Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Duck?
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 Duck or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Duck 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: Duck or Ponce?
Duck
Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.
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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Duck Prices
USA PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck $221Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $221, 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 Duck and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck $107Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck $214Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Duck and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Duck 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck $66Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- 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
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Duck 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 dayDuck $78Ponce $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.Duck $13Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Prive Tours in Puerto Rico: $40
- Las Tinajas Waterfall: Guided Short Hike Adventure from Fajardo: $55
- Walking Guided Tour of History and Myths of Old San Juan : $60
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- Half-Day Small-Group River Experience in El Yunque with Local : $68
- El Yunque Rainforest, Waterslides & Beach Tour from San Juan: $75
- Party Bus Experience in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck $45Ponce $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 comparing the travel costs between Duck and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Duck is in North America and Ponce is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 270 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck 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 Duck or Ponce?
Duck 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 Duck or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Duck in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Duck is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Duck in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during summer. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Duck. In July, Duck usually receives more rain than Ponce. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDuck 78°F (26°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Duck or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Duck during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Duck for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In October, Duck is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 62°F (16°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck. In the autumn, Duck often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Duck usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDuck 62°F (16°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Duck or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Ponce. The winter months attract visitors to Duck because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Duck can be very cold. Duck is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Duck usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Duck usually receives more rain than Ponce. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDuck 41°F (5°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Duck or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Duck as well as Ponce. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Duck this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In the spring, Duck is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Duck in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In the spring, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Duck usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDuck 59°F (15°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Duck
| Duck | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 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.