Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
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).
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Ponce Prices
Puerto Rico PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $230Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $230, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Santa Monica? 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: Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ponce $10Santa Monica $50
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 Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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 $61Santa Monica $91
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 Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ponce $56Santa Monica $38
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
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $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 Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
- Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Santa Monica Sinister Sins & Sorrow Ghost Tour: $26
- Santa Monica Art Museum: General Admission Ticket: $28
- LA & Self-Guided Aerospace Legacy Audio Tour: $30
- Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
- Santa Monica Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Home Tour: $49
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- Hollywood Tour with Walk of Fame Stop: $55
- Venice Beach and Santa Monica eBike Tour : $56
- Best of LA Tour with 3 Iconic Stops: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Santa Monica $21
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 Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
When comparing the travel costs between Ponce and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ponce or Santa Monica?
Ponce has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?
Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica in the Summer?
Both Santa Monica 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, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Ponce is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In July, Ponce usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
Both Santa Monica 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, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Ponce is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ponce in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Santa Monica in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Ponce is generally much warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In January, Ponce usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Ponce or Santa Monica in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Santa Monica. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
Ponce is much warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
Ponce usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Ponce
| Ponce | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.