A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Cabarete for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Cabarete?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Cabarete, 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: Kingston or Cabarete?

Kingston

Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.

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.

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, Cabarete or Kingston?

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 Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Cabarete is $177. 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 Kingston and Cabarete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $63
    Cabarete $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $126
    Cabarete $146
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Cabarete

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Cabarete? 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 Kingston


Hotels in Cabarete


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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Cabarete Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Cabarete $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Transfer from Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston Hotels: $150
  • Transfer for Kingston Airport to or from Hotels in Falmouth Area: $173
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
  • Private Transfers: Kingston Airport ↔ Montego Bay Area: $215
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
  • Private Transfer to and from Kingston International Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer from Kingston hotel to Falmouth Cruise Port: $192
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $192
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast: $240

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete

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

  • Cibao Airport (STI) to Sosua/Cabarete - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Puerto Plata Airport Transfer to Sosua: $30
  • Puerto Plata: Private Airport Transfer to/from Cabarete: $40
  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $22
  • Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $43
  • Sosua/Cabarete to Puerto Plata Airport (POP) - Departure Transfer: $57
  • Transfer privado from cabarete to Puerto Plata Airport: $49
  • Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
  • Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
  • Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
  • Transfers from Santo Domingo Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Cabarete?

Prices for flights to both Cabarete and Kingston 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
    Kingston $45
    Cabarete $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Cabarete $52

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • ATV Dirt bike adventure in ocho rios: $130
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Kingston: $282
  • Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting & Farm Tour from Kingston: $150
  • Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
  • Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
  • Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $125
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Cultural City Tour of Kingston: $105

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: $45
  • Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $80
  • Buggie & atv adventure Jungle Adventure: $80
  • Jamao al Norte: Hidden River Kayak Adventure & Nature Escape: $80
  • VIP All-Inclusive City Tour: Luxury Beach Experience: $85
  • Puerto Plata Half-Day Yásica River Tubing Adventure: $95
  • Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $123
  • 27 Waterfalls: Zip 'n Splash Adventure with Horse Ride: $125
  • Puerto Plata: Monkey Enconter & Zip line Adventure: $125
  • 4 Wheel Adventure: $127
  • Private: Cabarete ATV Countryside & Beach Adventure: $127
  • Excursions 3 in 1 Monkey Home Waterfalls And City Tours: $130

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Cabarete $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:

  • Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144


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

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Cabarete?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Cabarete, 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.