Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay or Santo Domingo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Santo Domingo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Santo Domingo?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
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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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $256Santo Domingo $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $256, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $104. 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 Montego Bay and Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $101Santo Domingo $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $202Santo Domingo $84
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Santo Domingo $4.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.26
- Arrive Like Royalty VIP Airport Transfer from Montego Bay: $9.99
- Private Airport Transfer to Hotels: $10
- Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall Private Airport Transfer: $10
- Halfmoon resort and spa private airport transfer : $10
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: RIU Resorts in Montego Bay: $10
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: RIU Resorts Montego Bay: $10
- MBJ Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer to Hotels: $11
- Airport Transfer Riu Montego / Reggae / Palace: $12
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $17
- Taxi & Transfer From And To Punta Cana International Airport: $20
- Santo Domingo ONLY Transfer to/from Las Americas Airport (SDQ): $20
- Private Transfer from SD to SDQ Airport – Travel Stress-Free!: $25
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $29
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $33
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Santo Domingo City): $34
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $36
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $36
- Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Las Galeras/Samana-Arrival Transfer: $38
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $38
- From 1-Way Private Hotel Transfers: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $140Santo Domingo $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay : $40
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $45
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- 4 Hour Exclusive Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- Private Jamaican Food Tour with City Highlights: $112
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Cooking Class in Montego Bay with Home Chef: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer : $150
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Santo Domingo $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.64
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port Group Transportation Service: $18
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Greenwood Great House Entry Ticket: $20
- Montego Bay City highlight And Souvenir Shopping Group Tour: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- The Ultimate Montego Bay Night Life Experience: $25
- Jetcar Experience Montego Bay: $26
- Luminous Lagoon Tour Glistening Waters Experience Falmouth: $26
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port Transportation Service : $26
- Jet ski tour from montegobay: $28
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
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
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
- Zona Colonial Hictorical Tour with a local artist: $30
- Colonial Experience Tour: $35
- Street Tour: $35
- Three Eyes National Park Guided Tour: $35
- Bachata Social Dancing Tour: $37
- City Boat Ride Adventure: $39
- Ciudad Colonial Neighborhood Guided Bike Tour: $45
- Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Santo Domingo $7.92
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Santo Domingo, we can see that Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay 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.