A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chapel Hill vs. Vieques Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Vieques Island?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Chapel Hill 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: Chapel Hill or Vieques Island?

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.

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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Chapel Hill?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Chapel Hill Prices
    USA Prices
    Vieques Island Prices
    Puerto Rico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Chapel Hill $200
    Vieques Island $210

The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $200, while the average daily cost in Vieques Island is $210. 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 Chapel Hill and Vieques Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chapel Hill $95
    Vieques Island $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chapel Hill $190
    Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Vieques Island

Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill 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.

Hotels in Chapel Hill


Hotels in Vieques Island


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: Chapel Hill Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chapel Hill $34
    Vieques Island $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Vieques Island?

Prices for flights to both Vieques Island and Chapel Hill 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chapel Hill $84
    Vieques Island $94

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chapel Hill $17
    Vieques Island $34

Tours and Activities in Vieques Island

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.

  • Vieques Biobay Kayaking Tour: $60
  • Unforgettable One Day Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure in Vieques: $60
  • El Yunque Rainforest Tour: Natural Waterslides Adventure : $65
  • Bio Bay Tour Vieques – Full Clear Canoes Experience: $65
  • Biobay Vieques Tour Kayak Night Tour: $65
  • Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island: $66
  • CLEAR BOTTOM KAYAKS Tour in Bioluminescent, Mosquito Bay: $67
  • Isla de Vieques Beach Hopper Sightseeing Tour: $90
  • 1-Hour Bioluminescent Boat Tour in Mosquito Bay, Vieques : $100
  • Full Clear Kayak Bioluminescent Experience Vieques, Puerto Rico: $110
  • Vieques Island Rich History Tour : $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chapel Hill $40
    Vieques Island $30


When comparing the travel costs between Chapel Hill and Vieques Island, 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Vieques Island?

Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill or Vieques Island?

Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill or Vieques Island in the Summer?

Both Vieques Island and Chapel Hill during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

In July, Chapel Hill is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 79°F (26°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C) 
    Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Vieques Island. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Chapel Hill is much colder than Vieques Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vieques Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Chapel Hill usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C) 
    Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Vieques Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Vieques Island. The winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. In the winter, Chapel Hill is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chapel Hill in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C) 
    Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Vieques Island in the Spring?

Both Vieques Island and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Chapel Hill is generally much colder than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 60°F (16°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Vieques Island. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C) 
    Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Vieques Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)


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