Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Ocean City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocean City or Vieques Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ocean City 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: Ocean City or Vieques Island?
Ocean City
One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcean City $160Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocean City is $160, 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 Ocean City and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcean City $83Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcean City $166Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Ocean City and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Ocean City 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ocean City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocean City $47Vieques Island $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vieques Island
Also for Vieques Island, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi Transfer From San Juan Airport to El Conquistador Hotel: $115
- Private Transfer Fajardo or Ceiba to San Juan Airport: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocean City or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Ocean City 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 dayOcean City $49Vieques Island $54
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocean City $18Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Ocean City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ocean City are as follows:
- Assateague Island Morning Cruise: $79
- Atlantic Coastline Parasailing Adventure: $132
- Atlantic Ocean Catamaran Cruise with Crew: $125
- Banana Boat Fun Adventure: $33
- Bay Hopping Food Boat Tour with Tastings: $179
- Downtown and Boardwalk Foodie Walking Tour: $110
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Hopping Tour: $50
- High-Speed Sunrise Cruise and Dolphin Watching: $25
- High-Speed Sunset Cruise & Dolphin Watch: $36
- Midtown District Walking Foodie Tour: $110
- Speedboat Coastal Tour with Dolphin Spotting: $25
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcean City $14Vieques Island $30
When comparing the travel costs between Ocean City 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 Ocean City 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 Ocean City Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Vieques Island?
Vieques Island has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Vieques Island?
Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Vieques Island in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Vieques Island. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.
In July, Ocean City is generally cooler than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 77°F (25°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcean City 77°F (25°C)Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Vieques Island in the Autumn?
Both Vieques Island and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the shopping scene during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Ocean City is much colder than Vieques Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 58°F (14°C) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In October, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcean City 58°F (14°C)Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Vieques Island in the Winter?
Both Vieques Island and Ocean City during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.
The weather in Ocean City can be very cold. In the winter, Ocean City is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocean City in January average around 35°F (2°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcean City 35°F (2°C)Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Vieques Island in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Vieques Island. The beaches are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Ocean City is generally much colder than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 54°F (12°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcean City 54°F (12°C)Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Ocean City
| Ocean City | Vieques Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.