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

Should you visit Piriapolis or Ponce?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis or Ponce, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Piriapolis or Ponce?

Piriapolis

Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.

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 Uruguay, and The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Piriapolis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, 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 Piriapolis and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $27
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $54
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis


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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $31
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
  • Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $279
  • Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
  • Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
  • Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
  • Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • San Juan Airport (SJU) to Rio Grande hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
  • 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
  • San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
  • San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
  • San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Piriapolis 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
    Piriapolis $23
    Ponce $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piriapolis $5.89
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Ponce

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:

  • Talking Buildings of Old San Juan: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Footsteps in San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
  • Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
  • Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
  • Salsa Tours PR Sunset Salsa Beach Class in San Juan, Puerto Rico : $29
  • Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
  • Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
  • Guided City Walking Tour: $32
  • La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
  • Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
  • Bio Bay Boat Tour with Swimming from La Parguera, Puerto Rico: $50
  • Turtle spotting snorkeling adventure- no Jets : $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $8.11
    Ponce $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 Piriapolis and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis.

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


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Ponce?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Ponce?

Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Ponce in the Summer?

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

In January, Piriapolis is generally cooler than Poncein July. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 23°C (73°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Piriapolis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piriapolis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during summer. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Poncein July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Ponce in the Autumn?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the autumn, Piriapolis often gets less sunshine than Poncein October. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ponce. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in April than Poncein October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Piriapolis or Ponce in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Piriapolis is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piriapolis in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Ponce. Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Poncein January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or Ponce in the Spring?

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

In October, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Poncein April. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 16°C (61°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Piriapolis. In the spring, Piriapolis often gets less sunshine than Poncein April. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.

Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than Poncein April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Piriapolis

Piriapolis Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)