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

Should you visit Ponce or Arlington?

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 Arlington 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 Arlington?

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).

Arlington

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, capital of the United States, Arlington is a city that also has many government sites and monuments that commemorate the nation's past. Two of its most famous features include Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon-the largest office building in the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Arlington 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 Arlington is $264. 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 Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Arlington $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Arlington $262
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Arlington? 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 Arlington


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: Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Arlington $49

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

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

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington 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
    Arlington $81

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
    Arlington $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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Arlington $17

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 Ponce and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Ponce much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Arlington 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 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington 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 Ponce Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Arlington, 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 Arlington?

Arlington 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 Arlington in the Summer?

Both Arlington and Ponce during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Arlington because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the summer, Ponce often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

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


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

Should I visit Ponce or Arlington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Arlington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

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

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Arlington. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Ponce or Arlington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Arlington. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Arlington. Ponce is much warmer than Arlington in the winter. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

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


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

Should I visit Ponce or Arlington in the Spring?

Both Arlington and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

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

It's quite sunny in Arlington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

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


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

Typical Weather for Arlington and Ponce

Ponce Arlington
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)