Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Lisbon?
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 Lisbon or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon 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: Lisbon or Ponce?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Lisbon Prices
Portugal PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon $196Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is $196, 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 Lisbon and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon $74Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon $148Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon $29Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$7.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $13
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $13
- Transfer Between Airport and City Hotels: $15
- Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport, Train Station or Port: $16
- Lisbon Cruise Port: Private Transfer to hotels or airport: $16
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $16
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Lisbon Airport or Cruise : $16
- Lisbon Airport (LIS) Private Transfer to Lisbon City/Hotels: $20
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon City Center: $22
- Private Transfers, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Ericeira, Setubal: $24
- Jardim do Tabaco Quay Cruise Port to Lisbon - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
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 Lisbon or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon $86Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza Cruise on a Luxury Boat with Open Bar: $29
- Lisbon Sunset DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $29
- Lisbon Exclusive Sunset Cruise – Pizza, Open Bar & Dolphins: $29
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $32
- Sunset DJ Party – Sangria, Pizza & Open Bar : $35
- Traditional Walking Food Tour: $50
- Sangria DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $54
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $57
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $58
- Lisbon Sangria – Exclusive Luxury Cruise with Pizza & Music: $59
- Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $59
- Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $59
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.Lisbon $28Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Unravel Lisbon an Outdoor Charms Self Guided Tour: $1.18
- Alfama and Mouraria Tour - The oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon: $1.24
- Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.24
- Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $1.76
- Lisbon Walking Tour - Discover Belém and the Discoveries Age: $1.79
- Lisbon Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.37
- Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $3.59
- Self Guided Tour in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
- Lisbon Tour in Walled City and Alfama and Old Town: $3.59
- The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.59
- Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $3.61
- Lisbon (Chiado-Baixa) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.52
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 dayLisbon $21Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $19
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $22
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar (Premium Upgrade Available): $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: Unlimited Drinks, Shots & V.I.P Club Entry: $23
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
- Portuguese Wine Tasting: $25
- Guided Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif: $28
- Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $29
- Lisbon Wine Tasting: $29
- A Taste of Wine Tasting Experience: $42
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 Lisbon and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe 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 Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Lisbon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Ponce?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Ponce?
Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Ponce. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In July, Lisbon is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Ponce. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 23°C (73°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Lisbon is cooler than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Ponce. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLisbon 19°C (66°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the winter, Lisbon is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLisbon 12°C (53°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Ponce. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Lisbon is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Ponce. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLisbon 16°C (60°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Lisbon
| Lisbon | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.