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

Should you visit Gainesville or Vieques Island?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Vieques Island, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Gainesville or Vieques Island?

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Vieques Island, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Vieques Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gainesville 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 Vieques Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vieques Island 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Vieques Island.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gainesville Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Vieques Island?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Vieques Island?

Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Vieques Island in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Vieques Island. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

In the summer, Gainesville is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gainesville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

Both Vieques Island and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Gainesville is generally cooler than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 71°F (22°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Should I visit Gainesville or Vieques Island in the Winter?

Both Vieques Island and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

Gainesville is much colder than Vieques Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 54°F (12°C) in January, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Gainesville usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Vieques Island in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Vieques Island. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Gainesville is cooler than Vieques Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gainesville in April average around 69°F (20°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 27°C (80°F).

In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Gainesville