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

Should you visit Ponce or Banff?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Ponce and Banff 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: Ponce or Banff?

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).

Banff

Nestled in the pristine and gorgeous mountains of the Alberta Rockies is the popular town of Banff. This town sits right in Canada's Banff National Park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

While the surrounding nature may give the impression of a quiet, little town, Banff is typically crowded with tourists. The beauty of this area is irresistible for travelers from all over the world. This may not be the place for solitude or even an authentic, country experience, you'll still find an unforgettable vacation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Banff or Ponce?

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 Ponce is $230, while the average daily cost in Banff is $105. 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 Ponce and Banff in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Banff $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Banff

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Banff? 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 Ponce


Hotels in Banff


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: Banff Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Banff $5.18

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:

  • Larch Valley/Moraine Lake Shuttle Transfer from Banff and Canmore: $118
  • Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $172
  • Banff Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Transfer: $218
  • Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $286
  • All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $796
  • Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $839

Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Banff?

Prices for flights to both Banff and Ponce 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
    Ponce $61
    Banff $49

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

Typical Food Prices in Banff

Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:


  • Tea House Lunch for Two
    $33
  • Hostel Breakfast
    $27
  • McDonalds
    $4.63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.

  • Bites and Sites of Canmore Walking Food Tour: $78
  • Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour: $85
  • A Taste of Banff Food Tour: $106
  • Winter Tour with Dinner & Nightrise at Banff Gondola: $166

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ponce $56
    Banff $12

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
  • Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
  • 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:


  • Hot Springs
    $5.31

Tours and Activities in Banff

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Banff are as follows:

  • Town of Banff Highlights 2 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
  • Tips-Based Walking Tour & Town Highlights: $4.02
  • Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $8.10
  • The Sights of a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.12
  • Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour : $8.12
  • The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.14
  • Banff Cave & Hot Springs Audio Walking Tour (Not a Ticket): $9.99
  • Explore Banff National Park: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $14
  • The Sacred Mountains Of Banff And Canmore Walking Tour: $28
  • Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary Walk Ticket in Canada: $29
  • Paranormal History Walking Ghost Tour: $29
  • From Calgary: Moraine, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon- Shared Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Banff $9.33

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Banff

Also in Banff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Park Distillery Tour with Craft Spirits Tasting: $11
  • Park Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting: $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Banff, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Banff is in North America, 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 Banff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banff 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 Banff.

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


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Banff?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Banff, 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.