Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Chapel Hill?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chapel Hill or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Ponce? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Chapel Hill or Ponce?
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.
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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChapel Hill $164Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $164, 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 Chapel Hill and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChapel Hill $95Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChapel Hill $190Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill 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: Chapel Hill Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chapel Hill $34Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $279
- 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 Airport (SJU) to Rio Grande hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Chapel Hill 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 dayChapel Hill $49Ponce $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.Chapel Hill $17Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Chapel Hill
Here are a few actual costs in Chapel Hill for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chapel Hill, NC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Chapel Hill Historic Churches Tour: $16
- Carolina History & Haunts Greensboro Historical Ghost Tour: $20
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Greensboro by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Morning Aerial Adventure Adult Course from Riegelwood: $55
- Raleigh Guided E-Bike Tour: Burgers, Brews, and History too: $107
- Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses: $225
- 8 Hours Private Crystal Coast Sightseeing in North Carolina: $275
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Talking Buildings of Old San Juan: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Footsteps in San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- Salsa Tours PR Sunset Salsa Beach Class in San Juan, Puerto Rico : $29
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Guided City Walking Tour: $32
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Bio Bay Boat Tour with Swimming from La Parguera, Puerto Rico: $50
- Turtle spotting snorkeling adventure- no Jets : $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChapel Hill $40Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Chapel Hill
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chapel Hill:
- Wacky Fayetteville Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
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 Chapel Hill and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Chapel Hill much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill or Ponce?
Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Ponce. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Chapel Hill is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 79°F (26°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Ponce. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChapel Hill 79°F (26°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Ponce. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Chapel Hill is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the autumn, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChapel Hill 61°F (16°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. In the winter, Chapel Hill is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chapel Hill in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Ponce. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChapel Hill 40°F (5°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In April, Chapel Hill is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 60°F (16°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the spring, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChapel Hill 60°F (16°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Chapel Hill
| Chapel Hill | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.