Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Ponce. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Ponce?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $205. 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 Big Pine Key and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $189
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $60
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $92
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $42Ponce $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Food Tour : $130
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- Scuba Boat Diving Experience in Gilligan's Island at Copamarina: $160
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 2-Hour Private UTV Can-Am Beach Tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $264
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
- 5 hours Tour in La Parguera Private Boat Charter: $200
- 7 Hours River Tour with Beach and Learn to Make Piña Colada : $195
- 90 Minute Portrait Photoshoot Experience in the Caribbean: $129
- ATV Adventure at Hacienda Campo Rico: $136
- Adventure Trail Tour in the foothills of the National Rainforest: $110
- Afro-Boriken-Loiza: Food, Cave & Art Tour: $140
- All Inclusive Cordillera Cay’s Sailing Catamaran Beach & Snorkeling Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Ponce $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
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Tour: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Big Pine Key is in North America 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 Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key or Ponce?
Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Ponce. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In January, Big Pine Key is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Ponce. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Ponce during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Ponce. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 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.