Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Porto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Porto or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Porto and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Porto or Ponce?
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.
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).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.
-
Porto Prices
Portugal PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPorto $187Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Porto is $187, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $230. 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 Porto and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPorto $84Ponce $151
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPorto $168Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Porto and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Porto or Ponce? 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: Porto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Porto $24Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto
Also for Porto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Porto Airport: Transfer to/from Valenca Do Minho Station: $12
- Madeira: Vereda do Larano Trail One-Way Transfer Service: $23
- Porto Airport Transfer: $24
- Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $30
- Madeira: Porto da Cruz to Machico Hiking Tour with Transfer: $39
- Service Transfer Airport to Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia: $64
- Funchal to Porto Moniz: Volcanic Pools Day Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer to Porto from Tarouca: $134
- Private Transfer to Lisbon from Tarouca: $293
- Private transfer between Porto and Algarve with 1 stop: $558
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Porto or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Porto 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 dayPorto $74Ponce $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto
For Porto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Porto Food & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option: $94
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Porto $30Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Porto
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Porto.
- Porto Six Bridges Panoramic Cruise on the Douro River: $21
- Experience Porto's Charm: 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Porto Sunset River Cruise: Douro Magic at Dusk: $35
- Douro River Boat Cruise with Port Wine and Snacks: $48
- Porto Douro River Sightseeing Sailing Cruise at Sunset or Daytime: $48
- 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $52
- Sunset or Daytime, Charming Sailboat Cruise on the Douro River: $54
- 6 Bridges cruise , Douro river with sunset option: $54
- Tour on the Douro River in a Classic Boat: $54
- Aveiro and Costa Nova Half Day Tour from Porto with Boat Ride: $55
- Luxury Yacht Tour on the Douro River - Sunset or Daytime: $58
- Fun Private Tuk Tuk Tour: $66
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPorto $22Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Porto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:
- Luxury Yacht Cruise with Wine Tasting & Snacks: $54
- Port Wine Tour | 3 Cellars | 7 Tastings | 12 Participants Maximum: $60
- Port Wine Lodges Tour Including 7 Port Wine Tastings (English): $62
- Authentic Food and Wine Tour in Porto by Food Lover Tour: $81
- Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch from Porto : $96
- Douro Valley Wine Tour: 3 Vineyard Visits, Wine Tastings, Lunch: $113
- Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise: $118
- Douro Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Winery and Lunch From Porto: $131
- Authentic Small Group Douro Wine Tour with Lunch & River Cruise: $131
- Small Group Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch and Cruise: $149
- Douro Valley Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting, Lunch and Boat: $150
- Douro Valley Tour - 3 Wine tastings, Lunch & river Cruise: $152
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porto and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Porto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Porto is in Europe and Ponce is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Porto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Porto 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 Porto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porto Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Porto or Ponce?
Porto has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Ponce, 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 Porto or Ponce?
Porto 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 Porto or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Porto during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the summer, Porto is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porto in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Porto usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPorto 21°C (69°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Porto or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Ponce. Many visitors come to Porto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Porto is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 17°C (62°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Porto usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Porto usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPorto 17°C (62°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Porto or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Porto as well as Ponce. Most visitors come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Porto is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Porto often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPorto 10°C (50°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Porto or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Porto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Porto is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porto in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Ponce. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPorto 14°C (56°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Porto
| Porto | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.