Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Ponce, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Ponce?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31Ponce $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.Punta del Este $11Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
- Skip the Line: Casapueblo Museum Admission Ticket in Punta del Este: $15
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset in Casapueblo: $30
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Private - Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $120
- Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este: $127
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
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 Punta del Este and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Punta del Este much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Ponce?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Punta del Este during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In January, Punta del Este is generally cooler than Poncein July. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 23°C (73°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Punta del Este. In the summer, Punta del Este often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Poncein July. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets less rain in January than Poncein July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta del Este is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Poncein October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In the winter, Punta del Este is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Punta del Este in July average around 10°C (50°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Poncein January. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in July than Poncein January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Poncein April. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 16°C (61°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Poncein April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.