Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago or Vieques Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santiago and Vieques Island. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Santiago or Vieques Island?
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $141Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $141, 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 Santiago and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $110Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $220Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Santiago 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: Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.41Vieques Island $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $237
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Transfer from Valparaiso or San Antonio Port + Condor Watching Tour: $230
- Santiago Private Transfer: Santiago Airport to San Antonio Cruise Port : $216
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
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 Santiago or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Santiago 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 daySantiago $13Vieques Island $54
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $47Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Colchagua Valley Tour & Tasting: $270
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.: $195
- Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.41Vieques Island $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago 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 Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago 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 Santiago.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Vieques Island?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 520 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Santiago 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 Santiago or Vieques Island?
Santiago 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 Santiago or Vieques Island in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Vieques Island. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.
Santiago is cooler than Vieques Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.
Santiago usually gets less rain in January than Vieques Islandin July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 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 January and JulySantiago 21°C (70°F)Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Vieques Island in the Autumn?
Both Vieques Island and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Santiago is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In April, Santiago usually receives less rain than Vieques Islandin October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Vieques Island in the Winter?
Both Vieques Island and Santiago during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.
In July, Santiago is generally much colder than Vieques Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 9°C (48°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Santiago usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Islandin January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 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 July and JanuarySantiago 9°C (48°F)Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Vieques Island in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Vieques Island. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Santiago is much colder than Vieques Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
In October, Santiago usually receives less rain than Vieques Islandin April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Santiago
| Santiago | Vieques Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.