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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Ponce?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa 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: Saaremaa or Ponce?

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.

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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Saaremaa?

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 Saaremaa is $150, 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 Saaremaa and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saaremaa $42
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saaremaa $84
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saaremaa $56
    Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa

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


  • Rental Car and Gas for a Day
    $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
  • Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
  • Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • 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
  • Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
  • 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
  • Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
  • San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Saaremaa or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Saaremaa 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
    Saaremaa $74
    Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:


  • Salmon
    $1.50

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.
    Saaremaa $24
    Ponce $56

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saaremaa $13
    Ponce $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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Saaremaa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa.

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


Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Ponce?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Ponce?

Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Ponce in the Summer?

Both Ponce and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In July, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°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 Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saaremaa 17°C (62°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Ponce. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Saaremaa is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 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 October, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Ponce. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saaremaa 8°C (47°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Ponce in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Ponce. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the winter for the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Ponce. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saaremaa -3°C (27°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Saaremaa can be very cold during spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Ponce. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saaremaa 4°C (38°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Saaremaa

Saaremaa Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb -3°C (26°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -1°C (30°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 4°C (38°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 4°C (39°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)