Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Vieques Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vieques Island or Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Vieques Island and Santa Barbara 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: Vieques Island or Santa Barbara?
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!
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVieques Island $170Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Vieques Island is $170, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $162. 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 Vieques Island and Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVieques Island $92Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVieques Island $184Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Vieques Island and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Vieques Island or Santa Barbara? 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 Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vieques Island $30Santa Barbara $42
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Vieques Island or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara and Vieques Island 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 dayVieques Island $54Santa Barbara $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vieques Island $34Santa Barbara $27
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
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- 5 STARS: "Where The Locals Go!" Nature-History Tour: $95
- Authentic Funk Zone Tour: $125
- City & Sand Electric Bike Tour: $105
- Coastline Kayak Tour near Santa Barbara with Knowledgeable Guide: $122
- Downtown SB Walking Food & Drink Tour: $175
- Electric Bike Adventure in Santa Barbara Wine Country: $83
- Epic Zipline Tour Over The Santa Ynez Valley: $139
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- Montecito Coastline Electric Bike Guided Tour: $125
- Private Helicopter Tour in Santa Barbara: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVieques Island $30Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- Solvang Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $185
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley: $199
- Wine Tasting Tour in Santa Ynez Valley (All-Inclusive & Full-Day): $215
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $219
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Tour (We Drive Your Vehicle): $300
When comparing the travel costs between Vieques Island and Santa Barbara, we can see that Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Barbara is in North America, 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 Vieques Island Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vieques Island or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Vieques Island and Santa Barbara, 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 Vieques Island or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara 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 Vieques Island or Santa Barbara in the Summer?
Both Santa Barbara and Vieques Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Vieques Island is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vieques Island in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).
Vieques Island usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVieques Island 29°C (83°F)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and Santa Barbara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Vieques Island is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Vieques Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVieques Island 28°C (82°F)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as Santa Barbara. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vieques Island is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Vieques Island usually gets less rain in January than Santa Barbara. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVieques Island 26°C (78°F)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
Both Santa Barbara and Vieques Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the spring, Vieques Island is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vieques Island in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).
In April, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVieques Island 27°C (80°F)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Vieques Island
| Vieques Island | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
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.