Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Buzios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Buzios or Vieques Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Buzios or Vieques Island? 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: Buzios or Vieques Island?
Buzios
Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.
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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, and The Best Eco Tours in Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuzios $77Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $77, 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 Buzios and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuzios $37Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuzios $74Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buzios $19Vieques Island $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios
Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfer Arraial do Cabo to GIG or SDU Airport by Sedan Car: $241
- Departure Transfer from Buzios or to Rio Airports by Minivan: $219
- Private transfer from Buzios to the GIG Airport : $186
- Private transfer Buzios in Rio to the SDU Airport : $186
- Private Transfer from GIG Airport to City Buzios in Rio : $170
- Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $110
- Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $106
- Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $97
- Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
- Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer to Rio de Janeiro: $52
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 Buzios or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Buzios 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
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Food Meals for one dayBuzios $24Vieques Island $54
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buzios $27Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Buzios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.
- Buzios Trolley City Tour: $29
- 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $33
- 7 Beaches In Búzios With Photos On A Private Tour!: $34
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Arraial do Cabo: $128
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Búzios: $99
- Búzios Full day: Boat and Trolley Tour with Lunch from Cabo Frio: $116
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo Panoramic City Tour in Cabo Frio: $96
- Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo from Buzios with Lunch: $60
- Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $16
- Buggy Tour in Arraial do Cabo by Arraial Viagens: $31
- Cabo Frio Full-Day Tour From Buzios with Lunch: $68
Tours and Activities in Vieques Island
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.
- 1-Hour Bioluminescent Boat Tour in Mosquito Bay, Vieques : $135
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $65
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $72
- Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo: $65
- Culebra Island Snorkel with Turtles Adventure - Ferry Tickets Included: $135
- El Yunque Waterfalls and Waterslide River Tour: $50
- Fajardo Afternoon Snorkeling Boat Tour: $110
- Full-Day Snorkeling Tour to Culebra Island with Lunch: $139
- Half Day Adventure Private Tour in El Yunque Rainforest: $234
- Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour : $125
- Isla de Vieques Beach Sightseeing Day Tour: $70
- Mosquito Bay Kayak Experience in Vieques: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuzios $17Vieques Island $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buzios and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Buzios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buzios is in South 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 Buzios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buzios 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 Buzios.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buzios Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buzios or Vieques Island?
Buzios has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.