Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz 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 Cruz?
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 Cruz 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 Cruz?
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 Cruz
On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVieques Island $170Santa Cruz $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Vieques Island is $170, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz is $126. 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 Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVieques Island $92Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVieques Island $184Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Vieques Island and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Vieques Island or Santa Cruz? 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 Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vieques Island $30Santa Cruz $40
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 Vieques Island or Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz 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 Cruz $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vieques Island $34Santa Cruz $18
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 Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $190
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided E-bike Tour for Small Groups: $120
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $3.99
- Santa Cruz:City Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVieques Island $30Santa Cruz $8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:
- Sidecar Wine Tour with Guide and Wine Tasting: $199
- Private Brewery Tour: $500
- Private Custom Wine Tour with Hotel Pickup: $750
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vieques Island and Santa Cruz, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Cruz is in North America, 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 Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz.
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 Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vieques Island or Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Vieques Island and Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz?
Santa Cruz 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 Cruz in the Summer?
Both Santa Cruz 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Vieques Island is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
Vieques Island usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVieques Island 29°C (83°F)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
Vieques Island is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°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 Cruz. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVieques Island 28°C (82°F)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as Santa Cruz. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Vieques Island is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vieques Island in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).
Vieques Island usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVieques Island 26°C (78°F)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
Both Santa Cruz 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 are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
In April, Vieques Island is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVieques Island 27°C (80°F)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Vieques Island
| Vieques Island | Santa Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 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.