Which city is cheaper, San Juan or Ponce?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Puerto Rico Ponce vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Ponce or San Juan?
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 San Juan 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.
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).
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $164San Juan $153
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $164, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $153. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ponce and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $121San Juan $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $242San Juan $198
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $8.00San Juan $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Private Departure Transfer from Ponce Hotel to San Juan Cruise Port: $228
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $16
- Airport Transfers: SJU to Hotels in Isla Verde/Condado/Old San Juan Puerto Rico: $25
- San Juan Port Arrival Transfer: $27
- San Juan Port Departure Transfer: $27
- San Juan Bus Terminal Shuttle Transfer: $34
- San Juan Airport Shuttle Transfer: $37
- Private,One Way Transfer,To/From:Airport/CruisePort/Hotels to Dorado & RioGrande: $46
- Transfers from San Juan (SJU, hotels, ports, locations nearby) to Dorado City: $50
- Transfers from San Juan (SJU/hotels/ports/locations nearby) to Río Grande City: $50
- Private Arrival Transfer from San Juan Cruise Port to Hotel in San Juan: $51
- Private Departure Transfer from San Juan Hotel to San Juan Cruise Port: $51
- Private Airport Transfer: from San Juan to Luis Munoz Marin Int. Airport (SJU): $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $28San Juan $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors of Old San Juan Food Tour: $112
- Authenic Puerto Rican Food Tasting Cooking Lesson (Volunteer Option Available): $115
- Old San Juan Sunset Walk & Taste Food Tour: $119
- Puerto Rican Food Tour: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $45San Juan $40
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $26
Typical Entertainment prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Old Let the city's buildings tell you their stories on an audio tour: $5.00
- Skip the line! Port-Airport transportation: $10
- Scenic Walking Tour in the Historic Old San Juan: $30
- San Juan Sightseeing Tour: $30
- City Tour San Juan and surroundings: $30
- Guided Sunrise Kayak Experience at Condado Lagoon: $39
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $41
- Oneway - to/from SJUAirport, Cruise Port, Hotels in SAN JUAN - Standard Sedan: $43
- Pinones(Loiza) Tour: An Authentic Food & Beach Experience: $45
- The Best Old San Juan Walking Tour: $45
- Fountain of Youth Tour of Old San Juan: $46
- San Juan Small-Group Snorkeling Tour on Coral Reef: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $13San Juan $9.83
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Bacardi Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Tour: $95
- Private Old San Juan and Bacardí or Barrilito Distillery Experience: $195
- Bacardi Rum Distillery with Cocktail Class and Old San Juan tour: $208
- 3 Day Puerto Rico Extravaganza (Beach, Biobay, Rain Forest, Distillery & Old SJ): $902
When comparing the travel costs between Ponce and San Juan, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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