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

Should you visit Panama City or Vieques Island?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Panama City 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: Panama City or Vieques Island?

Panama City

As the tropical breeze kisses your face amidst the never-ending rows of palm trees and high-rise beach condos, you find both pleasure and peace in this popular beach vacation spot. Such a city could be no place else than Panama City, Florida, located on the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf Coast. The entire region is known for it's calm beach with white sand, blue water, and spring break and summer vacation fun. Panama City offers a multitude of hotels, parks, beaches, and restaurants to make it a prime destination to both party and relax. However, as you explore the city, you will find that Panama City acquires its own diverse, vibrant character unique to other beach towns. Bring out the fishing rods and boogie boards and take advantage of one of Florida's most popular destinations! It's a great destination for families, kids, younger travelers, singles, couples, and retirees alike.

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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Panama City and Vieques Island, we can see that Panama City is more expensive. And not only is Vieques Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Panama City 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 Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City 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 Panama City Expensive? and Is Vieques Island Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Panama City or Vieques Island?

Panama City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Panama City 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 Panama City or Vieques Island?

Panama City 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 Panama City or Vieques Island in the Summer?

Both Vieques Island and Panama City during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Panama City this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round.

Panama City is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, 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 Panama City. In the summer, Panama City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vieques Island. Panama City gets 283 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 Panama City. Panama City usually gets more rain in July than Vieques Island. Panama City gets 7.3 inches (184 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Vieques Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Panama City and Vieques Island. Many travelers come to Panama City for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Panama City is cooler than Vieques Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Panama City in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Vieques Island averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In Panama City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Vieques Island during autumn. Panama City gets 256 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, Panama City usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Panama City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Panama City or Vieques Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Panama City as well as Vieques Island. Many visitors come to Panama City in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.

In January, Panama City is generally much colder than Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Panama City average around 52°F (11°C), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In the winter, Panama City often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Panama City gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun.

Panama City usually gets more rain in January than Vieques Island. Panama City gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Panama City or Vieques Island in the Spring?

Both Vieques Island and Panama City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Panama City for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Panama City is cooler than Vieques Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Panama City averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, 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 Panama City. Panama City usually receives more sunshine than Vieques Island during spring. Panama City gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Panama City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vieques Island. Panama City gets 2.7 inches (69 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 Panama City