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

Should you visit Ponce or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

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).

Vancouver

Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Vancouver 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 Vancouver is $165. 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 Vancouver in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ponce $151
    Vancouver $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ponce $302
    Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Vancouver

Looking for a hotel in Ponce or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver


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: Vancouver Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ponce $10
    Vancouver $15

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:


  • SkyTrain from Airport
    $6.35
  • Taxi from Airport to Downtown
    $21
  • 15 min Taxi Ride
    $8.71
  • SkyTrain DayPass
    $6.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver

Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bus Transfer from/to Whistler: $26
  • Bus Transfer from/to Squamish: $26
  • Vancouver Airport Transfer to Vancouver/Whistler (Special Offer): $27
  • Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
  • Group Transfer to/from Vancouver International Airport (YVR): $33
  • Private Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $34
  • Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $40
  • Private Airport Transfer to/from YVR Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Vancouver Hotels to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $47
  • Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Vancouver hotels: $47
  • Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Vancouver hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Ponce or Vancouver?

Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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
    Vancouver $54

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

Typical Food Prices in Vancouver

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:


  • All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch
    $8.79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver

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

  • Vancouver Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Mt Pleasant Food Tour from Vancouver: $81
  • A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $82
  • Vancouver Street Food Tour in Mount Pleasant Neighborhood: $92
  • Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $96
  • Vancouver Food Tour with 6 Tastings of Sushi, Poutine, Chocolate: $97
  • Food Tours Gastown & Downtown with 6+ tastings: $98
  • Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $99
  • Vancouver Local Taste Trail Food Tour: $100
  • Granville Island Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $113
  • Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $114
  • Granville Island Market VIP Walking Food Tour : $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ponce $56
    Vancouver $36

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 Vancouver

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

  • Stanley Park Self Guided Bike Tour: $3.58
  • Gratuity-Based Vancouver City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour: $4.00
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.66
  • Stanley Park Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.27
  • Stanley Park Self Guided Bike Tour: $6.59
  • Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.59
  • Discover Stanley Park: A Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.65
  • Spy Escape in Outdoor Puzzle Adventure: $7.16
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.17
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.32
  • VanDusen Botanical Garden Admission Ticket: $8.21
  • Ticket to Immersive Museum in Chinatown: $8.87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ponce $16
    Vancouver $16

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 Vancouver

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:

  • Vancouver British Columbia Bar Crawl: $15
  • Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
  • Gastown Pub Crawl: $26
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $65
  • 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $86
  • Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $88
  • Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $92
  • North Vancouver Elite Walking Brewery Tour: $95
  • Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $121
  • From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $129
  • Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $132
  • From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $135


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ponce and Vancouver, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ponce is in Caribbean Islands and Vancouver 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 Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

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


Which is Bigger, Ponce or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Ponce and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

Vancouver 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 Vancouver in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Vancouver. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Vancouver for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ponce is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 28°C (83°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. 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 Vancouver. Ponce gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Ponce usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ponce 28°C (83°F) 
    Vancouver 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Ponce or Vancouver in the Autumn?

Both Vancouver 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, many visitors come to Vancouver in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ponce is much warmer than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Ponce gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. It's quite rainy in Ponce. In October, Ponce usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ponce 28°C (82°F) 
    Vancouver 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Ponce or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver 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, most visitors come to Vancouver for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Vancouver can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Ponce is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ponce in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Ponce. In the winter, Ponce often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Ponce gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ponce usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ponce 25°C (77°F) 
    Vancouver 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Ponce or Vancouver in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Vancouver. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Vancouver because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Ponce is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 26°C (79°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ponce usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Ponce gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Ponce usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ponce 26°C (79°F) 
    Vancouver 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Ponce

Ponce Vancouver
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (40°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 179 mm (7.1 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 7°C (45°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 7°C (44°F) 234 mm (9.2 in)
Dec 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 4°C (40°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)