Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz 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 Huaraz and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Ponce?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
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 Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHuaraz $50Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, 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 Huaraz and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
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 Huaraz or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $18Ponce $35
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
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.Huaraz $19Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
- Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
- From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
- From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
- From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
- From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $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 dayHuaraz $15Ponce $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 Huaraz and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Huaraz or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Huaraz. When comparing the sizes of Huaraz 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 Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Ponce. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. In the summer, Huaraz is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huaraz in July average around 3°C (37°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHuaraz 3°C (37°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Ponce. Huaraz 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. Huaraz usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Huaraz can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Huaraz is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 4°C (39°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHuaraz 4°C (39°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz 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 Huaraz. In January, Huaraz usually receives more rain than Ponce. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Huaraz is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHuaraz 7°C (45°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Huaraz during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Huaraz usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Huaraz is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huaraz in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHuaraz 6°C (43°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.