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

Should you visit Ponce or Mystic?

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 Mystic 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 Mystic?

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).

Mystic

Mystic is a popular tourist destination in Connecticut for its many marinas, historic buildings, aquarium, and seaport. It was historically a shipbuilding and maritime town but today it attracts crowds from many nearby states and regions. Sailing trips are a fun activity that get visitors out on the water. The town is also near Foxwoods Casino.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Mystic 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 Mystic is $248. 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 Mystic in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Mystic $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Mystic $250
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Mystic

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Mystic? 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 Mystic


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: Mystic Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Mystic $56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:

  • Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
  • Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
  • 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
  • San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
  • Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
  • Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
  • Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
  • Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Mystic?

Prices for flights to both Mystic 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
    Mystic $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
    Mystic $24

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 Mystic

For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Mystic's Ghosts GPS Self Guided Audio Walking Tour w/EMF Reader: $7.80
  • Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
  • Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
  • Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
  • Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $32
  • Guided Graveyard Ghost Tour by Moonlight: $35
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Mystic $31

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 Mystic

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:

  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100


When comparing the travel costs between Ponce and Mystic, we can see that Mystic 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 Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Mystic?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Mystic, 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 Mystic?

Mystic 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 Mystic in the Summer?

Both Mystic and Ponce during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ponce is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (83°F), and Mystic fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the summer, Ponce often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ponce 28°C (83°F) 
    Mystic 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Mystic. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mystic in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Ponce is much warmer than Mystic in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Mystic. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ponce 28°C (82°F) 
    Mystic 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Mystic. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Mystic for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mystic can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ponce is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ponce in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Mystic averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Mystic. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ponce 25°C (77°F) 
    Mystic 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mystic because of the beaches.

In April, Ponce is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 26°C (79°F), and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ponce usually receives less rain than Mystic. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ponce 26°C (79°F) 
    Mystic 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Mystic and Ponce

Ponce Mystic
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)


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