Which place is cheaper, Ponce or New Orleans?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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: New Orleans or Ponce?
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNew Orleans $239Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in New Orleans is $239, 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 New Orleans and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNew Orleans $125Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNew Orleans $250Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in New Orleans and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in New Orleans 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: New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.New Orleans $51Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer in (Rover RSD) New Orleans MSY/Home/Hotel/Work : $47
- Private Transfer from Louis Armstrong Airport: $50
- 1-Way Private Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport MSY: $67
- Private Arrival Transfer from Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport: $67
- Airboat or Pontoon Boat Cruise with Transfers: $68
- Private Transfer in a Luxury Sedan from Louis Armstrong Airport: $69
- New Orleans hotels to NOLA Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- New Orleans to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
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 New Orleans or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and New Orleans 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 dayNew Orleans $45Ponce $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
- Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
- The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
- Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
- French Quarter Food Tour with a Local: $80
- Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
- New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
- French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
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.New Orleans $55Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
- Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
- Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
- New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in New Orleans by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11
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 dayNew Orleans $60Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
- Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
- New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
- Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
- Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
- Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
- New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
- True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
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 New Orleans and Ponce, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Ponce much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since New Orleans is in North 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 Ponce would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ponce 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Ponce.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New Orleans Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Ponce?
New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Ponce?
New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Ponce. The summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In the summer, New Orleans is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Orleans in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Ponce averages at about 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 New Orleans this time of the year. In the summer, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Ponce. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Orleans usually gets more rain in July than Ponce. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNew Orleans 82°F (28°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit New Orleans or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, New Orleans is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 69°F (21°C), 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 New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during autumn. New Orleans gets 240 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, New Orleans usually receives less rain than Ponce. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNew Orleans 69°F (21°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit New Orleans or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and New Orleans during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
New Orleans is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, New Orleans often gets less sunshine than Ponce. New Orleans gets 158 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 New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNew Orleans 51°F (11°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit New Orleans or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Ponce. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, New Orleans is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Orleans in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during spring. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Ponce. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNew Orleans 68°F (20°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and New Orleans
| New Orleans | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 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.