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

Should you visit Ponce or Roanoke?

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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke?

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).

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Roanoke 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 Roanoke is $199. 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 Roanoke in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Roanoke $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Roanoke

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Roanoke? 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 Roanoke


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: Roanoke Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Roanoke $23

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 Roanoke?

Prices for flights to both Roanoke 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
    Roanoke $83

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 Roanoke

For Roanoke, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ponce $56
    Roanoke $35

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 Roanoke

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

  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $24
  • Downtown Roanoke Food, History & Cultural Tour: $80
  • E-Bike Mural Tour of Roanoke: $88
  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
  • Blue Ridge Mountain E Bike Tour: $155

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Roanoke $30

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


When comparing the travel costs between Ponce and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Roanoke?

Ponce has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke?

Roanoke 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 Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Roanoke. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Roanoke in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ponce is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ponce in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Roanoke averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In the summer, Ponce often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. Ponce usually gets less rain in July than Roanoke. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ponce 28°C (83°F) 
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke 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, most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Ponce is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (82°F), and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ponce 28°C (82°F) 
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke 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. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Roanoke can be very cold. Ponce is much warmer than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Roanoke. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ponce 25°C (77°F) 
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C)

Should I visit Ponce or Roanoke in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Roanoke. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.

In the spring, Ponce is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ponce in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Roanoke averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ponce usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ponce 26°C (79°F) 
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Ponce

Ponce Roanoke
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)