A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. Ponce for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo or Ponce?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and Ponce can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Montevideo or Ponce?

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $63, 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 Montevideo and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $39
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $78
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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.

Hotels in Montevideo


Hotels in Ponce


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.32
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $12
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $21
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport MVD to Punta Del Este Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $279
  • Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $189
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
  • Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
  • San Juan Airport (SJU) to Rio Grande hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
  • Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $92
  • 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
  • Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
  • Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
  • Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Montevideo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montevideo $13
    Ponce $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango & Folklore in Montevideo: $98

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $28
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $31
  • City Sightseeing Tour: $32
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers: $35
  • The Best Montevideo City Tour: $36

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Ponce $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • Juanico Wine Tour Lunch: $132
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210

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 Montevideo and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Ponce?

Montevideo has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Ponce?

Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Ponce in the Summer?

Both Ponce and Montevideo during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In January, Montevideo is generally cooler than Poncein July. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 24°C (75°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montevideo. In the summer, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Poncein July. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.

Montevideo usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Poncein July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Montevideo is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Poncein October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Ponce in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

In the winter, Montevideo is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montevideo in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Montevideo often gets less sunshine than Poncein January. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.

Montevideo usually gets more rain in July than Poncein January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Montevideo is generally much colder than Poncein April. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montevideo. Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In October, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Poncein April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Montevideo

Montevideo Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)