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

Should you visit La Serena 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 La Serena and Vieques Island can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Serena or Vieques Island?

La Serena

La Serena is a charming town in Northern Chile. It is Chile's second-oldest city and the thriving capital of Region IV. With its beautiful architecture, its long golden shoreline, dignified stone churches, tree-shaded avenues and pretty plazas, La Serena has everything you could ask for!

Chileans on holidays flood in the city in January and February, though it is fairly peaceful outside the summer rush. Some of the city's architecture is from the colonial era, but most is actually neocolonial thanks to president Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, born in La Serena, and her 'Plan Serena' of the late 1940s.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Serena and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is La Serena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Serena 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 La Serena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Serena 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 La Serena.

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

Which is Bigger, La Serena or Vieques Island?

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

La Serena 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 La Serena or Vieques Island in the Summer?

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

In the summer, La Serena is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Serena in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In La Serena, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Serena usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during summer. La Serena gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, La Serena usually receives less rain than Vieques Islandin July. La Serena gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Serena or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to La Serena as well as Vieques Island. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

In April, La Serena is generally much colder than Vieques Islandin October. Daily temperatures in La Serena average around 15°C (59°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In the autumn, La Serena often gets less sunshine than Vieques Islandin October. La Serena gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vieques Island. La Serena usually gets less rain in April than Vieques Islandin October. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit La Serena or Vieques Island in the Winter?

Both Vieques Island and La Serena are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

La Serena is much colder than Vieques Island in the winter. The daily temperature in La Serena averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. La Serena usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during winter. La Serena gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, La Serena usually receives less rain than Vieques Islandin January. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Serena or Vieques Island in the Spring?

Both Vieques Island and La Serena during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

In the spring, La Serena is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Serena in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, La Serena often gets less sunshine than Vieques Islandin April. La Serena gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun.

La Serena usually gets less rain in October than Vieques Islandin April. La Serena gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and La Serena