Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Nags Head?
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 Nags Head or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nags Head 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: Nags Head or Ponce?
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
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 Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Nags Head Prices
USA PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNags Head $179Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $179, 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 Nags Head and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNags Head $80Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNags Head $160Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Nags Head 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: Nags Head Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nags Head $40Ponce $10
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 Nags Head or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Nags Head 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 dayNags Head $71Ponce $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.Nags Head $14Ponce $56
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks: $17
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours- The Original Ghost Tour of the Outer Banks: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows: $26
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- Nags Head Kayak Tour: $55
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $65
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 dayNags Head $12Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Nags Head
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nags Head:
- Wine Tasting And Boat Ride: $109
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 Nags Head and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nags Head 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 Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 Nags Head.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nags Head Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Ponce?
Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Nags Head during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nags Head in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the summer, Nags Head is around the same temperature as Ponce. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nags Head in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (83°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the summer, Nags Head often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Nags Head gets 274 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 Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets more rain in July than Ponce. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNags Head 78°F (26°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Ponce. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Nags Head is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 62°F (16°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ponce receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Ponce. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNags Head 62°F (16°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Ponce. The winter months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
The weather in Nags Head can be very cold. Nags Head is much colder than Ponce in the winter. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the winter, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nags Head usually gets more rain in January than Ponce. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNags Head 41°F (5°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Nags Head or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Nags Head 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.
In the spring, Nags Head is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nags Head in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Ponce averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce during spring. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Ponce. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNags Head 59°F (15°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Nags Head
| Nags Head | 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.