Which place is cheaper, Ponce or San Fernando?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Fernando or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Fernando 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: San Fernando or Ponce?
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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).
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Fernando $153Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in San Fernando is $153, 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 San Fernando and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Fernando $74Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Fernando $148Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in San Fernando and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in San Fernando 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Fernando $50Ponce $10
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 San Fernando or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and San Fernando 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 daySan Fernando $48Ponce $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.San Fernando $28Ponce $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
- 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 daySan Fernando $22Ponce $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 San Fernando and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is San Fernando much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Fernando would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Fernando 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 San Fernando.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Fernando Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Fernando or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of San Fernando 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 San Fernando or Ponce?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit San Fernando or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and San Fernando during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually gets more rain in July than Ponce. San Fernando gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Fernando. In the summer, San Fernando often gets less sunshine than Ponce. San Fernando gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
San Fernando is around the same temperature as Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Fernando and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Fernando year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Fernando usually receives more rain than Ponce. San Fernando gets 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Fernando usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. San Fernando gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, San Fernando is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Fernando in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Fernando as well as Ponce. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
San Fernando usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. San Fernando gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In the winter, San Fernando often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. San Fernando gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, San Fernando is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in San Fernando average around 26°C (78°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Fernando 26°C (78°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit San Fernando or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and San Fernando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, San Fernando usually receives less rain than Ponce. San Fernando gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. San Fernando usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. San Fernando gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
San Fernando is around the same temperature as Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in San Fernando averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Fernando 27°C (81°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and San Fernando
| San Fernando | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 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.