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

Should you visit Leiden 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 Leiden and Ponce can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Leiden or Ponce?

Leiden

Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest 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 The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Leiden?

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 Leiden 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 Leiden and Ponce in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leiden $91
    Ponce $151
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leiden $182
    Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Ponce

Looking for a hotel in Leiden 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 Leiden


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: Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leiden $30
    Ponce $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leiden

Also for Leiden, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Premium electric transfer from Leiden Area to the Airport: $101
  • Private Tour of The Hague and Leiden including Transfer: $251
  • Historical Private Tour of Delft and Leiden including Transfer: $262

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 Leiden or Ponce?

Prices for flights to both Ponce and Leiden 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
    Leiden $78
    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.
    Leiden $20
    Ponce $56

Tours and Activities in Leiden

For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Pilgrims and Painters of Leiden A Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.94
  • Discover Leiden's Highlights: Your Self-Guided GPS Tour: $8.29
  • Pub Trail an adventure full of surprises: $13
  • Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket: $14
  • Cruise through the Historic City Center with Guide: $15
  • Guided City Canal Cruise: $15
  • The Best of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Self-Guided City Trail Kids Tour in Noordwijk (4-8 years): $23
  • Windmill cruise through Warmond: $23
  • 90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour with puzzles in Leiden: $23
  • historical and entertaining city tour in German: $24
  • Escape Tour Leiden -selfguided citygame- find the secret exit!: $24

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
    Leiden $30
    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 Leiden and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Leiden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leiden is in Europe 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 Leiden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leiden 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 Leiden.

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


Which is Bigger, Leiden or Ponce?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden 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 Leiden or Ponce?

Leiden 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 Leiden or Ponce in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Ponce. Many travelers come to Leiden for the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.

In July, Leiden is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 17°C (62°F), 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 Leiden this time of the year. In the summer, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets less rain in July than Ponce. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Leiden 17°C (62°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Ponce in the Autumn?

Both Ponce and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Leiden in the autumn for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Leiden is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Leiden gets 99 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, Leiden usually receives less rain than Ponce. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Leiden 11°C (51°F) 
    Ponce 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Ponce in the Winter?

Both Ponce and Leiden during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

Leiden can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Leiden is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leiden in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Leiden 2°C (36°F) 
    Ponce 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Ponce in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Leiden is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 8°C (46°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives less rain than Ponce. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Leiden 8°C (46°F) 
    Ponce 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Ponce and Leiden

Leiden Ponce
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)


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