Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hoi An 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 Hoi An 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: Hoi An or Ponce?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam.
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Hoi An Prices
Vietnam PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $51Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $51, 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 Hoi An and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $20Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $40Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $18Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.34
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Trip & Transfer: $7.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
- 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
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Hoi An 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 dayHoi An $16Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$13
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.79
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.58
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $12Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$140
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Short Boat Ride$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hue : Shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An and sightseeing: $16
- Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An Bus Tour with English Guide & Sightseeing: $22
- Hue: Half-Day Tour with Optional Dragon Boat Perfume River: $28
- Phu Quoc: 3 Islands Snorkeling/ Cable Car Adventure: $45
- Hoi An Experience 3 Hours Wood Carving Class with Local Artist: $47
- My Son Sanctuary Private Tour - Early Morning or Half Day Tour: $50
- My Son - Hoi An Full Day Private Tour With Meals: $75
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $150
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City: $154
- Cruiseship Tour to MY SON HOLYLAND - DA NANG CITY From Chan May or Tien Sa Port: $179
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $180
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $8.59Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.10
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hoi An is in Asia 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 Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Ponce?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Hoi An or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Ponce. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 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 Hoi An this time of the year. In the summer, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Hoi An is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hoi An in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Ponce. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 25°C (78°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Hoi An during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Hoi An is cooler than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Ponce. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Hoi An is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hoi An in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.