Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Reykjavik or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik 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: Reykjavik or Ponce?
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Reykjavik Prices
Iceland PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $307Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $307, 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 Reykjavik and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $160Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $320Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik 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: Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $52Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavík and Reykjavik Center: $31
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $31
- Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport: $31
- Iceland: Airport Transfers between Keflavik and Reykjavik Hotels: $40
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $42
- Private Transfers in Iceland: $45
- Private Transfer to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik Keflavik: $49
- Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $51
- Blue Lagoon Transfer from/to Keflavik International Airport: $58
- Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to Skálafell - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Skálafell to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Reykjavík/Keflavík–Blue Lagoon, Silica & Retreat Transfer: $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
- 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
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Reykjavik 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 dayReykjavik $60Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$204
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $143
- The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $145
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Private Vegetarian Reykjavik Food Tour: $195
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $215
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $83Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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Wine and Spa$34
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Reykjavik Viking Roots to Modern Marvels Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Settlement and Egils Saga Exhibition Ticket: $30
- Northern Lights: Aurora Basecamp Observatory Guided Experience: $30
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: $32
- Saga Museum - Entrance ticket: $32
- Reykjanes Peninsula and Blue Lagoon Self-Guided Driving Tour: $34
- Reykjavik Escape Game Experience - Prison Break 1: $45
- Reykjavík Shared Tuk Tuk Tour: $50
- Walking tour of Reykjavik city: $51
- Lava Show Reykjavik Admission Ticket - Optional Premium Upgrade : $55
- Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour: Meet the Elves, Trolls & Ghosts of Iceland: $55
- Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík: $60
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $32Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting with Master Distiller: $35
- Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $49
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 Reykjavik and Ponce, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Ponce much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik 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 Ponce would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ponce 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Ponce.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or Ponce?
Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Ponce. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In the summer, Reykjavik is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Reykjavik in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Reykjavik usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 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 JulyReykjavik 11°C (52°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In October, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 5°C (41°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In October, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Ponce. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 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 OctoberReykjavik 5°C (41°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Reykjavik during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Reykjavik is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around -0°C (32°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 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 JanuaryReykjavik -0°C (32°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Ponce. Most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Reykjavik is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Reykjavik in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Ponce. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 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 AprilReykjavik 3°C (38°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Reykjavik
| Reykjavik | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.