Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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.
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Should you visit Vieques Island or Santa Monica?
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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
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!
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
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.
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Vieques Island Prices
Puerto Rico PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVieques Island $210Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Vieques Island is $210, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $248. 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 Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVieques Island $92Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVieques Island $184Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Vieques Island and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in Vieques Island or Santa Monica? 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.
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: Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vieques Island $30Santa Monica $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Vieques Island or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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
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Food Meals for one dayVieques Island $94Santa Monica $91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $74
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vieques Island $34Santa Monica $38
Tours and Activities in Vieques Island
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.
- Vieques Biobay Kayaking Tour: $60
- Unforgettable One Day Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure in Vieques: $60
- El Yunque Rainforest Tour: Natural Waterslides Adventure : $65
- Bio Bay Tour Vieques – Full Clear Canoes Experience: $65
- Biobay Vieques Tour Kayak Night Tour: $65
- Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island: $66
- CLEAR BOTTOM KAYAKS Tour in Bioluminescent, Mosquito Bay: $67
- Isla de Vieques Beach Hopper Sightseeing Tour: $90
- 1-Hour Bioluminescent Boat Tour in Mosquito Bay, Vieques : $100
- Full Clear Kayak Bioluminescent Experience Vieques, Puerto Rico: $110
- Vieques Island Rich History Tour : $125
- Fajardo, Puerto Rico: Morning Snorkeling Beach Tour : $133
Tours and Activities in Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- 1934 Classic MotorSailer Experience Timeless Elegance and History: $240
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- 3 Hour Private Jeep Tour of Santa Monica: $200
- 4-Hour Los Angeles Tour With Guide And Hotel Pickup: $131
- Bring Your Own Beverages One Hour Harbor Cruise: $80
- City Cruises Los Angeles Brunch Cruise from Marina del Rey: $129
- City Cruises Marina del Rey: Sights and Sips Cruise Tour : $69
- City Tour of Los Angeles from Torrance and El Segundo: $122
- E-Boat Ride in Marina Del Rey Boat Tour Experience: $85
- Exotic Tijuana Massage Tour in LA: $250
- Full Day Iconic Sites Tour of LA from Santa Monica with Six Stops: $99
- Greater Los Angeles and Hollywood Private Tour.: $298
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVieques Island $30Santa Monica $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
- Vintage VW Hippie Shared Tour to Malibu with Wine Tasting: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vieques Island and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vieques Island or Santa Monica?
Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vieques Island. When comparing the sizes of Vieques Island and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?
Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica in the Summer?
Both Santa Monica and Vieques Island during the summer 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, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Vieques Island is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
Vieques Island usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVieques Island 29°C (83°F)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Vieques Island is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vieques Island in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).
Vieques Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVieques Island 28°C (82°F)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Monica in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as Santa Monica. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Vieques Island is generally much warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Vieques Island usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVieques Island 26°C (78°F)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Santa Monica in the Spring?
Both Santa Monica and Vieques Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
Vieques Island is much warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
In April, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVieques Island 27°C (80°F)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Vieques Island
| Vieques Island | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.