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

Should you visit Ponce or Sacramento?

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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

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).

Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Sacramento 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 Sacramento is $281. 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 Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Sacramento $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Sacramento? 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 Sacramento


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: Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Sacramento $51

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 Sacramento

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

  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $110
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $122
  • Sacramento Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $218
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $221
  • Round Trip Private Transfer in Sacramento Airport to Calistoga: $294

Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Sacramento?

Prices for flights to both Sacramento 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
    Sacramento $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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $95
  • Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
  • Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
  • Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
  • Midtown Walking Food Tour: $145
  • Italian Cooking and Dance Class Experience: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ponce $56
    Sacramento $19

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 Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Gold Rush & Ghosts SmartPhone App Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Sacramento Urban Murals: A Self-Guided Cycling Tour: $8.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Delta's History and Wine: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $12
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $12
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Sacramento $12

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 Sacramento

Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
  • Placer County Wine Tasting Pass: $19
  • Wine Tasting Audio Tour - Lodi California: $35
  • Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch - near Sacramento: $125


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sacramento 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 Sacramento Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Sacramento, 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 Sacramento?

Sacramento 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 Sacramento in the Summer?

Both Sacramento 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the family-friendly experiences.

Ponce is a little warmer than Sacramento in the summer. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the summer, Ponce often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ponce 28°C (83°F) 
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Sacramento in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Ponce is much warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ponce in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Sacramento averages at about 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 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 Sacramento. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ponce 28°C (82°F) 
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Sacramento in the Winter?

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

In January, Ponce is generally much warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 25°C (77°F), and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°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 Sacramento. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Sacramento. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ponce 25°C (77°F) 
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Sacramento in the Spring?

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

Ponce is much warmer than Sacramento in the spring. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ponce usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ponce 26°C (79°F) 
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Ponce

Ponce Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)