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

Should you visit Vieques Island or Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg?

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!

Gatlinburg

Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vieques Island and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vieques Island or Gatlinburg?

Vieques Island has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Vieques Island and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?

Both Gatlinburg and Vieques Island are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking during these months.

In July, Vieques Island is generally around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 29°C (83°F), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. Vieques Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg during summer. Vieques Island gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. In July, Vieques Island usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vieques Island or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

Both Gatlinburg and Vieques Island during the autumn 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 autumn months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Vieques Island is much warmer than Gatlinburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. In the autumn, Vieques Island often gets more sunshine than Gatlinburg. Vieques Island gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. Vieques Island usually gets more rain in October than Gatlinburg. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vieques Island or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and Gatlinburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round. Furthermore, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Gatlinburg in the winter. In the winter, Vieques Island is much warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vieques Island in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Gatlinburg averages at about 40°F (5°C).

In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vieques Island usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during winter. Vieques Island gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vieques Island usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vieques Island or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as Gatlinburg. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Vieques Island is generally much warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 27°C (80°F), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. In the spring, Vieques Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg. Vieques Island gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun.

Vieques Island usually gets less rain in April than Gatlinburg. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Vieques Island