques Island?

Asheville

Asheville is a beautiful mountain town between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a popular tourist destination in western North Carolina that attracts hikers, shoppers, and adventurers alike. It's the largest city in the area and is famous for it's liberal mindset and large art community. Local crafts are frequently available for sale in the downtown shops.

Vieques Island

Amidst the melodious chorus of coqui frogs and gentle whispers of palm trees blowing in an evening breeze, you will find that the waters around you glow just as brightly as the stars above. This tropical paradise is none other than Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tropical forests, bioluminescent bays, coral reefs--this island attracts visitors from all around the world who seek to see the wonders and beauties of the tropics. This island suits those from all walks of life, from history buffs seeking to learn about its unique past to nature-lovers wanting to admire its untouched wilderness. Vieques is the place for a perfect vacation!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Asheville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $133, while the average daily cost in Vieques Island is $170. 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 Asheville and Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asheville $89
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asheville $178
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Vieques Island? 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.

Hotels in Asheville


Hotels in Vieques Island


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: Asheville Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asheville $14
    Vieques Island $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vieques Island

Also for Vieques Island, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Fajardo or Ceiba to San Juan Airport: $150
  • Taxi Transfer From San Juan Airport to El Conquistador Hotel: $115

Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Asheville 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Asheville $33
    Vieques Island $54
Typical Food Prices in Asheville

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:


  • Biltmore Estate Entrance Fee
    $60

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asheville

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Asheville.

  • 1-HR cooking class: $40
  • Electric Bike Tour of Asheville's Best Pizza: $98
  • Best Pizza E-bike Tour: $111

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asheville $16
    Vieques Island $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Asheville

Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Massage
    $40

Tours and Activities in Asheville

Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • (3 HR) Guided Safari Jeep Mile-High & Waterfall Adventure: $100
  • (3 HR) Off-Road UTV Wilderness Adventure : $175
  • (4 HR) UTV Sunset, Waterfall, and Eco Elk Wilderness Adventure : $275
  • 2.5-Hour Blue Ridge Parkway Guided Jeep Tour: $99
  • 4 Hour Guided Safari Jeep Eco ELK Wilderness Adventure : $144
  • Amazing Asheville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • An afternoon with the artist, private art gallery tour: $60
  • Asheville Coffee Tours: $65
  • Asheville Ghost Tour: A Walk Through Riverside Cemetery & Montford Neighborhood: $27
  • Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views: $75
  • Asheville Historic Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
  • Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour: $35

Tours and Activities in Vieques Island

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.

  • Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $45
  • El Yunque Waterfalls and Waterslide River Tour: $50
  • Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island: $56
  • Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $65
  • Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo: $65
  • Isla de Vieques Beach Sightseeing Day Tour: $70
  • Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $72
  • Private Tour to the East Side of Puerto Rico: $95
  • Snorkeling Tour to Vieques Island: $100
  • Fajardo Afternoon Snorkeling Boat Tour: $110
  • Mosquito Bay Kayak Experience in Vieques: $115
  • Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour : $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asheville $16
    Vieques Island $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville

Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Skip the Line: Copper Barrel's Premium Distillery Tour & Tasting: $10
  • Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $39
  • Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Samples: $65
  • Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
  • Premier Walking Guided Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
  • Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville: $74
  • Premier Mobile Guided Brewery Tour Around Asheville: $99
  • Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $99
  • Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Asheville is in North America and Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Vieques Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vieques Island than you might in Asheville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Asheville or Vieques Island?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Vieques Island, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Asheville or Vieques Island?

Asheville has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vieques Island experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Vieques Island in the Summer?

Both Vieques Island and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Asheville 82°F (28°C) 
    Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Asheville or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Vieques Island. The autumn months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Asheville is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vieques Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Asheville usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Asheville or Vieques Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Vieques Island. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

In January, Asheville is generally much colder than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In the winter, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Asheville 44°F (7°C) 
    Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Asheville or Vieques Island in the Spring?

Both Vieques Island and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Asheville for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Asheville is much colder than Vieques Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Asheville

Asheville Vieques Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 55°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)