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

Should you visit Punta Cana or Vieques Island?

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

Should I visit Punta Cana 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: Punta Cana or Vieques Island?

Punta Cana

Punta Cana, located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. This Caribbean paradise offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all types of travelers, whether you're on a tight budget, seeking thrilling activities, exploring local cuisine, or figuring out the best ways to get around.

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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Punta Cana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $181, while the average daily cost in Vieques Island is $210. 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 Punta Cana and Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Punta Cana $101
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Punta Cana $202
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana


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: Punta Cana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Punta Cana $6.80
    Vieques Island $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:

  • El Dorado Water Park Entry Ticket with Transfer: $400
  • Coco Bongo Nightclub VIP Entry & Transfers: $400
  • Private Transfer from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo: $270
  • La Romana port transfers (combined transfers: airport-hotel-port): $266
  • private transfer standard and premium punta cana airport to puerto plata: $265
  • Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Transfer: $253
  • Private Round Trip Punta Cana Airport to Uvero Alto Villa/Hotel Transfer: $250
  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Las Terrenas Arrival Private Transfer: $249
  • 1 Hour Beach Photoshoot in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transfer: $240
  • Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Santo Domingo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $239
  • Private VIP SUV Transfer – PUJ Airport to/from Miches Hotels: $235
  • Tesla Transfer from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo: $235

Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Punta Cana 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
    Punta Cana $68
    Vieques Island $94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana

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

  • 3hr Punta Cana Cooking Class: Mofonguitos & Morir Soñando: $85
  • 'Chillo al Coco' Cooking Class & Taino Concept store: $98
  • ATV or Buggy Tour with Swim & Cooking Class: $99
  • "PRIVATE"- Wild Dominican Sancocho Cooking Adventure!: $99
  • Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $108
  • Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $118
  • Unique Night Tour, Cenote Swim, & Dinner: $122
  • Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $139
  • Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $145
  • Private: Nighttime Buggy Ride with Dinner & Open: $145
  • Dinner in the Sky Experience in Punta Cana: $149
  • Night Adventure – Waterfall Pool, Polaris Ride, Surf & Turf Dinner with Drinks: $169

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Punta Cana $32
    Vieques Island $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Punta Cana

Here are a few typical costs in Punta Cana for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Dune Buggy Adventure
    $54

Tours and Activities in Punta Cana

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

  • "Saona Expedition: 4 Beaches Tour from Punta Cana": $100
  • 3 ADVENTURES: Sailing Catamaran Cruise - Hooka Diving - Snorkeling: $105
  • 3 Hours Half Day Tour Buggy Macao Beach cenote Hotel Pickup: $34
  • 3 Hours Panoramic Tour in Punta Cana with Artisan Market: $35
  • 3-Hour Punta Cana Party Boat & Catamaran Cruise: $48
  • 3-in-1 Activity-Buggy-Horse-Zipline-City Tours-Macao Beach: $85
  • 4 Hour Punta Cana Fishing Tour: $97
  • 4 Wheel Adventure Beach and River Ride with Lunch: $135
  • 4 hour deep sea fishing experience from punta cana: $100
  • 4-Hour ATV and Horseback Adventure in Uvero Alto: $130
  • 4-Hour Glass Bottom Boat Experience in Punta Cana: $90
  • 4x4 ATV Tour: Cave Swim & Cultural Experience: $31

Tours and Activities in Vieques Island

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

  • Stargazing and Constellation Shoreline Tour in Vieques: $5.00
  • Half-Day Yunque Rainforest Waterslide & rope swing Guided Tour: $25
  • Authentic El Yunque Rainforest Adventure — Waterfalls & Slides: $35
  • El Yunque Waterslides & Rope Swing Tour w/ Transportation Option: $39
  • Bio Bay Tour Vieques – Full Clear Canoes Experience: $57
  • Charco Frío y Las Tinajas Experience with Provista Tours: $60
  • Vieques island Biobay Kayaking Tour: $60
  • Biobay Vieques Tour Kayak Night Tour: $60
  • Unforgettable One Day Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure in Vieques: $65
  • Puerto Rico Bio Bay Kayak Adventure Tour: $65
  • Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island: $66
  • Puerto Rico Sunset Magic: Bio Bay Kayaking Tour from Fajardo: $67

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Punta Cana $11
    Vieques Island $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Punta Cana

Also in Punta Cana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl in Punta Cana: $35


When comparing the travel costs between Punta Cana 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or Vieques Island?

Punta Cana has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana 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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