Which place is cheaper, Cabarete or Punta Cana?
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 Punta Cana or Cabarete?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Cana or Cabarete? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Punta Cana or Cabarete?
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.
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.
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Punta Cana Prices
Dominican Republic PricesCabarete Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Cana $180Cabarete $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $180, while the average daily cost in Cabarete is $180. 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 Punta Cana and Cabarete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Cana $100Cabarete $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Cana $200Cabarete $148
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and Cabarete
Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana 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.
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: Punta Cana Hotel Prices and Cabarete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Cana $6.75Cabarete $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:
- private transfer standard and premium punta cana airport to puerto plata: $265
- YC VIP Transfer: $120
- Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana - Airport Transfer - Round Trip: $137
- Vip Private Transfer to Punta Cana from Santo Domingo: $153
- VIP Transfers in Luxury SUVs - Punta Cana: $32
- VIP Transfers PUJ Airport to Bavaro and Punta Cana Hotels: $72
- VIP Transfer from Punta Cana Airport to Punta Cana / Bavaro Hotel: $67
- VIP Transfer from Airport to Cap Cana Hotels: $149
- VIP Transfer Punta Cana Airport to Punta Cana & Bavaro Hotels (Not Uvero Alto): $70
- VIP SUV Airport Transfer From or To Uvero Alto: $50
- VIP Private Transfers from Punta Cana Airport to Uvero Alto: $54
- VIP Private Transfers from Punta Cana Airport to Bayahibe: $97
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: $40
- 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: $45
- Sosua/Cabarete to Puerto Plata Airport (POP) - Departure Transfer: $59
- 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 Punta Cana or Cabarete?
Prices for flights to both Cabarete and Punta Cana 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 dayPunta Cana $68Cabarete $72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.
- Half Day Punta Cana Food Tour Including Transportation: $35
- Punta Cana Nightlife and Street Food Tour with Hotel Pickup: $95
- Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $145
- Dinner in the Sky Experience in Punta Cana: $149
- Punta Cana Jungle Night Tour with Cave Swim and Dinner: $160
- Night Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim & Dinner Combo: $190
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $237
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $294
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Cana $31Cabarete $53
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:
- “Saona Island Tour by Catamaran & Speedboat – Punta Cana”: $99
- 2-Hour Horseback Riding Tour at Sunset from Punta Cana: $72
- 3 ADVENTURES: Sailing Catamaran Cruise - Hooka Diving - Snorkeling: $105
- 3 Hours Half Day Tour Buggy Macao Beach cenote Hotel Pickup: $34
- 3 Hours Shared Buggy Tour in Punta Cana: $55
- 3-Day Ultimate Dominican Adventure: Nature, Culture & History: $190
- 3-Hour Extreme Buggy Tour of Punta Cana: $45
- 4 Hour ATV and Horseback Adventure in Punta Cana: $125
- 4 Hours Tour in Round Mountain and Macao Beach From Uvero Alto: $150
- 4-Hour ATV and Horseback Adventure in Cap Cana: $150
- 4-Hour Glass Bottom Boat Experience in Punta Cana: $90
- 4X4 ATV adventure in Punta Cana to the cenote and Macao beach: $28
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
- Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
- Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
- Puerto Plata Half-Day Yásica River Tubing Adventure: $95
- Excursions 3 in 1 Monkey Home Waterfalls And City Tours: $104
- 27 Waterfalls: Zip 'n Splash Adventure with Horse Ride: $125
- 4 Wheel Adventure: $127
- Private: Cabarete ATV Countryside & Beach Adventure: $127
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Cana $11Cabarete $17
When comparing the travel costs between Punta Cana and Cabarete, we can see that Punta Cana is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta Cana Expensive? and Is Cabarete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or Cabarete?
Punta Cana has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana 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.
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.