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

Should you visit Ponce or Alexandria?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ponce and Alexandria 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: Ponce or Alexandria?

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).

Alexandria

Just minutes from the nation's capital of Washington DC, Alexandria offers a world of rich history and beautifully preserved buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. A city of many interests, attractions range from the old haunts of George Washington and historic architecture to museums, local crafts, and quaint boutiques. With its cobblestoned streets, Old Town of Alexandria is sure to charm as well.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Ponce?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $205, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $0.00. 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 Ponce and Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Alexandria $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Alexandria $76
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Alexandria? 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 Ponce


Hotels in Alexandria


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: Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Alexandria -

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 Ponce or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Ponce 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
    Ponce $35
    Alexandria -

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.
    Ponce $56
    Alexandria -

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

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

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

  • Old Town Alexandria Tour: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Phantoms of the Potomac Walking Tour: $26
  • American Revolution Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost Tour: $38
  • Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat: $68
  • Old Town Southern Comfort Food & History Tour: $127
  • Private Tour of George Washington's Mount Vernon: $165
  • Philadelphia Tour from Alexandria by Rail: $329

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Alexandria -

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria

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

  • Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Alexandria, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Alexandria is in North America, 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 Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.

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


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Alexandria?

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

Alexandria 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 Ponce or Alexandria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Alexandria. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ponce is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ponce in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Alexandria averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alexandria. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the summer, Ponce often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ponce 28°C (83°F) 
    Alexandria 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Alexandria in the Autumn?

Both Alexandria and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Alexandria in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ponce is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (82°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ponce 28°C (82°F) 
    Alexandria 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Alexandria in the Winter?

Both Alexandria and Ponce during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alexandria can be very cold during winter. Ponce is much warmer than Alexandria in the winter. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Alexandria. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ponce 25°C (77°F) 
    Alexandria 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Alexandria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Alexandria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ponce is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ponce in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Alexandria averages at about 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alexandria this time of the year. In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ponce usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ponce 26°C (79°F) 
    Alexandria 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Ponce

Ponce Alexandria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


Related Articles for Ponce