A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rome vs. Ponce for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rome 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 Rome 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: Rome or Ponce?

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Rome?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is $243, 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 Rome and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rome $106
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rome $212
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Rome and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Rome 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.

Hotels in Rome


Hotels in Ponce


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: Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rome $25
    Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.35
  • Train to the Airport
    $18
  • Taxi to Airport
    $53
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Bus Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City: $7.21
  • Transfer Ciampino Airport - Rome center: $8.42
  • Transfer Fiumicino Airport - Rome City Centre : $8.42
  • Transfer Rome center - Ciampino Airport: $8.42
  • Bus Transfer from Rome to Milan or Vice Versa: $9.30
  • Rome from Civitavecchia Transfer with Optional Open Bus: $36
  • Transfer from Civitavecchia by train with Rome HopOnHopOff Option: $39
  • Luxury Private Transfer from/to Fiumicino Airport to Rome Center: $41
  • Luxury Private Transfer Rome Center to Fiumicino Airport: $44
  • Ciampino Transfer: $44
  • Transfer between Rome and the Fiumicino Airport FCO: $45
  • Rome’s Bone Chapel with Panoramic Transfer: $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
  • 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 Departure Share Transfer: $27
  • San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
  • Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
  • Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170

Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Rome 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 day
    Rome $98
    Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $16
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.51
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.69
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $3.11
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $37
  • Cheese and bread
    $12
  • Espresso
    $2.35
  • Dinner
    $68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
  • Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
  • Rome City Center Largest Farmers Market and Street Food Tour : $35
  • Pizza and Tiramisu Cooking Class near the Colosseum: $35
  • Pizza Making Class with Spritz & Mixology: $35
  • Tasty Trionfale Farmers Market Food Tour and Local Wines Tasting: $42
  • Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome: $46
  • Gnocchi Cooking Class in Rome - Piazza Navona: $46
  • Vatican Street Food Tour and Wine Experience with Local Guide: $47
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $47
  • Rome Food Tour by the Vatican : $52
  • Pizza Cooking Class in Rome City Center - Piazza Navona: $52

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.
    Rome $42
    Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $81
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $39
  • Roma Pass
    $35
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $23
  • Segway Tour
    $88

Tours and Activities in Rome

Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self Guided Audio Tour with 100 Captivating Stories in Rome: $3.59
  • Rome and Tuscany Secret Treasures Self Guided Walking Tour: $4.20
  • Piazza del Popolo and Historical Sights Walking Tour in Rome: $4.21
  • Twilight Treasures: An Evening Tour Through Rome's Rich History: $4.57
  • Rome Art Walking Tour Who Killed Caravaggio: $4.81
  • Ghosts Legends and Mysteries of Rome Walking Tour: $4.81
  • Colosseum and Roman Forum Sightseeing Area Night Walking Tour: $4.81
  • Rome Timeless Trail Self Guided Walking Tour with App: $5.78
  • Rome Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.88
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $5.88
  • What Emperor Hadrian Lost: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ancient Rome: $5.99
  • Rome Empress Mystery: Self-Guided Adventure Game: $6.00

Tours and Activities in Ponce

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:

  • Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
  • Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
  • La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
  • Prive Tours in Puerto Rico: $40
  • Las Tinajas Waterfall: Guided Short Hike Adventure from Fajardo: $55
  • Walking Guided Tour of History and Myths of Old San Juan : $60
  • 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
  • Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
  • Half-Day Small-Group River Experience in El Yunque with Local : $68
  • El Yunque Rainforest, Waterslides & Beach Tour from San Juan: $75
  • Party Bus Experience in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $79

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rome $21
    Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.63
  • Pint of Beer
    $7.44
  • Beer
    $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Small Group Experience: $19
  • Rome Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $19
  • Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $35
  • Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $35
  • Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $39
  • Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $47
  • Tour of Rome with wine tasting: $54
  • Guided Wine Tasting Experience in a Roman Vineyard: $59
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $60
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $66
  • Wine Tasting Cold cuts and Rare Cheeses in Grotta a Testaccio: $72
  • Trastevere Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $77

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 comparing the travel costs between Rome and Ponce, we can see that Rome is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Rome is in Europe and Ponce is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rome Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rome or Ponce?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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 Rome or Ponce?

Rome 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 Rome or Ponce in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Ponce. The summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Rome is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 25°C (77°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rome usually receives more sunshine than Ponce during summer. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rome usually receives less rain than Ponce. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rome 25°C (77°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Rome or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rome as well as Ponce. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

Rome is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the autumn, Rome often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ponce. Rome usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rome 17°C (63°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Rome or Ponce in the Winter?

Both Ponce and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Rome is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rome in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rome usually receives more rain than Ponce. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rome 8°C (47°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Rome or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Rome during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rome in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In April, Rome is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 14°C (57°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the spring, Rome often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets less rain in April than Ponce. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rome 14°C (57°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Rome

Rome Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)