Which place is cheaper, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Ponce?
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 Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?
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).
Carmel-by-the-Sea
A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.
Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.
If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.
If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Ponce Prices
Puerto Rico PricesCarmel-by-the-Sea Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $230Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $230, while the average daily cost in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $0.00. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Carmel-by-the-Sea -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Carmel-by-the-Sea
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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: Carmel-by-the-Sea Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Carmel-by-the-Sea $125
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 Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Prices for flights to both Carmel-by-the-Sea 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
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Food Meals for one dayPonce $61Carmel-by-the-Sea $264
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Old Monterey Walking Food Tour: $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Carmel-by-the-Sea -
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
Tours and Activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Carmel-by-the-Sea are as follows:
- Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
- Carmel Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Carmel on Foot Audio Tour: Courtyards, Artists & Ocean Views: $9.99
- Scenic Path A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Driving the California Coast: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel: $15
- Point Lobos - A Private Charming Ocean Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1: $20
- Carmel Tour in The Heavenly 17 Mile Drive: $30
- Mist, Mayhem, & Murder: Monterey Ghost Tours: $32
- Half Day Private Big Sur Driving Tour in California: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Carmel-by-the-Sea -
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 Carmel-by-the-Sea
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Carmel-by-the-Sea:
- Wine Tasting Tours in a Vintage VW Bus: $139
- Carmel Valley Village: Wine Tasting Tours in a 1970 VW bus.: $139
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $159
- Carmel Valley Wine Tour's Premium Package: $245
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?
Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.
In the summer, Ponce is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ponce in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 63°F (17°C).
In July, Ponce usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?
Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ponce during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Ponce is generally much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (82°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ponce is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In January, Ponce usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Ponce is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ponce in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 56°F (13°C).
Ponce usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Carmel-by-the-Sea 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Ponce
| Ponce | Carmel-by-the-Sea | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
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.