Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce?
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $68Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $68, 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 Colonia del Sacramento and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $34Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $68Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento 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: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15
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 Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Colonia del Sacramento 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 dayColonia del Sacramento $19Ponce $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sensory Experience - Blind dinner in Colonia Del Sacramento: $95
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.Colonia del Sacramento $24Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Walking tour around Colonia del Sacramento Old Town: $15
- Goup Walking Tour - Spanish Only: $18
- Shared City Tour at sunset in Historic Neighborhood: $20
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
- Hike at promenade + entry ticket to bullring (Walk 5.5km): $28
- Winery tour with shared transport and tasting included: $38
- Shared Boat Tour Experience - Colonia del Sacramento: $43
- Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $53
- Full gastronomic experience: Uruguayan meat,cheese and wine: $55
- Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $58
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
- From Horse Ride Experience: $72
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 dayColonia del Sacramento $5.85Ponce $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 Colonia del Sacramento and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Colonia del Sacramento is in South 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 Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Colonia del Sacramento Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce?
Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In the summer, Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Colonia del Sacramento this time of the year. In the summer, Colonia del Sacramento often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Poncein July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in January than Poncein July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyColonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Colonia del Sacramento 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 April, Colonia del Sacramento is generally much colder than Poncein October. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 18°C (65°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 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 Colonia del Sacramento. In April, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than Poncein October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberColonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Colonia del Sacramento during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than Poncein January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in July than Poncein January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryColonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Colonia del Sacramento gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than Poncein April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilColonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Colonia del Sacramento
| Colonia del Sacramento | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 89 mm (3.5 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.