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

Should you visit Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Everglades National Park or Ponce?

Everglades National Park

Mangroves cluster about you as you gaze in awe at the splashes of oranges and reds that paint the evening sky. As cicadas hum to ancient tunes and birds swoop through the cloudless sky, a sense of serenity is instilled in you as you remain in the midst of United States' largest tropical wilderness, the Everglades National Park. Receiving over one million visitors each year, this park protects over twenty-percent of the original everglades. Unlike most national parks whose purpose relied solely in preserving geographic features, Everglades National Park was created to preserve the fragile, ever endangered ecosystem of the everglades. Declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, Everglades National Park holds an array of activities for all to pursue no matter what their interests may be. Whether you are an avid bicyclist or a meager hiker, the Everglades National Park will keep you entertained from the early blush of morning into the depths of the night.

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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $146, 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 Everglades National Park and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park


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.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $279
  • Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $189
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
  • Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
  • San Juan Airport (SJU) to Rio Grande hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
  • Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $92
  • 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
  • Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
  • Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
  • Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Everglades National Park 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
    Everglades National Park $31
    Ponce $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $48
  • 2 Hour Chokoloskee Island Kayak Tour: $80
  • Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours): $120
  • Two-Hour Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour: $120
  • 4 Hour Everglades Kayak Tour: $120
  • 6 Hour Everglades Mangroves Kayak Tour: $200

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    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
  • 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 Everglades National Park and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Everglades National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park.

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



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Ponce?

Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park or Ponce in the Summer?

Both Ponce and Everglades National Park during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In July, Everglades National Park is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 82°F (28°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the summer, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Ponce. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in July than Ponce. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Ponce. Many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Everglades National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Ponce in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Ponce. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the museums and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

In the winter, Everglades National Park is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Everglades National Park in January average around 67°F (19°C), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the winter, Everglades National Park often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ponce. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Everglades National Park is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 74°F (24°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Ponce during spring. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Ponce. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)


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