Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo?
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 Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo?
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).
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Ponce Prices
Puerto Rico PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $230Puerto Viejo $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $230, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $167. 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 Puerto Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Puerto Viejo $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Puerto Viejo $140
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Puerto Viejo? 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: Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Puerto Viejo $37
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: $179
- 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 Puerto Viejo
Also for Puerto Viejo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport to Puerto Viejo Limon: $320
- Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo 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 $61Puerto Viejo $57
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
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Puerto Viejo $77
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $89
- 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
- 8 Hours Private Tours in Puerto Rico: $150
- 90 Minute Portrait Photoshoot Experience in the Caribbean: $129
- Adventure Trail Tour in the foothills of the National Rainforest: $110
- Afro-Boriken-Loiza: Food, Cave & Art Tour: $140
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Canoe Adventure & Caribbean Family Experience: $47
- Puerto Viejo Limón: Birdwatching Tour at Nativo Park: $50
- Wildlife Night Tour in the Jungle: $58
- Sloth and Kayak Tour: $60
- Private night adventure in Manzanillo refuge: $65
- Bribri: Chocolate Experience by Bribri indigenous people: $90
- Puerto Viejo&Cahuita: Tour of 3 Waterfalls, Talamanca, Limón: $149
- San Jose: Rainforest Chocolate Tour with Hanging Bridge: $235
- Puerto Viejo Talamanca: Quad Tour with 2 Waterfalls: $258
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Puerto Viejo $13
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 Puerto Viejo, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Viejo is in Central 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 Puerto Viejo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ponce or Puerto Viejo?
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 Puerto Viejo in the Summer?
Both Puerto Viejo 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.
September to October is the dry season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ponce usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the summer, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Ponce is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ponce in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
September to October in Puerto Viejo is the dry season. Also, November to January is the rainy season in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ponce usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ponce is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (82°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Puerto Viejo. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.
November to January in Puerto Viejo is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 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 winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.
Ponce is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?
Both Puerto Viejo and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In April, Ponce usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Ponce is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ponce in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Ponce
| Ponce | Puerto Viejo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 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.