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

Should you visit Durham or Vieques Island?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Vieques Island can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Durham or Vieques Island?

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Durham is in North America and Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Vieques Island?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Durham 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 Durham or Vieques Island?

Durham 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 Durham or Vieques Island in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Durham as well as Vieques Island. Many travelers come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

In July, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the summer, Durham often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.

Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

Both Vieques Island and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Durham in the autumn for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Durham is much colder than Vieques Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In October, Durham usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Vieques Island in the Winter?

Both Vieques Island and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

Durham can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Durham is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durham in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Durham often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Vieques Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Vieques Island. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Durham is generally much colder than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Durham