Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis or Ponce?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorianopolis $62Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, 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 Florianopolis and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
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 Florianopolis or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $22Ponce $35
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Snack$0.44
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.Florianopolis $26Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Private Tour: The 7 Most Preserved Beaches on the South Island by Floripa Nativa: $39
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42
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 dayFlorianopolis $8.68Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
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Beer$0.59
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 Florianopolis and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florianopolis Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Ponce?
Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Ponce?
Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Florianopolis is cooler than Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the summer, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Poncein July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Poncein July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 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 JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Florianopolis 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 the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 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. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Poncein October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 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 OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In July, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Poncein January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Poncein January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Poncein January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 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 JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Florianopolis is cooler than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Poncein April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 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 AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.