Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Manila?
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 Manila 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 Manila and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Ponce?
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
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 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $98Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $98, 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 Manila and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $50Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $100Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Manila and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Manila 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: Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $13Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $28
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Metro Manila → NAIA Airport (MNL): $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
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
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Manila 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 dayManila $29Ponce $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $60
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $60
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
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.Manila $18Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $39
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
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Prive Tours in Puerto Rico: $40
- Walking Guided Tour of History and Myths of Old San Juan : $60
- Half-Day Small-Group River Experience in El Yunque with Local : $68
- Explore El Yunque and Historic Castle in Old San Juan Tour: $69
- Island Escape Rainforest to Castles Tour: $70
- Arecibo Triple Tour Indian Caves Waterfalls and Nature : $71
- Party Bus Experience in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $79
- Puerto Rico Countryside Tour with Visit to Waterfall: $79
- Caves Coastlines and Beach; Cueva del Indio, Arecibo Adventure: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.17Ponce $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 Manila and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila 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 Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Manila.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Ponce?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Manila 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 Manila 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 Manila or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila 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 Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Ponce. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Manila or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Manila during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila 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 Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Ponce. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is around the same temperature as Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Ponce. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Manila is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manila in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Manila or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Manila as well as Ponce. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Manila
| Manila | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 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.