A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jekyll Island vs. Ponce for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Ponce?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Ponce can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Jekyll Island or Ponce?

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island, located just off the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia, has become a popular vacation destination for beach-goers and adventure seekers alike as one of the state's "Golden Isles." The historic district is full of late nineteenth-early twentieth century buildings to explore, and the places left to nature are full of beauty and are inhabited by an array of local wildlife.

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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Jekyll Island?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jekyll Island is $189, 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 Jekyll Island and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jekyll Island $88
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jekyll Island $176
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Jekyll Island and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Jekyll Island 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.

Hotels in Jekyll Island


Hotels in Ponce


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: Jekyll Island Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jekyll Island $41
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
  • Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
  • 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
  • San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
  • Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
  • Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
  • Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
  • Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Jekyll Island or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Jekyll Island 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jekyll Island $77
    Ponce $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jekyll Island $10
    Ponce $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
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jekyll Island $6.43
    Ponce $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 Jekyll Island and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Jekyll Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Ponce?

Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island or Ponce in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Ponce. The summer months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

In July, Jekyll Island is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 82°F (28°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jekyll Island this time of the year. In the summer, Jekyll Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in July than Ponce. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Jekyll Island 82°F (28°C) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Ponce in the Autumn?

Both Ponce and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Jekyll Island is cooler than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In October, Jekyll Island usually receives less rain than Ponce. Jekyll Island gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Jekyll Island 70°F (21°C) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Ponce in the Winter?

Both Ponce and Jekyll Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In the winter, Jekyll Island is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jekyll Island in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Jekyll Island often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Jekyll Island 53°F (12°C) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Ponce in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Ponce. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the spring for the beaches. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Jekyll Island is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 68°F (20°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during spring. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Jekyll Island gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Jekyll Island 68°F (20°C) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)


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