Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Ushuaia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ushuaia or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ushuaia or Ponce? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ushuaia or Ponce?
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
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 Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUshuaia $11Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Ushuaia is $11, 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 Ushuaia and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUshuaia $5.64Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUshuaia $11Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Ushuaia and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Ushuaia 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ushuaia -Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.25
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.48
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $10
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel in shared service: $19
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia Port : $25
- Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $25
- Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $25
- Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia): $27
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 Ushuaia or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Ushuaia 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 dayUshuaia $2.18Ponce $35
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
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.Ushuaia $13Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- Panoramic City Train Tour: $10
- Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $22
- Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $24
- Ushuaia City Tour: $26
- Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour: $31
- An Hour Tour in the City of Ushuaia: $32
- City Tour of Ushuaia: $42
- End of the World Train Ticket: $45
- Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise: $45
- Half-Day Tierra del Fuego National Park (NOT CRUISE): $59
- Escondido & Fagnano Lake Tour: $60
- Tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park from Ushuaia: $62
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 dayUshuaia -Ponce $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
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 Ushuaia and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ushuaia Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ushuaia or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia or Ponce?
Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Ushuaia during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the summer, Ushuaia is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ushuaia in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than Poncein July. Ushuaia gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Ushuaia usually gets less rain in January than Poncein July. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyUshuaia 10°C (50°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ushuaia and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Ushuaia is generally much colder than Poncein October. Daily temperatures in Ushuaia average around 6°C (43°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Ushuaia usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Ushuaia gets 74 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, Ushuaia usually receives less rain than Poncein October. Ushuaia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberUshuaia 6°C (43°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ushuaia as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
The weather in Ushuaia can be very cold. Ushuaia is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Ushuaia averages around 2°C (36°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Ushuaia often gets less sunshine than Poncein January. Ushuaia gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Ushuaia usually gets less rain in July than Poncein January. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryUshuaia 2°C (36°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Ushuaia or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Ushuaia 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 the spring, Ushuaia is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ushuaia in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Ushuaia usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Ushuaia gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Ushuaia usually receives less rain than Poncein April. Ushuaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilUshuaia 6°C (43°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Ushuaia
| Ushuaia | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.