Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Valdosta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Valdosta or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Valdosta 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: Valdosta or Ponce?
Valdosta
Valdosta is a fast-growing city located in Southern Georgia in the United States. With a humid, subtropical climate, Valdosta is sometimes called the Azalea City, as the blossoms thrive in the area. The city is also home to many museums, galleries, restaurants, and venues for entertainment, as well as Valdosta State University.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayValdosta $136Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Valdosta is $136, 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 Valdosta and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValdosta $70Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValdosta $140Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Valdosta and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Valdosta 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: Valdosta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valdosta $34Ponce $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 Valdosta or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Valdosta 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 dayValdosta $45Ponce $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.Valdosta $19Ponce $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 dayValdosta $27Ponce $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 Valdosta and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Valdosta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valdosta is in North 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 Valdosta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdosta 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 Valdosta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Valdosta Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Valdosta or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Valdosta. When comparing the sizes of Valdosta 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 Valdosta or Ponce?
Valdosta 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 Valdosta or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Valdosta during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Valdosta is around the same temperature as Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Valdosta averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdosta. Valdosta usually gets more rain in July than Ponce. Valdosta gets 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyValdosta 82°F (28°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Valdosta or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valdosta and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Valdosta is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valdosta in October average around 69°F (20°C), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Valdosta usually receives less rain than Ponce. Valdosta gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberValdosta 69°F (20°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Valdosta or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Valdosta as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In January, Valdosta is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Valdosta average around 51°F (11°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Valdosta usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Valdosta gets 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryValdosta 51°F (11°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Valdosta or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Valdosta 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.
Valdosta is cooler than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Valdosta averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Valdosta. In April, Valdosta usually receives more rain than Ponce. Valdosta gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilValdosta 67°F (19°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Valdosta
| Valdosta | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 60°F (16°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (168 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.9 inches (227 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (175 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 6.7 inches (169 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 69°F (20°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 60°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 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.