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

Should you visit Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas 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: Puerto Varas or Vieques Island?

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.


Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Puerto Varas?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, 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 Puerto Varas and Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Varas $67
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Varas $134
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas


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: Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Varas $21
    Vieques Island $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:

  • Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
  • Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
  • Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
  • Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21

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 Puerto Varas or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Puerto Varas 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
    Puerto Varas $25
    Vieques Island $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Varas $19
    Vieques Island $34

Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas

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

  • Adventure Fullday Tour Osorno Volcano and Saltos de Petrohue National Park: $150
  • From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
  • From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
  • Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
  • Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
  • Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
  • Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
  • Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
  • Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
  • Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
  • Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $100
  • Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62

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
    Puerto Varas $6.51
    Vieques Island $30


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

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


Which is Bigger, Puerto Varas or Vieques Island?

Puerto Varas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas or Vieques Island?

Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas or Vieques Island in the Summer?

Both Vieques Island and Puerto Varas during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

Puerto Varas is much colder than Vieques Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Puerto Varas. In the summer, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than Vieques Islandin July. Puerto Varas gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.

Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Islandin July. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F) 
    Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Puerto Varas or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and Vieques Island. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Puerto Varas is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Puerto Varas in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during autumn. Puerto Varas gets 104 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. Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Puerto Varas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vieques Islandin October. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F) 
    Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Puerto Varas or Vieques Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as Vieques Island. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

In July, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than Vieques Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 7°C (45°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In the winter, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than Vieques Islandin January. Puerto Varas gets 67 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.

Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the winter. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Islandin January. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F) 
    Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Puerto Varas or Vieques Island in the Spring?

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

Puerto Varas is much colder than Vieques Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during spring. Puerto Varas gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. In October, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than Vieques Islandin April. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F) 
    Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas Vieques Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)


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