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

Should you visit New Bern or Vieques Island?

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

Should I visit New Bern 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: New Bern or Vieques Island?

New Bern

New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since New Bern 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 New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 New Bern.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Vieques Island?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern or Vieques Island?

New Bern 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 New Bern or Vieques Island in the Summer?

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

In the summer, New Bern is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 29°C (83°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

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

In October, New Bern is generally much colder than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Vieques Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Vieques Island in the Winter?

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

New Bern is much colder than Vieques Island in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Vieques Island in the Spring?

Both Vieques Island and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, New Bern is much colder than Vieques Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 27°C (80°F).

In April, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vieques Island. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vieques Island and New Bern