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

Should you visit Vieques Island or Fairbanks?

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 Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks?

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!

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Vieques Island?

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

  • Vieques Island Prices
    Puerto Rico Prices
    Fairbanks Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Vieques Island $210
    Fairbanks $318

The average daily cost (per person) in Vieques Island is $210, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $318. 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 Fairbanks in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vieques Island $92
    Fairbanks $154
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vieques Island $184
    Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Vieques Island and Fairbanks

Looking for a hotel in Vieques Island or Fairbanks? 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 Vieques Island


Hotels in Fairbanks


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: Fairbanks Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vieques Island $30
    Fairbanks $66

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:


  • Full Tank of Gas
    $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Vieques Island or Fairbanks?

Prices for flights to both Fairbanks 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vieques Island $94
    Fairbanks $109

Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks

For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing
    $63
  • Totem Inn Breakfast for Two
    $46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks

For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Aurora Viewing and Dinner : $120
  • Late Night Yurt Dinner and Northern Lights: $210
  • "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
  • Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $270
  • Northern Lights Adventure with Photos & HOT PIZZA: $300
  • Moonlight Dog Sled, Dinner & Northern Lights: $320

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vieques Island $34
    Fairbanks $65

Tours and Activities in Vieques Island

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

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • The Riverboat Discovery Trip
    $55
  • 1 Day Mountain Bike Rental
    $27
  • Canoe Rental with Pickup
    $56

Tours and Activities in Fairbanks

For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day Shared Tour Arctic Circle and Aurora Viewing in Alaska: $150
  • 1 Hour Fall Sled Dog Experience in Two Rivers: $130
  • 1 Hour Snowmobile Adventure in Boreal Forest: $159
  • 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $58
  • 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $145
  • 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $114
  • Alaska: Private Northern Lights Viewing Tour: $495
  • Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks: $165
  • Arctic Circle Adventure: Journey on the Dalton Highway: $275
  • Arctic Circle Day Tour Adventure: $299
  • Arctic Circle Full-Day Adventure from Fairbanks: $285
  • Aurora Chaser Tour: $161

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vieques Island $30
    Fairbanks $27


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


Which is Bigger, Vieques Island or Fairbanks?

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

Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and Fairbanks. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round. Also, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Vieques Island is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vieques Island in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).

In July, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vieques Island 29°C (83°F) 
    Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Vieques Island or Fairbanks in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as Fairbanks. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Fairbanks can be very cold during autumn. In October, Vieques Island is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 28°C (82°F), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).

Vieques Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Vieques Island usually gets more rain in October than Fairbanks. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vieques Island 28°C (82°F) 
    Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)

Should I visit Vieques Island or Fairbanks in the Winter?

Both Fairbanks and Vieques Island are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Fairbanks can be very cold. Vieques Island is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).

In January, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vieques Island 26°C (78°F) 
    Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)

Should I visit Vieques Island or Fairbanks in the Spring?

Both Fairbanks and Vieques Island during the spring 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, the natural beauty are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.

It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the spring. In the spring, Vieques Island is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vieques Island in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).

Vieques Island usually gets more rain in April than Fairbanks. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vieques Island 27°C (80°F) 
    Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)

Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Vieques Island

Vieques Island Fairbanks
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) -9°F (-23°C) 0.5 inches (13 mm)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) -2°F (-19°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 13°F (-11°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 32°F (0°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 50°F (10°C) 0.6 inches (16 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 62°F (16°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 64°F (18°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 47°F (8°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 27°F (-3°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 4°F (-15°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) -5°F (-21°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm)