Which place is cheaper, Islamorada 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 Islamorada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Cana or Islamorada? 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 Islamorada?
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.
Islamorada
From its thriving coral reefs to its miraculous botanical gardens, you will find adventure on both land and sea at Islamorada, Florida. Islamorada, or "Village of Islands," is located in Monroe County and holds a population of no more than 6,119. As Islamorada's village is occupied within a cluster of nearby islands, Islamorada is located on Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. The village is relatively small, expanding to about 7.2 square miles total. Approximately an hour and a half-drive from Miami and a two hour-drive from Key West, Islamorada works swimmingly for those who seek to acquaint themselves with the tropical pleasures of the Keys.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Punta Cana Prices
Dominican Republic PricesIslamorada Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Cana $178Islamorada $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $178, while the average daily cost in Islamorada is $179. 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 Islamorada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Cana $99Islamorada $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Cana $198Islamorada $158
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and Islamorada
Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana or Islamorada? 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 Islamorada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Cana $6.68Islamorada $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:
- Roundtrip VIP Transfer from Punta Cana Airport to Punta Cana Hotels: $270
- La Romana port transfers (combined transfers: airport-hotel-port): $266
- private transfer standard and premium punta cana airport to puerto plata: $265
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Transfer: $255
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Santo Domingo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $241
- Punta Cana to Santo Domingo Private Transfer: $235
- La Romana Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Punta Cana city: $224
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ): Transfer to La Romana Cruise Port: $224
- VIP Transfer from Santo Domingo aiport - La Romana - Punta Cana: $220
- Transfers From Punta Cana Airport<=>To All place at Bayahibe La Romana: $200
- Private Transfer VIP Suburban in Punta Cana: $200
- Transfers from Santo Domingo Airport to/from Punta Cana: $195
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or Islamorada?
Prices for flights to both Islamorada 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 $67Islamorada $81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.
- Origen Tasting Adventure Dinner or Lunch of 8 Courses Dom Cuisine: $85
- 'Chillo al Coco' Cooking Class & Taino Concept store: $98
- "PRIVATE"- Wild Dominican Sancocho Cooking Adventure!: $99
- Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $118
- Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $130
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $139
- Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim and Dinner: $155
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $278
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Cana $31Islamorada $19
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$53
Tours and Activities in Punta Cana
Here are a few actual costs in Punta Cana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5 Tours of Jungle and Dominican Culture with Lunch : $160
- Adventure:4x4 ATV Cave and Dominican Culture At Punta Cana: $45
- Atv Moto Adventure: $40
- Buggy & ATV -puntacana best Adventures : $70
- Explore Punta Cana Buggy or ATV Adventure in Macao: $59
- Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo with Lunch.: $70
- Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour: $89
- Horseback Ride Punta Cana an Unique Experience: $90
- Jet Ski Tour Punta Cana : $260
- Private ATV Tour from Punta Cana : $250
- Private Jet Ski Adventure in Bavaro Punta Cana: $200
- Safari Tour in Punta Cana todo el dia una Aventura inolvidable: $110
Tours and Activities in Islamorada
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamorada.
- Islamorada Florida Sunset Cruise Tour: $83
- Islamorada Florida Keys Sunset Sightseeing Cruise Music : $86
- Sunset Cruise in Islamorada : $90
- Snorkel adventure & Sandbar Trip : $150
- 1.5 Hour (20 miles) Waverunner Tour. See Mangrove Tunnels, 20 Islands & SandBar: $259
- 4 Hour – Snorkel & Sandbar Adventure: $599
- Private Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Sandbar: $950
- 2 Hour Private Eco-Tour: $950
- From Miami: Key Largo & Islamorada Private Open-Top Bus Tour: $1,515
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Cana $11Islamorada $15
When comparing the travel costs between Punta Cana and Islamorada, we can see that Islamorada 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. Even though Punta Cana is in Caribbean Islands and Islamorada is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Islamorada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or Islamorada?
Punta Cana has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Islamorada. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana and Islamorada, 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.