Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum 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 Tulum 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: Tulum or Vieques Island?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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: Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Vieques Island $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $182
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
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 Tulum or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Vieques Island $54
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Vieques Island $34
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Cenote and Zipline Adventure from Tulum: $119
- ATV Extreme Adventure Single with Ziplines and Cenote Swim: $137
- ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tulum Pickup: $75
- ATV Tour with Ziplines and Cenote Swim Experience in Quintana Roo: $59
- Adventure Tulum: $105
- Adventure in the Mayan Jungle with ATV and Zip Line in Tulum: $90
Tours and Activities in Vieques Island
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.
- Puerto Rico Guided Adventure in El Yunque Rainforest: $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 dayTulum $25Vieques Island $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tulum or Vieques Island?
Vieques Island has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Vieques Island?
Tulum 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 Tulum or Vieques Island in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Vieques Island. The summer months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.
In the summer, Tulum is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tulum in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the summer, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tulum usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 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 JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Vieques Island in the Autumn?
Both Vieques Island and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. It's quite rainy in Tulum. In October, Tulum usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Vieques Island in the Winter?
Both Vieques Island and Tulum during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the winter, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.
Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 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 JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Vieques Island in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Vieques Island. Many visitors come to Tulum in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Tulum is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tulum in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tulum usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Tulum
| Tulum | Vieques Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.