Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fortaleza or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and Ponce can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Fortaleza or Ponce?
Fortaleza
A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.
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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, and The Best Budget Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFortaleza $69Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, 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 Fortaleza and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer leaving from the Fortaleza waterfront to Beach Park: $8.97
- Shared Airport Transfer to Fortaleza Hotels: $9.58
- Transfer to Beach Park: $12
- Beach Park Round-Trip Transfer: $13
- Fortaleza to Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) - Departure Transfer: $16
- Pinto Martins Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza-Arrival Private Transfer: $16
- Beach Park Transfer from Fortaleza: $16
- Fortaleza Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
- Roundtrip transfer from Pinto Martins Airport to Hotels in Fortaleza: $18
- Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Fortaleza City: $25
- Private transfer: Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to Fortaleza: $26
- Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $29
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 Fortaleza or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Fortaleza 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 dayFortaleza $24Ponce $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
- Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $11
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
- 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
- Lagoinha Beach Tour: $14
- Águas Belas Tour: $15
- Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
- Lagoinha Beach Tour: $17
- Tour 3 beaches in 1 day: $18
- One Day Bus Tour of Fortaleza and Cumbuco Beach: $18
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
- Canoa Quebrada Beach Tour with Nettour: $20
- The colorful sands of Morro Branco beach - Full Day Tour: $22
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 dayFortaleza $9.97Ponce $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 Fortaleza and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Ponce?
Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Ponce?
Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Fortaleza during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the summer, Fortaleza often gets less sunshine than Poncein July. Fortaleza gets 221 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 Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in January than Poncein July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 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 JulyFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fortaleza in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Poncein October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 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 OctoberFortaleza 27°C (80°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In July, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Poncein January. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 26°C (79°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 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 Fortaleza this time of the year. In the winter, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Poncein January. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Fortaleza usually gets more rain in July than Poncein January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 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 JanuaryFortaleza 26°C (79°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during spring. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Poncein April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 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 AprilFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Fortaleza
| Fortaleza | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.