Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Puerto Montt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt 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: Puerto Montt or Ponce?
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Montt $89Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Montt is $89, 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 Puerto Montt and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Montt $61Ponce $151
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Montt $122Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Puerto Montt and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Montt 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: Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Montt $6.43Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $31
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $31
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
- Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
- Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $60
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Montt or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Puerto Montt 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 dayPuerto Montt $21Ponce $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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Montt $14Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
- Tagua Tagua Lake and Wild Patagonia Tour: $133
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Montt $4.49Ponce $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 Puerto Montt and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Montt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Montt Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Montt or Ponce?
Puerto Montt has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt or Ponce?
Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Puerto Montt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Puerto Montt is much colder than Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Puerto Montt averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. Puerto Montt usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Puerto Montt gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Puerto Montt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Poncein July. Puerto Montt gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPuerto Montt 16°C (60°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Puerto Montt or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Puerto Montt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the autumn, Puerto Montt is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Puerto Montt in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Puerto Montt often gets less sunshine than Poncein October. Puerto Montt gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. Puerto Montt usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Poncein October. Puerto Montt gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPuerto Montt 11°C (51°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Puerto Montt or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Montt and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Puerto Montt is generally much colder than Poncein January. Daily temperatures in Puerto Montt average around 7°C (45°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Puerto Montt usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Puerto Montt gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Puerto Montt usually receives more rain than Poncein January. Puerto Montt gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPuerto Montt 7°C (45°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Puerto Montt or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Montt as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Puerto Montt is much colder than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Puerto Montt averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the spring, Puerto Montt often gets less sunshine than Poncein April. Puerto Montt gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Puerto Montt usually gets more rain in October than Poncein April. Puerto Montt gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPuerto Montt 11°C (51°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Puerto Montt
| Puerto Montt | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.