Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Vieques Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Vieques Island, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Vieques Island?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Vieques Island $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
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 Punta del Este or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31Vieques Island $54
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $292
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
Tours and Activities in Vieques Island
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.
- 1-Hour Bioluminescent Boat Tour in Mosquito Bay, Vieques : $128
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $65
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $72
- Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo: $65
- Culebra Island Snorkel with Turtles Adventure - Ferry Tickets Included: $135
- El Yunque Waterfalls and Waterslide River Tour: $50
- Fajardo Afternoon Snorkeling Boat Tour: $110
- Full-Day Snorkeling Tour to Culebra Island with Lunch: $139
- Half Day Adventure Private Tour in El Yunque Rainforest: $234
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $45
- Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour : $125
- Isla de Vieques Beach Sightseeing Day Tour: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Vieques Island $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Punta del Este much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Vieques Island?
Vieques Island has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Vieques Island?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Vieques Island in the Summer?
Both Vieques Island and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Punta del Este is generally cooler than Vieques Islandin July. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 23°C (73°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Vieques Islandin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Vieques Island in the Autumn?
Both Vieques Island and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.
Punta del Este is much colder than Vieques Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Vieques Islandin October. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun.
Vieques Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than Vieques Islandin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Vieques Island in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Vieques Island. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Punta del Este is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Punta del Este in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Vieques Islandin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Vieques Island in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Vieques Island. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.
In October, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Vieques Islandin April. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 16°C (61°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Vieques Islandin April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Vieques Islandin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Vieques Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.