Which place is cheaper, Richmond 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 Richmond?
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 Richmond 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 Richmond?
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).
Richmond
One of the oldest American cities, Richmond was established in 1607 by English settlers led by Captain Christopher Newport and Captain John Smith. During the Civil War it existed as the capital of the Confederacy, and today it remains the capital of the U.S. state of Virginia. There are many historic sights to see and museums to explore, as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Ponce Prices
Puerto Rico PricesRichmond Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $230Richmond $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $230, while the average daily cost in Richmond is $176. 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 Richmond in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Richmond $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Richmond $202
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Richmond
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Richmond? 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: Richmond Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Richmond $72
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 Richmond
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Richmond:
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $175
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $175
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Richmond?
Prices for flights to both Richmond 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 $61Richmond $36
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 Richmond
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Richmond.
- Church Hill Food Tour: $89
- Trendy Carytown Food Tour: $89
- The Carytown Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Church Hill Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond with Discover Richmond: $90
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $94
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Richmond $13
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 Richmond
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Richmond are as follows:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Crazy Dash: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- The Haunted History of Richmond tour: $25
- Uncivil Wards History Tour: $25
- The Church Hill tour with Historian Jane: $25
- Shadows of Shockoe Ghost Tour: $26
- Haunted Capitol Hill Ghost Tour: $27
- Church Hill Chillers Ghost Tour: $27
- Phantoms of Franklin Ghost Tour: $27
- Creepy Tales on Campus Ghost Tour: $27
- Specters & Shades of Court End Ghost Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Richmond -
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 Richmond
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Richmond:
- Richmond Virginia Bar Crawl: $15
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $37
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $86
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Richmond, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Richmond much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Richmond 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 Richmond would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Richmond 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 Richmond.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Richmond Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ponce or Richmond?
Richmond has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Richmond, 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 Richmond?
Richmond 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 Richmond in the Summer?
Both Richmond 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, most visitors come to Richmond for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Ponce is around the same temperature as Richmond. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ponce in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Richmond averages at about 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Richmond. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond during summer. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Richmond. In July, Ponce usually receives less rain than Richmond. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Richmond 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Richmond in the Autumn?
Both Richmond 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Richmond because of the shopping scene.
In October, Ponce is generally much warmer than Richmond. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (82°F), and Richmond fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the autumn, Ponce often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually gets more rain in October than Richmond. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Richmond 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Richmond in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Richmond. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Richmond this time of year.
It's quite cold in Richmond in the winter. Ponce is much warmer than Richmond in the winter. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Richmond fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Richmond during winter. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ponce usually receives less rain than Richmond. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Richmond 36°F (2°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Richmond in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Richmond. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Ponce is much warmer than Richmond. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ponce in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Richmond averages at about 58°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the spring, Ponce often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun.
Ponce usually gets less rain in April than Richmond. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Richmond 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Richmond and Ponce
| Ponce | Richmond | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.