Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Negril or Santo Domingo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Negril and Santo Domingo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Negril or Santo Domingo?
Negril
Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!
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.
-
Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $152Santo Domingo $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $152, 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 Negril and Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $103Santo Domingo $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $206Santo Domingo $84
Compare Hotels in Negril and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Negril 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: Negril Hotel Prices and Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.48Santo Domingo $4.85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
-
Taxi From Airport$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Riu Negril Private Airport Transfers: $13
- Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
- MBJ Airport Transfers to/from Montego Bay Hotels/Villas/Airbnb: $20
- Grand Palladium hotel transfer from Montego Bay airport: $29
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Private Transfer To Grand Palladium: $35
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $35
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $37
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- MBJ Airport Private Transfers to any Negril Hotels: $39
- MBJ Private Airport transfer to or from Negril: $42
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Private Transfer To Hedonism Negril: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo SDQ to Samana/Miches/Terrenas: $299
- Bahía de las Águilas w/ Private Transfer: $250
- Private transfer From Las Americas Airport (SDQ) To Samana: $250
- Private transfer Santo Domingo Airport to, Sosua, Cabarete,: $240
- Transfer from the Americas Inter. Airport to Punta Cana: $235
- Private transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana & Viceversa (one way): $235
- Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $225
- Santo Domingo Private Transfer to Samaná and Las Terrenas: $218
- Santo Domingo Airport Transfer to your Hotel in Punta Cana: $200
- Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
- Transfer from Santo Domingo SDQ /JBQ Airport to Punta Cana Hotels: $192
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (1 - 4): $184
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Negril 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 dayNegril $38Santo Domingo $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner in the Sky Jamaica Round Trip Taxi & Guide only: $42
- Cultural Food Tour & Seven Mile Beach At Negril’s Margaritaville: $150
- Local food tour and local fields: $164
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Santo Domingo $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
2 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- Blue Hole Mineral Spring and Rastafari Herb Farm Experience: $40
- Catamaran, ATV and Horse Back Riding/Swim Day Tour: $51
- Negril 7 mile beach and Ricks Cafe Tour: $55
- Jamwest Push Kart Adventure Experience Entry Ticket in Negril: $60
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
- Rick's Cafe Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise: $65
- Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
- Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Tour: $75
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85
- Negril Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Snorkeling, Drinks & DJ: $89
- NEGRIL CATAMARAN CRUISE Sunset Ricks Cafe ALL HOTELS: $89
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:
-
Snorkeling Tour$44
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
- Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
- Cacao trail and making of chocolate tour from Santo Domingo: $190
- Dominican Food, Rum, and Beer Tasting Experience: $35
- Experience the Three Eyes Park and Columbus Lighthouse: $45
- From Catalina Island Day Tour: $85
- From Full day Historical Tour with Lunch: $75
- Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
- Guided Full-Day Santo Domingo Tour with pickup from Punta Cana: $99
- Half Day Comatillo Off-Road Experience: $135
- Hiking and Hidden River Tour in Santo Domingo: $110
- Hiking the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Santo Domingo: $150
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.85Santo Domingo $7.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Negril
Also in Negril, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Negril One Love Bus Bar Crawl: $26
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Santo Domingo, we can see that Negril 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 Negril would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Negril 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 Negril Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 730 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril 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.