A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabarete vs. Saint John's for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cabarete or Saint John's?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cabarete or Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?

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.

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Cabarete?

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 Cabarete is $170, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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 Saint John's in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cabarete $70
    Saint John's $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cabarete $140
    Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Cabarete and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Cabarete or Saint John's? 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 Cabarete


Hotels in Saint Johns


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cabarete $39
    Saint John's $17

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
  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $45
  • Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
  • Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
  • Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
  • Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200

Is it cheaper to fly into Cabarete or Saint John's?

Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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 day
    Cabarete $68
    Saint John's $117

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
  • Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cabarete $50
    Saint John's $103

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: $60
  • 27 Waterfalls Damajagua Tour from Cabarete Sosua & Puerto Plata: $79
  • Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $81
  • Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
  • Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
  • Paradise Island Cruise Snorkeling Excursion: $95
  • 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
  • Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
  • 4 Wheel Adventure: $128
  • 10-Hour Guided Tour of Samana and Bacardi Island Los Haitises: $130
  • Super Buggy Tour in Puerto Plata Shore/hotel + Lunch: $161
  • Scuba Diving tour in puerto plata Hotel/Cruise: $189

Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Island Flava Discovery Tour: $150
  • 6-Hours Tour East Coast of Antigua: Stingray City, Lunch & Beach: $195
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $143
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $221
  • Antigua Eco Island Tour (City, Country, Beach, & Heritage Sites): $199
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $172
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua VIP Tours - Private Platinum Tour: $170
  • Antigua VIP Tours - Semi-Private Gold Tour: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cabarete $16
    Saint John's $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabarete and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Cabarete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cabarete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cabarete 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Cabarete.

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


Which is Bigger, Cabarete or Saint John's?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Cabarete and Saint John's, 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.