Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Ponce?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
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 Safaris in Tanzania, and The Best Safaris in Tanzania.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, 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 Dar es Salaam and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
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 Dar es Salaam or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $33Ponce $61
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
- Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
- Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
- The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Ponce $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 Dar es Salaam and Ponce, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Ponce much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Ponce would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ponce 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Ponce.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Ponce?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or Ponce?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Dar es Salaam during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Ponce. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Ponce. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Ponce. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Ponce. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.