Which place is cheaper, Charlottesville or Ponce?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ponce or Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?
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).
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $205Charlottesville $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $205, while the average daily cost in Charlottesville is $154. 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 Charlottesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Charlottesville $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Charlottesville $160
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Charlottesville
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Charlottesville? 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: Charlottesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Charlottesville $53
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Charlottesville?
Prices for flights to both Charlottesville 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
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Food Meals for one dayPonce $35Charlottesville $42
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Charlottesville $18
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 Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Charlottesville $53
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 Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Charlottesville, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Charlottesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ponce or Charlottesville?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?
Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Charlottesville. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Ponce is around the same temperature as Charlottesville in the summer. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. Ponce usually gets less rain in July than Charlottesville. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Charlottesville 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Charlottesville in the Autumn?
Both Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Ponce is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ponce in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Charlottesville averages at about 59°F (15°C).
It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Charlottesville 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Charlottesville in the Winter?
Both Charlottesville 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. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine during these months.
Charlottesville can be very cold during winter. In January, Ponce is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 25°C (77°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.
Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Charlottesville. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Charlottesville 36°F (2°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Charlottesville in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Charlottesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Ponce is much warmer than Charlottesville in the spring. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ponce usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Charlottesville 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Ponce
| Ponce | Charlottesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
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.