Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tampa or Vieques Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tampa 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: Tampa or Vieques Island?
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTampa $179Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $179, 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 Tampa and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTampa $85Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTampa $170Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Tampa and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Tampa 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: Tampa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tampa $69Vieques Island $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tampa hotels: $302
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Transfer tо Tampa Bay Cruise Port: $302
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Private Transfer to Tampa hotel/address: $203
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport TPA to Lakeland/Winter Haven: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg Accommodation: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address : $187
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
- Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Clearwater: $120
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa Bay Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
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 Tampa or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Tampa 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 dayTampa $53Vieques Island $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class near Disney in Tampa Florida: $88
- Ybor City Food Tour On Sundays: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tampa $20Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
- Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $50
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket: $108
- Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour: $30
- Escape to Paradise: Private Island Boat Adventure in Tampa: $630
- Ghost Hunters Paranormal Ghost Tour: $39
- Ghost Investigation Tour Interactive Paranormal Experience 18Plus: $35
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $41
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in a Deluxe Street Legal Golf Cart: $49
- Haunted Tampa Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour - Ybor City: $35
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 dayTampa $26Vieques Island $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200
When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Vieques Island, we can see that Tampa 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. Even though Tampa is in North America and Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampa Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tampa or Vieques Island?
Tampa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Tampa 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 Tampa or Vieques Island?
Tampa 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 Tampa or Vieques Island in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Vieques Island. Many visitors come to Tampa in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) 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 JulyTampa 82°F (28°C)Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tampa or Vieques Island in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Vieques Island. Most visitors come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.
Tampa is cooler than Vieques Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the autumn, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vieques Island. Tampa usually gets less rain in October than Vieques Island. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) 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 OctoberTampa 75°F (24°C)Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tampa or Vieques Island in the Winter?
Both Vieques Island and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tampa because of the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Tampa is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tampa usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) 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 JanuaryTampa 60°F (15°C)Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tampa or Vieques Island in the Spring?
Both Vieques Island and Tampa during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.
In April, Tampa is generally cooler than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the spring, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Vieques Island. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun.
Tampa usually gets less rain in April than Vieques Island. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) 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 AprilTampa 71°F (22°C)Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Tampa
| Tampa | Vieques Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 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.