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

Should you visit Ponce or Galveston?

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 Galveston 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 Galveston?

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).

Galveston

Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.

Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Galveston 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 Galveston is $221. 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 Galveston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Galveston $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Galveston $162
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Galveston

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Galveston? 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 Galveston


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: Galveston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Galveston $35

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 Ponce or Galveston?

Prices for flights to both Galveston 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
    Galveston $90

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.
    Ponce $56
    Galveston $15

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

Tours and Activities in Galveston

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.

  • Galveston Luggage Storage Close to Cruise Terminal: $9.54
  • Beer Tasting Experience with 4 Beer Flight: $10
  • Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion: $18
  • Al's Ghost tour : a small group experience : $19
  • Tour of haunted locations with ghost hunting gear.: $20
  • Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour : $23
  • Galveston's Secrets of the Strand Walking Tour : $23
  • The Grimoire Ghouls and Graves: Galveston Ghost Tour: $24
  • The Grimoire Ghouls and Graves: Galveston Ghost Tour: $25
  • Dolphin-Watching Cruise: $25
  • Galveston Shadows Ghost Tour Adventure: $25
  • Galveston Sweets and Treats Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Galveston $37

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 Galveston

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

  • Haunted Pub Crawl & Scandalous Red Light Tour: $20
  • Galveston's Best Pub Crawl: $20
  • Haunted Pub Crawl & Scandalous Red Light Tour in Galveston: $29
  • Galveston's Best Pub Crawl and Historical Tour near The Strand: $29
  • Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
  • Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35


When comparing the travel costs between Ponce and Galveston, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Galveston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Galveston?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Galveston, 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 Galveston?

Galveston 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 Galveston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Galveston. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Galveston for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ponce is around the same temperature as Galveston in the summer. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Galveston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Ponce usually gets more rain in July than Galveston. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ponce 28°C (83°F) 
    Galveston 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Galveston in the Autumn?

Both Galveston and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Galveston because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Ponce is a little warmer than Galveston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ponce in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Galveston averages at about 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Galveston. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ponce 28°C (82°F) 
    Galveston 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Galveston in the Winter?

Both Galveston and Ponce during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galveston this time of year.

In January, Ponce is generally much warmer than Galveston. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 25°C (77°F), and Galveston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Galveston. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ponce 25°C (77°F) 
    Galveston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Galveston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Galveston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm.

Ponce is a little warmer than Galveston in the spring. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Galveston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In April, Ponce usually receives more rain than Galveston. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ponce 26°C (79°F) 
    Galveston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Galveston and Ponce

Ponce Galveston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 52°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 55°F (13°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 70°F (21°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 84°F (29°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 83°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (141 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 71°F (22°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 63°F (17°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)