Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Havana 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 Havana and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or Ponce?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
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).
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $65Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $65, 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 Havana and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $40Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $80Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Havana and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Havana 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
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 Havana or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Havana 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 dayHavana $10Ponce $35
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
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 Island Authentic Food Tour : $130
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11Ponce $56
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
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- 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
- Day or Sunset Tour through the Condado Lagoon. Choose Kayak or Paddleboard: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
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 Havana and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or Ponce?
Havana has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Havana 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 Havana 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 Havana or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Ponce. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 27°C (81°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Havana or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Ponce. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Havana usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Havana is cooler than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Havana or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Ponce. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Havana is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Havana in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Havana or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Havana usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Havana is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 24°C (75°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Havana
| Havana | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.