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

Should you visit Tromso 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 Tromso 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: Tromso or Ponce?

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Tromso?

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 Tromso is $83, 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 Tromso and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tromso $32
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tromso $64
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Tromso and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Tromso 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 Tromso


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: Tromso Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tromso $11
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tromso

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

  • Tromsø Private Airport-Hotel Transfer Service up to 13 guests: $45
  • Private Transfer Tromso Airport and City Vice Versa: $93
  • Tromso Cable Car Arctic Panorama Transfer: $123

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 Tromso or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Tromso 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
    Tromso $43
    Ponce $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tromso

For Tromso, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hours Private Walking Food Tour in Norway: $185
  • Reindeer Camp Dinner with Chance of Northern Lights in Tromso: $201
  • Night Reindeer Sledding with Camp Dinner and Chance of Northern Lights: $205

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.
    Tromso $6.59
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Tromso

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

  • Cod Tasting experience, Norwegian history and Food culture: $61
  • Mid-Day Polar Expedition Cruise Tour: $82
  • Tromsø: Northern Lights Adventure with Free Photos: $86
  • 1 Hour Photo & History Cruise: $92
  • 4 Hour Aurora Tour Photos Snacks and Warm Drinks Included: $98
  • 7 hours Tromsø Aurora Tour: Photos, snacks & warm drinks included: $98
  • Northern Lights Walking Tour: $123
  • Northern Lights Tour in Tromso : $123
  • Express Fjord Road trip with Cruise Ship Pick up and Drop off: $129
  • Tromsø: Kvaløya & Sommarøy Guided Fjord Tour with Lunch: $131
  • Aurora tour: $134
  • Arctic fjord and Landscape Tour: $139

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
    Tromso $5.47
    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 Tromso and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Tromso much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tromso 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 Tromso would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tromso 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 Tromso.

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


Which is Bigger, Tromso or Ponce?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Tromso 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 Tromso or Ponce?

Tromso 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 Tromso or Ponce in the Summer?

Both Ponce and Tromso during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Tromso because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In July, Tromso is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Tromso average around 12°C (54°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 Tromso. In the summer, Tromso often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Tromso gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.

Tromso usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Tromso gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tromso 12°C (54°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Tromso or Ponce in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tromso and Ponce. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tromso this time of year. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the autumn. Tromso is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tromso averages around 3°C (37°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. Tromso usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Tromso gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tromso gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tromso usually receives less rain than Ponce. Tromso gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tromso 3°C (37°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Tromso or Ponce in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tromso as well as Ponce. Many travelers come to Tromso for the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. In the winter, Tromso is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tromso in January average around -4°C (25°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, Tromso often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Tromso gets 3 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.

Tromso usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Tromso gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tromso -4°C (25°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Tromso or Ponce in the Spring?

Both Ponce and Tromso are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tromso in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Tromso can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Tromso is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Tromso average around 1°C (33°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. Tromso usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Tromso gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tromso usually receives less rain than Ponce. Tromso gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tromso 1°C (33°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Tromso

Tromso Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (25°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 1°C (33°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 5°C (41°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 10°C (49°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 3°C (37°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov -1°C (31°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec -3°C (27°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)