A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hofn vs. Ponce for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hofn or Ponce?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Ponce, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Hofn or Ponce?

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Hofn?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hofn is $207, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $230. 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 Hofn and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $113
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $226
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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.

Hotels in Hofn


Hotels in Ponce


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: Hofn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $31
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
  • Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
  • Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • 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
  • Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
  • Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
  • San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Hofn 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hofn $73
    Ponce $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.

  • Latin Night with Dinner and Local Music with Transportation: $59
  • Puerto Rico Art and Wine Dinner with One Way Transportation: $89
  • Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
  • Private Half-Day Island Authentic Food Tour : $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hofn $20
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Hofn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.

  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
  • The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
  • Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
  • Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
  • Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
  • Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
  • 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
  • Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215

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
  • 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
  • 8 Hours Private Tours in Puerto Rico: $150
  • Adventure in Cave and the Guayaney Spring: $99
  • Afro-Boriken-Loiza: Food, Cave & Art Tour: $140
  • Aguadilla 6 Hour Local Tour: $150
  • Camuy Caves Experience Tour with transportation: $130
  • Cave Hopping Tour: $198
  • Caves Coastlines and Beach; Cueva del Indio, Arecibo Adventure : $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hofn $13
    Ponce $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


When comparing the travel costs between Hofn 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 Hofn is in Europe 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 Hofn Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Ponce?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn or Ponce?

Hofn 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 Hofn or Ponce in the Summer?

Both Ponce and Hofn during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

Hofn is much colder than Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

Hofn usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hofn and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the autumn, Hofn is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hofn in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Ponce. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Ponce in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hofn as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

Hofn can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hofn is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around -0°C (31°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Hofn 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.

Hofn can be very cold during spring. Hofn is much colder than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Ponce. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Hofn

Hofn Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)