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

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

Where Should I go: Paracas or Vieques Island?

Paracas

Paracas, also known as El Chaco, is a resort town on the Southern coast of the country, about 150 miles south of Lima. The town in located in one of the oldest regions of Peru, with a history dating back to 900 BC and offers many pre-Inca cultural sites throughout the area. Paracas is possibly best known for being home to the Paracas National Reserve, a nature reserve boasting one of the most abundant and diverse ecosystems in the world.

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 Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Paracas?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Paracas is $63, 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 Paracas and Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paracas $22
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paracas $44
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Paracas and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Paracas 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 Paracas


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Paracas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paracas $19
    Vieques Island $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paracas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Paracas:

  • Private Transfer From Paracas To Lima With 2 Stops: $175
  • Direct Private Transfer From Paracas to Lima, English Speaking Driver: $163
  • Lima: Private taxi transfer from Lima airport to Paracas: $129
  • Private Transfer from Pisko Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima hotels: $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $87
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Cruise Port to Lima City Hotels: $78
  • Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $78
  • Oneway Transfer from San Juan Airport, Hotel, Airbnb to Bayamon: $60
  • Private Transfer From San Juan Airport (SJU) to /from San Juan: $44
  • Paracas Bus Station Private Transfer: $16
  • Bus Station Private Transfer: $16

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 Paracas or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Paracas 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
    Paracas $23
    Vieques Island $54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paracas

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

  • From Lima:Paracas,Ica and cooking class Ceviche semi-private: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paracas $25
    Vieques Island $34

Tours and Activities in Paracas

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

  • 2-Hour Tour to the Ballestas Islands from Puerto San Martín: $49
  • 2D: Tour Ica, Huacachina, Sandboarding, Ballestas Islands: $215
  • 4-Hour Guided Tour Paracas National Reserve: $20
  • 7-Hours Tour in Paracas National Reserve with Pickup: $38
  • ATV Tour Adventure in Reserva Nacional de Paracas: $45
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from Paracas : $26
  • Ballestas Islands Group Tour from San Martin Port: $50
  • Ballestas Islands Sightseeing Boat Ride from Paracas: $24
  • Ballestas Islands Tour: $24
  • Ballestas Islands Tour - Paracas: $25
  • Ballestas Islands Tour for passengers of the Puerto San Martin Cruise: $32
  • Ballestas Islands Tour from Puerto San Martin Cruise: $50

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paracas $11
    Vieques Island $30


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

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


Which is Bigger, Paracas or Vieques Island?

Vieques Island has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Paracas. When comparing the sizes of Paracas 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.

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