Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Kota Kinabalu?
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 Kota Kinabalu or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ponce? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kota Kinabalu or Ponce?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $68Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $68, 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 Kota Kinabalu and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $25Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $13
- Kota Kinabalu（BKI）: Private Transfer to City Center: $14
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $20
- Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinab Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $25
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $25
- Private Arrival Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $30
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Sunrise/Sunset Tour at Kota Kinabalu with transfer: $32
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
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 Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $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
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Kota Kinabalu 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 dayKota Kinabalu $30Ponce $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $29
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $33
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Ethnic Cooking Class & Upside Down House & 3D Wonders Museum: $92
- Taste Of Borneo Cooking Class: $95
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $138
- Kota Kinabalu Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $187
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.Kota Kinabalu $6.43Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan Proboscis and Fireflies Cruise Tour: $32
- Sail and Catch Boat fishing Tour of the Coast of Kota Kinabalu: $41
- Night Glow Stand Up Paddle Experience in Kota Kinabalu: $44
- Sky-Mirror Photographing and Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies Watching River-Cruise: $46
- Mangrove Kayaking Experience in Borneo: $47
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies : $49
- Sabah: Manukan and Sapi Islands Excursion Ticket: $50
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Private Guided E-Foil Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $54
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $55
- Pulau Sapi & Manukan Sabah Shared Activity Adventure: $57
- Klias Wildlife Safari River Cruise from Kota Kinabalu: $58
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Prive Tours in Puerto Rico: $40
- Las Tinajas Waterfall: Guided Short Hike Adventure from Fajardo: $55
- Walking Guided Tour of History and Myths of Old San Juan : $60
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- Half-Day Small-Group River Experience in El Yunque with Local : $68
- El Yunque Rainforest, Waterslides & Beach Tour from San Juan: $75
- Party Bus Experience in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.18Ponce $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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kota Kinabalu and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Ponce?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu. In July, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Ponce. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 27°C (81°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Kota Kinabalu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu 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 Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in October than Ponce. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 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, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Ponce. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 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. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Ponce. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 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 Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the spring, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
In April, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 28°C (82°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 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.