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

Should you visit Temuco or Ponce?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Temuco and Ponce. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Temuco or Ponce?

Temuco

Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.

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 Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Temuco?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Temuco is $80, 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 Temuco and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Temuco $44
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Temuco $88
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Temuco and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Temuco 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 Temuco


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: Temuco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Temuco $23
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco

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

  • Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
  • Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
  • Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
  • Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140

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 Temuco or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Temuco 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
    Temuco $22
    Ponce $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Temuco $7.85
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Temuco

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

  • Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Temuco $5.13
    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
  • 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 Temuco and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Temuco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Temuco is in South America 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 Temuco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Temuco 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 Temuco.

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


Which is Bigger, Temuco or Ponce?

Temuco has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Temuco 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 Temuco or Ponce?

Temuco 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 Temuco or Ponce in the Summer?

Both Ponce and Temuco during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In January, Temuco is generally much colder than Poncein July. Daily temperatures in Temuco 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 Temuco. In the summer, Temuco often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Poncein July. Temuco gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.

Temuco usually gets less rain in January than Poncein July. Temuco gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Temuco 17°C (62°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Temuco or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Temuco and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Temuco is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Temuco averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Temuco usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Temuco gets 150 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 April, Temuco usually receives less rain than Poncein October. Temuco gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Temuco 12°C (53°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Temuco or Ponce in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Temuco as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

In the winter, Temuco is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Temuco in July average around 8°C (46°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Temuco often gets less sunshine than Poncein January. Temuco gets 78 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.

Temuco receives a lot of rain in the winter. Temuco usually gets more rain in July than Poncein January. Temuco gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Temuco 8°C (46°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Temuco or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Temuco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Temuco is generally much colder than Poncein April. Daily temperatures in Temuco average around 12°C (54°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. Temuco usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Temuco gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Temuco usually receives more rain than Poncein April. Temuco gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Temuco 12°C (54°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Temuco

Temuco Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 17°C (62°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 17°C (63°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 9°C (47°F) 177 mm (7 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 8°C (46°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 10°C (50°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)