Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, 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 Playa del Carmen and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Vieques Island $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- One Way Private Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Coba: $276
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $227
- Private Transfer to Cenote at Tulum: $213
- Transfers in Lincoln StretchLimo from Puerto Aventuras-Cun Airport.: $194
- Cancun Airport Round Trip transfer to Puerto Aventuras: $190
- 2x1 Tour: Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Open Bar, Lunch and Transfers: $190
- Wedding Transfers Services in Round Trip Playa del Carmen: $180
- Roundtrip Private Transfer Playa del Carmen from CUN: $173
- Private Transfer From Cancún Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $163
- Contoy and Mujeres Islands Tour with Transfer Options: $159
- Tour Bacalar Ponton with Transfer from Cancun & Playa del Carmen : $147
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
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 Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24Vieques Island $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Romantic tour in Akumal: $115
- Tulum Ruins, Turtle Sightseeing & Underground Cenote from Tulum: $140
- VIP Cenote Scuba Tour, Certified Divers Only: $230
- 3 in 1 Private Tour Tulum Cenote and Snorkeling in the reef: $210
- 3D Museum of Wonders Admission Ticket: $42
- 5X1: Tulum and Coba Ruins, Cenote & Mayan Village Full Day Tour : $114
- ATV Adventure with Ziplines Cenote from Playa del Carmen: $75
- ATV Extreme and Snorkel Adventure from the Riviera Maya: $139
- ATV Ride and Secret Caves Tour from Playa del Carmen: $80
- ATV Shared & Ziplines Adventure in Tulum Jungle from Riviera Maya: $133
- ATV Shared, Cavern & Ziplines -Jungle Adventure from Riviera Maya: $158
- ATV Xtreme & Snorkel Experience: $138
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Vieques Island $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island?
Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island?
Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island in the Summer?
Both Vieques Island and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.
In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) 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 JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Vieques Island. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vieques Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Vieques Island. The winter months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.
In the winter, Playa del Carmen is cooler than Vieques Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Vieques Island. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) 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 JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Vieques Island in the Spring?
Both Vieques Island and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Vieques Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 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.