Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Pucon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pucon or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pucon and Ponce 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: Pucon or Ponce?
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPucon $100Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $100, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $205. 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 Pucon and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPucon $43Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPucon $86Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Pucon and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Pucon 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pucon $19Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $279
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to Rio Grande hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- 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
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Pucon or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Pucon 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 dayPucon $38Ponce $35
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.Pucon $37Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Talking Buildings of Old San Juan: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Footsteps in San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- Salsa Tours PR Sunset Salsa Beach Class in San Juan, Puerto Rico : $29
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Guided City Walking Tour: $32
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Bio Bay Boat Tour with Swimming from La Parguera, Puerto Rico: $50
- Turtle spotting snorkeling adventure- no Jets : $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPucon $27Ponce $16
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 Pucon and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Pucon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pucon is in South America 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 Pucon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pucon 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 Pucon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pucon Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pucon or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Pucon. When comparing the sizes of Pucon 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 Pucon or Ponce?
Pucon 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 Pucon or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Pucon is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pucon in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Pucon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pucon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during summer. Pucon gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Pucon usually receives less rain than Poncein July. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPucon 16°C (61°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pucon as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In April, Pucon is generally much colder than Poncein October. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 11°C (52°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the autumn, Pucon often gets less sunshine than Poncein October. Pucon gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pucon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Poncein October. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPucon 11°C (52°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Pucon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Pucon is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Pucon usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Pucon gets 66 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. In July, Pucon usually receives more rain than Poncein January. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPucon 7°C (45°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Pucon during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the spring, Pucon is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pucon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Pucon often gets less sunshine than Poncein April. Pucon gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. Pucon usually gets more rain in October than Poncein April. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPucon 11°C (52°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Pucon
| Pucon | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.