Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Brussels?
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 Brussels 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 Brussels 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: Brussels or Ponce?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Belgium.
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Brussels Prices
Belgium PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels $193Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is $193, 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 Brussels and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels $86Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels $172Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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: Brussels Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels $20Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass$5.28
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Atomium train ticket (2)$9.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Brussels Airport (BRU) Transfer to Brussels/Ghent/Antwerp/Brugge: $35
- Brussels to Brussels Airport (BRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $76
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Mons (1 to 8 PLACES): $77
- Transfer Shuttle Brussels South Station <-> Mons (1-8 SEATS): $77
- Shuttle transfer Brussels Gare du Midi <-> Mons (1 to 8 PLACES): $77
- Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels city centre to Brussels Airport (BRU): $81
- Transfer Brussels Midi Station <-> Bruges (1 - 8 PL): $96
- Private Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $100
- Airport Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $102
- Brussels Airport Transfer (BRU) <-> to or from Brussels (Sedan): $114
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Brussels: $120
- Shuttle transfer Brussels <-> Lille (1 to 8 PLACES): $122
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 Brussels or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Brussels 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 dayBrussels $77Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons$5.40
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)$5.57
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Cheese$6.57
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Olives and Snacks$8.19
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Waffle$3.52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Experience Authentic Belgian Cuisine: Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Ghent Local: $99
- Brussels Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $119
- Brussels Food Tour: 10 Tastings of Waffles, Beers, Fries & More: $133
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $179
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels $27Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Brussels Hidden Delights A Self Guided Epicurean Adventure: $1.79
- Brussels Walking Tour with Guide plus PDF: $3.59
- Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Brussels: $3.59
- The Most Complete Tour Of Brussels: $3.59
- Self Guided Tours Brussels With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
- Free Tour of Brussels in English (with booking fee) : $3.59
- Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels - by Legends: $3.59
- Brussels Old City’s Highlights Walking Tour: $4.81
- Brussels (EU Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.81
- Brussels Land of Comics: Self-Guided Tour and Puzzle Quest: $6.00
- Leuven Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $6.45
- Brussels Brain Quest: Exploration Game and Tour: $6.60
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels $15Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$12
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Beer$7.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Discovery of the La Senne Brewery: $31
- Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Brewery-Distillery: $79
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 Brussels and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels 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 Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Brussels.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or Ponce?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels or Ponce?
Brussels 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 Brussels or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Ponce. Most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Brussels is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°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. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Brussels usually receives less rain than Ponce. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Ponce. The autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In October, Brussels is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°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, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Brussels usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. Brussels is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Ponce. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Brussels during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the spring, Brussels is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Brussels
| Brussels | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 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.