A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cesis vs. Ponce for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cesis or Ponce?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Ponce 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: Cesis or Ponce?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

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).

Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Cesis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is $162, 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 Cesis and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cesis $56
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cesis $112
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Cesis 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.

Hotels in Cesis


Hotels in Ponce


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cesis $35
    Ponce $10

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 Cesis or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Cesis 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 day
    Cesis $84
    Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Cesis

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:


  • Lunch in town for two
    $7.83

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.
    Cesis $19
    Ponce $56

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 day
    Cesis $20
    Ponce $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 Cesis and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Cesis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cesis 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 Cesis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cesis 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 Cesis.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cesis Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cesis or Ponce?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis 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 Cesis or Ponce?

Cesis 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 Cesis or Ponce in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Ponce. The summer months attract visitors to Cesis because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cesis is much colder than Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In July, Cesis usually receives less rain than Ponce. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cesis 17°C (63°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Ponce. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cesis this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

In the autumn, Cesis is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cesis in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Ponce. Cesis usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cesis 7°C (45°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Ponce in the Winter?

Both Ponce and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cesis for the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cesis. In January, Cesis is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around -5°C (23°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In January, Cesis usually receives less rain than Ponce. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cesis -5°C (23°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Cesis during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cesis in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

Cesis is much colder than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cesis 5°C (42°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Cesis

Cesis Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)