Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Santa Marta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta 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: Santa Marta or Vieques Island?
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a city in the Magdalena Department of Colombia's Costa Norte. Over the last decade, security has steadily been replacing the shadow of the Colombia's violent past. One destination in Colombia's northeast region is now attracting more international visitors: the coastal Caribbean area of Santa Marta. Established in 1525 by the Spanish as a base of conquest, Santa Marta sits at the foot of the world's highest coastal mountain range, the towering Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast. While many travelers complain about Santa Marta's horrible traffic and unsightly urban sprawl, the city holds a numerous amounts of great hotels, bars and restaurants and holds a few fantastic destinations nearby to which you can go during the daytime.
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 Colombia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Colombia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Marta $32Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Marta is $32, 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 Santa Marta and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Marta $14Vieques Island $92
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Marta $28Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Santa Marta and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Santa Marta 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: Santa Marta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Marta $5.27Vieques Island $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santa Marta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santa Marta:
-
Gas$5.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Marta
Also for Santa Marta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cartagena / Santa Marta Transfer: $328
- 1.Transfer to TAYRONA park from Cartagena Private or Viceversa.: $256
- Barranquilla / Santa Marta Transfer: $236
- Exclusive transfer Santa Marta - Cartagena: $229
- Private transfer between Santa Marta and Barranquilla (or viceversa): $180
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer Santa Marta to Palomino (or vice versa): $121
- Private Transfer: From Santa Marta to Tayrona Park (Palomino): $110
- Tayrona / Santa Marta Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Port to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $76
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $76
- Private Transfer from Santa Marta Cruise Port to Cartagena hotels: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vieques Island
Also for Vieques Island, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi Transfer From San Juan Airport to El Conquistador Hotel: $115
- Private Transfer Fajardo or Ceiba to San Juan Airport: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Marta or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Santa Marta 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 daySanta Marta $10Vieques Island $54
Typical Food Prices in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Breakfast$3.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Marta Walking Food Tour: $40
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day : $66
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $74
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Marta $14Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Santa Marta
For Santa Marta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Chocoserrano" Chocolate Tour 1 day - Santa Marta: $115
- "Gabo Márquez" Tour - Aracataca and Cienaga: $205
- 2 days 1 night tour - in Trompito, I meet indigenous community Kogui Uldezhaxa.: $190
- 2-Day Cultural Tour to Gotsezhy from Santa Marta: $198
- 2-Day Tour to Ancestral Heritage from Santa Marta: $190
- 4 Days Adventure; Medellin to Santa Marta- Beach of the Dead: $374
- 4 Days Adventure; Medellin to Santa Marta- Beach of the Dead: $330
- Amazing full day tour to Minca with a private guide: $178
- Ancestral Thought Tour (Indigenous life in Kogui people) Santa Marta: $192
- Aracataca And Ciénaga - Gabriel García Márquez Tour: $54
- Archeological Tour in Taironaka with River Tubing and a small Lost City: $278
- Authentic experience with the Sewiaxa Kogui community and the River 1 day.: $95
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Marta $6.71Vieques Island $30
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Marta
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santa Marta from other travelers:
-
Beer$0.58
-
Beer$2.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Marta and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Santa Marta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Marta Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Marta or Vieques Island?
Santa Marta has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Santa Marta 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.
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.