Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Cabarete?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cabarete or Liberia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cabarete or Liberia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Cabarete or Liberia?
Cabarete
Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Cabarete Prices
Dominican Republic PricesLiberia Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCabarete $181Liberia $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Cabarete is $181, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $141. 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 Cabarete and Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCabarete $74Liberia $66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCabarete $148Liberia $132
Compare Hotels in Cabarete and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in Cabarete or Liberia? 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: Cabarete Hotel Prices and Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cabarete $42Liberia $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete
Also for Cabarete, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Puerto Plata Airport Transfer to Sosua: $30
- Puerto Plata: Private Airport Transfer to/from Cabarete: $40
- Cibao Airport (STI) to Sosua/Cabarete - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $45
- Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
- Sosua/Cabarete to Puerto Plata Airport (POP) - Departure Transfer: $59
- Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
- Transfers from Santo Domingo Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
- Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
-
Bike Rental$27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- private transfer Liberia Airport to Playa Guiones Guanacaste: $40
- Transfers Liberia Airport, One-way: $190
- Transfers In Guanacaste To and From Liberia Airport: $20
- Transfer from Playas del Coco to Liberia Airport (LIR): $95
- Transfer from Playa Hermosa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $95
- Transfer from Nosara Beach to Liberia Airport (LIR): $280
- Transfer from Liberia Airport to Tamarindo: $150
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Palace Hotel in Guanacaste: $90
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel in Guanacaste: $95
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Rio Perdido Resort: $210
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playas del Coco Guanacaste: $95
- Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Hermosa Guanacaste: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Cabarete or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia and Cabarete 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 dayCabarete $72Liberia $40
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
-
Snacks$2.17
-
Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$5.45
-
Lunch$13
-
Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$15
-
Ginger Ale$1.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara: $65
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef: $250
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cabarete $53Liberia $28
Tours and Activities in Cabarete
For Cabarete, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Deep Caves in Cabarete with Guided Tour and Swimming: $35
- Buggie & atv adventure Jungle Adventure: $80
- Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $80
- VIP All-Inclusive City Tour: Luxury Beach Experience: $85
- Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
- Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
- Private Full Day Beach Tour in Puerto Plata: $100
- 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
- Combo Monkeys & plantation & city tours amber cove and Taino bay: $108
- Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
- 27 Waterfalls: Zip 'n Splash Adventure with Horse Ride: $125
- Monkey Enconter & Zip line Adventure: $125
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- "Volcano Adventure & Hot Springs Tour from Guanacaste: $170
- 1 Day Private Tour in Nicaragua From Guanacaste Costa Rica: $236
- 2 Hour ATV Experience From Guanacaste: $189
- 2 days Animal Lovers Combo : Palo Verde & Sloth Discovery Tour: $275
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $130
- 3 In 1 Volcano Hot Springs & Mud Baths And River Floating Tour: $300
- 4-Hour Private Guided ATV Tour in Costa Rica: $132
- 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $150
- 8 Essential Guanacaste Experiences: culture, nature & wellness: $78
- 8 ways to awaken your senses. adventure, nature & wellness: $89
- ATV Beach Tour: $125
- ATV Off-Road Tour to Guanacaste Beaches, Rivers & Forest: $116
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCabarete $17Liberia $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Liberia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Liberia:
- Pirate History Pub Crawl in Playas Del Coco: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabarete and Liberia, we can see that Cabarete is more expensive. And not only is Liberia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cabarete is in Caribbean Islands and Liberia is in Central 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 Liberia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Liberia 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 Cabarete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabarete than you might in Liberia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cabarete Expensive? and Is Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cabarete or Liberia?
Liberia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Cabarete and Liberia, 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.
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.