Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Ocean City?
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 Ocean City or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ocean City 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: Ocean City or Ponce?
Ocean City
One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.
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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Ocean City Prices
USA PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcean City $196Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocean City is $196, 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 Ocean City and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcean City $83Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcean City $166Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Ocean City and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Ocean City 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: Ocean City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocean City $47Ponce $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 Ocean City or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Ocean City 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 dayOcean City $85Ponce $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.Ocean City $18Ponce $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 dayOcean City $14Ponce $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 Ocean City and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocean City 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 Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean City 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 Ocean City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ocean City Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Ponce?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Ponce?
Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Ocean City is generally cooler than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 77°F (25°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Ponce. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 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 JulyOcean City 77°F (25°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Ocean City is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 58°F (14°C) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocean City usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 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 OctoberOcean City 58°F (14°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Ponce. The winter months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Ocean City can be very cold. In the winter, Ocean City is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocean City in January average around 35°F (2°C), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In January, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Ponce. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 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 JanuaryOcean City 35°F (2°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Ponce. The beaches are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
In April, Ocean City is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 54°F (12°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Ocean City usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 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 AprilOcean City 54°F (12°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Ocean City
| Ocean City | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 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.