Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Santo Domingo, 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 Santo Domingo?
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.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.
Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.
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 PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Santo Domingo $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $105. 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 Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Santo Domingo $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Santo Domingo $84
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Santo Domingo? 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 Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Santo Domingo $4.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels: $25
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
- Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $45
- Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport To Ocho Rios Hotels: $45
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- “Private Airport Transfer from Santo Domingo (SDQ)”: $52
- Dominican Republic: Premium Private Transfer to Airports (SDQ PUJ STI LRM): $63
- Full-day Santo Domingo Tour with Roundtrip Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $100
- La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Las Américas Airport Private Transfer to Punta Cana: $107
- Las Galeras / Samana to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (5 - 7): $184
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Santo Domingo International Airport (8 - 11): $244
- Private Quad Tour to El Limón Waterfall with Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer SDQ Airport → Santo Domingo | Safe & On-Time: $45
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata Port: $183
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Punta Cana Hotels: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo 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 $45Santo Domingo $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santo Domingo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santo Domingo.
- Cooking Class in Santo Domingo:6 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $42
- Food Tour & Paradise Beach Day with Drinks: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Santo Domingo $15
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
- Bob Marley Museum Entry 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
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:
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Snorkeling Tour$44
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Tour a las Mejores Playas del Caribe: $5.00
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
- Tainos 4D Experience in Santo Domingo's Colonial City: $6.00
- Colonial Zone Tour with tasting: $20
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Tastings: $20
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Coffee: $20
- Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
- Santo Domingo Tuk Tuk Experience: $25
- Zona Colonial Hictorical Tour with a local artist: $30
- Colonial Experience Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Santo Domingo $7.97
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 Santo Domingo, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Santo Domingo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santo Domingo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santo Domingo 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Santo Domingo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Santo Domingo, 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.