Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Akureyri?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Akureyri or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Ponce, 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: Akureyri or Ponce?
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
Ponce
Ponce is on the south coast of Puerto Rico. It's the second largest city on the island and has been around since 1692 when it was originally founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de Leon y Loayza. The city has several nicknames, including La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South), La Ciudad Senorial (The Noble, or Lordly, City), and La Ciudad de las Quenepas (Genip City).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
-
Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $191Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $191, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $230. 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 Akureyri and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $103Ponce $151
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $206Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Ponce? 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: Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $29
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $126
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Akureyri 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 dayAkureyri $71Ponce $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Latin Night with Dinner and Local Music with Transportation: $59
- Puerto Rico Art and Wine Dinner with One Way Transportation: $89
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Island Authentic Food Tour : $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Icelandic Aviation Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- War and Peace Museum - Tour: $24
- Godafoss Waterfall Short Day Tour from Akureyri: $65
- Snowshoeing Experience and Storytelling in Héðinsfjörður: $78
- Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included: $78
- Guided Sit on Top Kayak Tour: $79
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $82
- Short Riding Tour with Eye-Catching Photos at Waterfall: $82
- Zipline Tour: $95
- Zipline Adventure Through Glerárgil River Canyon in Akureyri Town: $95
- Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated : $98
- Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tour : $100
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Prive Tours in Puerto Rico: $40
- Las Tinajas Waterfall: Guided Short Hike Adventure from Fajardo: $55
- Walking Guided Tour of History and Myths of Old San Juan : $60
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- Half-Day Small-Group River Experience in El Yunque with Local : $68
- El Yunque Rainforest, Waterslides & Beach Tour from San Juan: $75
- Party Bus Experience in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $79
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Ponce
Also in Ponce, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Artisan Puertorrican Winery and Distillery Tour: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Akureyri much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Ponce 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 Akureyri would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Akureyri 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 Ponce would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ponce than you might in Akureyri.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Ponce, 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 Akureyri or Ponce?
Akureyri has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ponce experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Akureyri or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Akureyri is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Akureyri in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Ponce. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Akureyri. In October, Akureyri is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around 3°C (38°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the autumn, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Akureyri usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Akureyri can get quite cold in the winter. Akureyri is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around -2°C (28°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Akureyri usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Akureyri during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Akureyri can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Akureyri is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Akureyri in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
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.