Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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: Fort Lauderdale or Ponce?
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.
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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort Lauderdale $182Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $182, 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 Fort Lauderdale and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort Lauderdale $96Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort Lauderdale $192Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale 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: Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort Lauderdale $51Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Delray Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Transfer Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) -City: $40
- Port Everglades to Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL-Departure Transfer: $40
- Port Everglades to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer : $40
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Port Everglades-Arrival Transfer: $40
- Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport (MIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Doral hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boca Raton - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Port Everglades Private Transfer from Weston: $58
- Miami Airport and Seaport Private Transfer (up to 14 passengers): $60
- Fort Lauderdale Airport Private Transfer (Up To 14 Passengers): $60
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 Fort Lauderdale or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Fort Lauderdale 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 dayFort Lauderdale $49Ponce $35
Typical Food Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
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Quick Lunch$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- Food Tour in Lauderdale By The Sea: $60
- Hollywood Florida Walking Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner & Drinks Tour: $109
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner and Drinks Tour: $114
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $114
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.Fort Lauderdale $15Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Audio Walking Tour of Las Olas Riverwalk: $7.31
- Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Self-guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Davie by Crazy Dash: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pompano Beach by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pompano Beach by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Skip the Line: Flamingo Gardens Admission Ticket in Fort Lauderdale: $24
- 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale (arrive 30 minutes early): $25
- Ghosts and Ghouls Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter: $29
- Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale: $31
- Carrie B Cruises! Beautiful and Fun THE VENICE OF AMERICA TOUR!!!: $32
- Millionaire's Homes and Megayachts Cruise: $36
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 dayFort Lauderdale $33Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
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Beer$7.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Crawl by Beer Bike: $64
- Pedibus Pub Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $74
- Party Bike Bar Crawl: $74
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 comparing the travel costs between Fort Lauderdale and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Fort Lauderdale is in North America and Ponce is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort Lauderdale Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fort Lauderdale or Ponce?
Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale or Ponce?
Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Ponce. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Fort Lauderdale is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Ponce during summer. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Ponce. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 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 JulyFort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Ponce. The autumn months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In October, Fort Lauderdale is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 78°F (26°C), 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 Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Ponce. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fort Lauderdale usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ponce. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 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 OctoberFort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Fort Lauderdale is cooler than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 67°F (20°C) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during winter. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 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 JanuaryFort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Fort Lauderdale during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the spring, Fort Lauderdale is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in April average around 75°F (24°C), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the spring, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Ponce. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Fort Lauderdale 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 AprilFort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Fort Lauderdale
| Fort Lauderdale | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 67°F (20°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 | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 79°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 | 83°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) |
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.