Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Granada 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 Granada 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: Granada or Ponce?
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
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 in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGranada $40Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is $40, 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 Granada and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada $17Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada $34Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Granada and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Granada 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: Granada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada $8.57Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $60
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Granada 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 dayGranada $14Ponce $35
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
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Pizza$2.29
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.Granada $10Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
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Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.17
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Granada Kayak Tour: $30
- Colonial Granada Horse Carriage & Walking Tour: $35
- Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
- Las Isletas: Kayak Tour: $39
- Granada City Tour: $40
- Granada's City Tour: $40
- Las Isletas: Boat Tour: $45
- Masaya Night Tour Minimum 2 People from Granada: $45
- Las Isletas 2-Hour Kayak Adventure in Granada with Pickup: $48
- City Walking Tour and Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: $50
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
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 dayGranada $7.50Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
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Tequila$1.36
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 Granada and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Central 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Granada. In July, Granada usually receives more rain than Ponce. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Granada usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 27°C (81°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGranada 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Granada or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Granada during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually gets more rain in October than Ponce. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Granada often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
Granada is around the same temperature as Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGranada 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Granada or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Granada usually receives less rain than Ponce. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during winter. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Granada is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGranada 26°C (79°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Granada or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Granada as well as Ponce. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Granada usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the spring, Granada often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
In April, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 29°C (84°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGranada 29°C (84°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Granada
| Granada | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.