Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Veracruz or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Ponce?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $122Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $122, 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 Veracruz and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $54Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $108Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $28Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Airport Transfer: $25
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
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 Veracruz or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $50Ponce $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.Veracruz $15Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour: $7.87
- Panoramic Sightseeing Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress of Veracruz Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Sightseeing City Tour and Aquarium: $22
- From Nature & Seafood Boat Tour to Madinga: $23
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Sightseeing City Tour and Wax & Ripley´s Museums: $25
- From San Juan de Ulua Prison Tour: $26
- Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $26
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- San Juan De Ulua Tour: $29
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 dayVeracruz $17Ponce $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 Veracruz and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Veracruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz 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 Veracruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Veracruz 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 Veracruz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Veracruz Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Ponce?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Ponce?
Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Veracruz during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Veracruz is around the same temperature as Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Veracruz. In the summer, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets more rain in July than Ponce. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 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 JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Veracruz in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Veracruz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Veracruz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 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 OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Ponce. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In January, Veracruz is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 21°C (71°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Veracruz usually gets less rain in January than Ponce. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 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 JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Veracruz 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.
Veracruz is around the same temperature as Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Veracruz usually receives less rain than Ponce. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 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 AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Veracruz
| Veracruz | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.