Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Cuenca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cuenca 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 Cuenca 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: Cuenca or Ponce?
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
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 Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCuenca $42Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Cuenca is $42, 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 Cuenca and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCuenca $13Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCuenca $26Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Cuenca and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Cuenca 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: Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cuenca $11Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Private Transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil.: $104
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 Cuenca or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Cuenca 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 dayCuenca $15Ponce $35
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Private Cooking Class: $125
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.Cuenca $16Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Shared Tour: $25
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $30
- Cuenca-Ec- City Tour with Panama Hat factory Half Day: $30
- Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $40
- Private Cuenca City Tour including Turi Viewpoint: $40
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Experience Historical City Tour: $44
- Cuenca Heritage Complex: Chocolate Tasting, Tour and Museums: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Cuenca, Ecuador Half-Day City Tour: $46
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $48
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 dayCuenca $14Ponce $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 Cuenca and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cuenca Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cuenca or Ponce?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Cuenca 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 Cuenca or Ponce?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Cuenca or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cuenca and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Ponce. Cuenca gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Cuenca is cooler than Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCuenca 22°C (72°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cuenca as well as Ponce. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Cuenca usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Cuenca gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Cuenca is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cuenca in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCuenca 12°C (54°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Cuenca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Cuenca usually receives less rain than Ponce. Cuenca gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite cold in Cuenca in the winter. In January, Cuenca is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Cuenca average around 4°C (39°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCuenca 4°C (39°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Cuenca or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Cuenca during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Cuenca usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Cuenca gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cuenca is much colder than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Cuenca averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCuenca 10°C (50°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Cuenca
| Cuenca | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.