Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville 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: Mandeville or Ponce?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
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).
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $81Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, 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 Mandeville and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $31Ponce $10
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
- Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $189
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $60
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $92
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $24Ponce $35
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.Mandeville $8.31Ponce $56
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
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 2-Hour Private UTV Can-Am Beach Tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $264
- 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
- 90 Minute Portrait Photoshoot Experience in the Caribbean: $129
- ATV Adventure at Hacienda Campo Rico: $136
- Adventure Trail Tour in the foothills of the National Rainforest: $110
- Afro-Boriken-Loiza: Food, Cave & Art Tour: $140
- All Inclusive Cordillera Cay’s Sailing Catamaran Beach & Snorkeling Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.51Ponce $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 Mandeville and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Mandeville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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 Mandeville 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 Mandeville or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Ponce. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 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 Mandeville this time of the year. In the summer, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Mandeville is around the same temperature as Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville 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 Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Ponce. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mandeville in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Mandeville during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Mandeville usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 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. It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the winter, Mandeville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 26°C (79°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Ponce. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 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 Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Mandeville is around the same temperature as Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.