Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Ponce?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ponce or Koh Tao?
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 Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao?
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).
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Ponce Prices
Puerto Rico PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $230Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $230, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Koh Tao? 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: Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Koh Tao $9.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- 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
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.97
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $61Koh Tao $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Latin Night with Dinner and Local Music with Transportation: $59
- Puerto Rico Art and Wine Dinner with One Way Transportation: $89
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Island Authentic Food Tour : $130
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
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Breakfast$4.71
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.20
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Koh Tao $30
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
- 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
- 8 Hours Private Tours in Puerto Rico: $150
- Adventure in Cave and the Guayaney Spring: $99
- Afro-Boriken-Loiza: Food, Cave & Art Tour: $140
- Aguadilla 6 Hour Local Tour: $150
- Camuy Caves Experience Tour with transportation: $130
- Cave Hopping Tour: $198
- Caves Coastlines and Beach; Cueva del Indio, Arecibo Adventure : $125
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
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Snorkel Rental$3.14
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $27
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $27
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Koh Tao $8.22
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$2.04
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Koh Tao, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Koh Tao is in Asia, 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 Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ponce or Koh Tao?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Ponce or Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Koh Tao. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Ponce usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the summer, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.
Ponce is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the summer. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Ponce is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ponce in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
In January, Ponce is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 25°C (77°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In April, Ponce usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Tao. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
Ponce is around the same temperature as Koh Tao in the spring. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Ponce
| Ponce | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
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.