A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Punta Cana vs. Port-au-Prince for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Punta Cana or Port-au-Prince?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Punta Cana or Port-au-Prince? 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 Port-au-Prince?

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.

Port-au-Prince

Port-au-Prince is the capital city and most-populous city of Haiti. The metropolitan area is divided into several districts with access to a number of landmarks and museums, as well as a lively cultural scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Port-au-Prince 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $181, while the average daily cost in Port-au-Prince is $31. 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 Port-au-Prince in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Punta Cana $101
    Port-au-Prince $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Punta Cana $202
    Port-au-Prince $44
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and Port-au-Prince

Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana or Port-au-Prince? 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.

Hotels in Punta Cana


Hotels in Port-au-Prince


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Punta Cana $6.80
    Port-au-Prince $4.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:

  • “Private Airport Transfer to La Romana & Bayahibe from Punta Cana: $47
  • “Round-Trip Private Transfer: Punta Cana Airport ↔ Bávaro Hotels”: $25
  • “Round-Trip Private Transfer: Punta Cana Airport ↔ Uvero Alto ”: $27
  • 1 Hour Beach Photoshoot in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transfer: $240
  • Affordable Private SUBURBAN Transfer from Punta Cana Airport: $6.50
  • Airport Transfer to Hotels in Punta Cana: $79
  • Airport Transfers Punta Cana - Punta Cana Airport Transfers: $55
  • Airport Transfers to Punta Cana / Bavaro and Uvero Alto Hotels: $28
  • Airport Transfers, Prívate Exclusive Excursions.: $70
  • Airport Transportation Transfer Private to/from Uvero Alto Hotels: $35
  • Arrive in Punta Cana Like a Star – VIP Escalade Luxury Transfer: $47
  • Bavaro|Veron: PUJ Airport to Bavaro|Veron Private Transfer: $7.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or Port-au-Prince?

Prices for flights to both Port-au-Prince 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Punta Cana $68
    Port-au-Prince $6.45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.

  • 3hr Punta Cana Cooking Class: Mofonguitos & Morir Soñando: $85
  • 'Chillo al Coco' Cooking Class & Taino Concept store: $98
  • "PRIVATE"- Wild Dominican Sancocho Cooking Adventure!: $99
  • Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $108
  • Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $118
  • Unique Night Tour, Cenote Swim, & Dinner: $122
  • Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $139
  • Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $145
  • Private: Nighttime Buggy Ride with Dinner & Open: $145
  • Dinner in the Sky Experience in Punta Cana: $149
  • Night Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim & Dinner Combo: $190
  • Night Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim & Dinner Combo: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Punta Cana $32
    Port-au-Prince $0.76
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:


  • 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:

  • Souvenir Shopping Tour with Traditional Tastings: $2.00
  • Santo Domingo: Panoramic tour to Punta Cana with Buggy Ride: $5.00
  • Saona Island Classic Tour with Lunch & Drinks: $5.00
  • Shopping Tour In Don Lucas Cigar Factory: $5.00
  • Tour de Compras: Chocolate, Café y Artesanías en Punta Cana.: $5.00
  • Guided Shopping Tour - Rum tasting, chocolate factory, Cigar factory: $5.00
  • Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transportation: $5.00
  • Shopping Tour In Don Lucas Cigar Factory, Rum tasting, Cocoa factory, Souvenirs: $5.00
  • Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Free Pickup: $6.00
  • Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Pickup: $6.00
  • Guided Shopping Tour to Bella Mare Store (Cigars, Chocolate, Rum and Souvenirs): $6.00
  • Cigar Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Transportation Included: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Punta Cana $11
    Port-au-Prince $0.20

Sample the Local Flavors in Punta Cana

Also in Punta Cana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl in Punta Cana: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta Cana and Port-au-Prince, we can see that Punta Cana is more expensive. And not only is Port-au-Prince much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Port-au-Prince would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port-au-Prince 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 Punta Cana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Cana than you might in Port-au-Prince.

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 Port-au-Prince Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or Port-au-Prince?

Port-au-Prince has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Punta Cana. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana and Port-au-Prince, 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.

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