Which place is cheaper, Punta Cana or Kingston?
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 Kingston or Punta Cana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Punta Cana, 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 Punta Cana?
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.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana, located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. This Caribbean paradise offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all types of travelers, whether you're on a tight budget, seeking thrilling activities, exploring local cuisine, or figuring out the best 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.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesPunta Cana Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $126Punta Cana $181
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $126, while the average daily cost in Punta Cana is $181. 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 Punta Cana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Punta Cana $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Punta Cana $202
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Punta Cana
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Punta Cana? 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Punta Cana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Punta Cana $6.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
- Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $70
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (4 - 9 Persons): $159
- Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:
- “Private Airport Transfer to La Romana & Bayahibe from Punta Cana: $47
- “Round-Trip Private Transfer: Punta Cana Airport ↔ Bávaro Hotels”: $25
- “Round-Trip Private Transfer: Punta Cana Airport ↔ Uvero Alto ”: $27
- 1 Hour Beach Photoshoot in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transfer: $240
- Affordable Private SUBURBAN Transfer from Punta Cana Airport: $6.50
- Airport Transfer to Hotels in Punta Cana: $79
- Airport Transfers Punta Cana - Punta Cana Airport Transfers: $55
- Airport Transfers to Punta Cana / Bavaro and Uvero Alto Hotels: $28
- Airport Transfers, Prívate Exclusive Excursions.: $70
- Airport Transportation Transfer Private to/from Uvero Alto Hotels: $35
- Arrive in Punta Cana Like a Star – VIP Escalade Luxury Transfer: $47
- Bavaro|Veron: PUJ Airport to Bavaro|Veron Private Transfer: $7.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Punta Cana?
Prices for flights to both Punta Cana 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
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Food Meals for one dayKingston $45Punta Cana $68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.
- 3hr Punta Cana Cooking Class: Mofonguitos & Morir Soñando: $85
- 'Chillo al Coco' Cooking Class & Taino Concept store: $98
- "PRIVATE"- Wild Dominican Sancocho Cooking Adventure!: $99
- Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $108
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $118
- Unique Night Tour, Cenote Swim, & Dinner: $122
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $139
- Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $145
- Private: Nighttime Buggy Ride with Dinner & Open: $145
- Dinner in the Sky Experience in Punta Cana: $149
- Night Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim & Dinner Combo: $190
- Night Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim & Dinner Combo: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Punta Cana $32
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Rhythmic Walking Music Tour: $40
- Guided Bar Hopping Tour with VIP Speakeasy Entry: $40
- Judgement Yard Tour: $50
- Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
- Kingston Night Market Experience from Kingston: $55
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios: $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
Typical Entertainment Prices in Punta Cana
Here are a few typical costs in Punta Cana for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Dune Buggy Adventure$54
Tours and Activities in Punta Cana
Here are a few actual costs in Punta Cana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Souvenir Shopping Tour with Traditional Tastings: $2.00
- Saona Island Classic Tour with Lunch & Drinks: $2.50
- Shopping Tour In Don Lucas Cigar Factory, Rum tasting, Cocoa factory, Souvenirs: $5.00
- Santo Domingo: Panoramic tour to Punta Cana with Buggy Ride: $5.00
- Shopping Tour In Don Lucas Cigar Factory: $5.00
- Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transportation: $5.00
- Guided Shopping Tour - Rum tasting, chocolate factory, Cigar factory: $5.00
- Tour de Compras: Chocolate, Café y Artesanías en Punta Cana.: $5.00
- Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Pickup: $6.00
- Guided Shopping Tour to Bella Mare Store (Cigars, Chocolate, Rum and Souvenirs): $6.00
- Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Free Pickup: $6.00
- Cigar Purchase Tour From Punta Cana with Transportation Included: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Punta Cana $11
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta Cana
Also in Punta Cana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl in Punta Cana: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Punta Cana, we can see that Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Punta Cana?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Punta Cana. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Punta Cana, 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.