Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Shanghai?
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 Shanghai or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Ponce. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Shanghai or Ponce?
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
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).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Shanghai Prices
China PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $132Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $132, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $230. 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 Shanghai and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $82Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $164Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai or Ponce? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $3.93Ponce $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.64
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Two Subway Tickets$0.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $18
- Private Transfer to/from Shanghai Disneyland Park: $19
- Yiwu Airport Private Transfer, airport pick up drop off services: $20
- Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
- [Airport Transfer] Shanghai Pudong Airport / Hongqiao Airport ⇔ Shanghai City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
- Shanghai City to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $24
- Private Transfer between Shanghai Pudong New Int’l Expo Centre and City Area : $25
- Private Transfer from Shanghai Maglev Train Station to City Area : $25
- Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area : $25
- Private Transfer: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and City Hotel: $26
- Shanghai Airport (PVG) to Shanghai - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $38Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.40
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.29
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Cantelope$1.68
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Dumplings and Soup$2.10
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Duck Dinner$4.21
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Pastries$2.94
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Barbeque Dinner$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Public Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai : $50
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $89
- Huangpu River Crystal Princess Cruise Ticket with dinner: $92
- 2.5hrs Chinese Kitchen Cooking Class: Xiaolongbao Soup Dumplings: $99
- 3-Hour Flexible Private Shanghai Night Tour with Local Dinner Option: $100
- Shanghai night cruise walking tour with delicious dinner: $100
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.55Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
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Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Shanghai Natural History Museum Ticket Booking: $11
- JinMao Tower Ticket Pass Experience: $22
- Huangpu River sightseeing Cruise Ticket from ShiliuPu Pier: $23
- Shanghai Yu Garden and Bund Private Walking Tour: $25
- Shanghai Riverside Small Group Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Shanghai Tower (The Top of Shanghai) Ticket Booking: $38
- Shanghai Downtown Hotel to Baoshan Cruise Port:Private with Meet & Greet service: $38
- Charming Shanghai French Concession Mini-group Walking Tour: $39
- Oriental Pearl Tower Ticket Booking - Optional Buffet: $42
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.46Ponce $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Ponce is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Shanghai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Ponce?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Ponce, 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 Shanghai or Ponce?
Shanghai 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 Shanghai or Ponce in the Summer?
Both Ponce and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Shanghai is around the same temperature as Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Ponce. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In the autumn, Shanghai is cooler than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
Ponce gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Ponce in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Ponce. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. In January, Shanghai is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Ponce. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Ponce. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Shanghai is much colder than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
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.