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

Should you visit Leon or Vieques Island?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Vieques Island can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Leon or Vieques Island?

Leon

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.

With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.

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 in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Leon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, 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 Leon and Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leon $16
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leon $32
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Leon and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Leon 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 Leon


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leon $1.51
    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 Leon or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Leon 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
    Leon $12
    Vieques Island $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon

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

  • Tlakualli Food Tour: $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leon $5.81
    Vieques Island $34

Tours and Activities in Leon

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

  • 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
  • A Stroll Through León’s Enchanting Streets: Romantic Walking Tour: $226
  • Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
  • Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
  • Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
  • Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
  • Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
  • Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
  • Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
  • Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
  • Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
  • Telica Sunset Tour : $93

Tours and Activities in Vieques Island

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

  • Puerto Rico Guided Adventure in El Yunque Rainforest: $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
    Leon $3.53
    Vieques Island $30


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

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


Which is Bigger, Leon or Vieques Island?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Leon or Vieques Island in the Summer?

Both Vieques Island and Leon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leon often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Leon is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leon in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Leon 27°C (81°F) 
    Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Leon or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Vieques Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Vieques Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Leon usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. Leon usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Leon 27°C (81°F) 
    Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Leon or Vieques Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Leon as well as Vieques Island. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

Leon usually gets less rain in January than Vieques Island. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In the winter, Leon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.

Leon is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Leon 26°C (79°F) 
    Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Leon or Vieques Island in the Spring?

Both Vieques Island and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Leon usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Leon is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Leon 29°C (84°F) 
    Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Leon

Leon Vieques Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)