Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Ponce?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ponce or Honolulu?
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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
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).
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $205Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $205, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Honolulu? 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: Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Honolulu $26
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $18
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
- Honolulu Airport Private Transfer to or from Waikiki: $32
- Honolulu Airport -Waikiki Arrival Private Transfer W/Lei Greeting: $35
- Airport Private Transfer with Arrival Lei Greeting: $35
- Oahu: Honolulu Shuttle Bus Transfer to Pearl Harbor: $37
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu Port: $37
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $35Honolulu $53
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
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Honolulu $40
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
- Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $7.99
- Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
- Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
- Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
- Oahu: Grand Circle Island Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Honolulu $6.47
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 Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ponce or Honolulu?
Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Honolulu. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In July, Ponce is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (83°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. 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 Honolulu. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.
Ponce usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Honolulu in the Autumn?
Both Honolulu 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 travelers come to Honolulu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Ponce is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Honolulu in the Winter?
Both Honolulu 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, many visitors come to Honolulu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Ponce is a little warmer than Honolulu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ponce in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Honolulu averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Honolulu. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.
Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Honolulu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Honolulu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Ponce is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 26°C (79°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu 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 Honolulu during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ponce usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Ponce
| Ponce | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.