Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Ponce?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ponce or Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
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).
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $205Virginia Beach $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $205, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $126. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Virginia Beach $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Virginia Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Virginia Beach
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Virginia Beach? 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: Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Virginia Beach $39
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 Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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 $35Virginia Beach $30
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Virginia Beach $21
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 Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Sunset Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Morning Stand-Up Paddleboarding Tour: $45
- Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $59
- Dolphin Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour: $60
- Wetland Zip Tour: $65
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
- Kayak Dolphin Tours | Must Know How to Swim: $78
- Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach Must know how to swim: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Virginia Beach $11
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 Virginia Beach, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Virginia Beach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ponce or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Virginia Beach. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Ponce is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Ponce usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?
Both Virginia Beach 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, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
In the autumn, Ponce is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ponce in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).
It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Virginia Beach in the Winter?
Both Virginia Beach 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 travelers come to Virginia Beach for the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Virginia Beach. In January, Ponce is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 25°C (77°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.
Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Virginia Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Virginia Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Ponce is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ponce usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Ponce
| Ponce | Virginia Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 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.