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

Should you visit Santorini or Ponce?

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

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

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

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 Greece, and The Best Budget Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Santorini?

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 Santorini is $294, 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 Santorini and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini $138
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini $276
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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 Santorini


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: Santorini Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini $41
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Santorini Private Airport Transfer : $29
  • Santorini Private Roundtrip Transfer from/to Airport,Port & Hotel: $72
  • Private Transfers from/to Santorini Port (Athinios) to/from Oia: $108
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $6,138

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 Santorini or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Santorini 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
    Santorini $113
    Ponce $61

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.
    Santorini $41
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Magical Santorini Highlights Private Tour: $120
  • Ferry Tickets between Santorini and Crete Heraklion: $121
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal, Open-Bar & Sunset Views: $155
  • Santorini Classic Highlights and Sightseeing Private Tour: $177
  • Santorini's Story. Insta and TikTok Experience. Private tour : $203
  • Santorini Unlocked: Private Tour with Local Guide & Driver: $203
  • Private Oia and Ammoudi Sunset Experience: $203
  • Private Santorini Sunset Picnic Experience: $203
  • Santorini Private Tour for Wine Enthusiasts: $215
  • Santorini Shopping Therapy: Style & Tradition Tour: $215
  • Private Experience in Santorini with Guide in Spanish: $269

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
    Santorini $29
    Ponce $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting option: $90
  • Private Wine Tasting-Wine Museum- Snacks: 2, 3 or 4 Wineries: $194
  • Private Wine Tour in Santorini - Greece: $203

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 Santorini and Ponce, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Ponce much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Ponce?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.