Which place is cheaper, Saint John's 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 Saint John's?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Cana or Saint John's? 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 Saint John's?
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.
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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 PricesSaint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Cana $181Saint John's $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $181, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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 Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Cana $101Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Cana $202Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana or Saint John's? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta Cana $6.80Saint John's $17
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
- “Private Transfer: Punta Cana Airport to Dreams Macao Beach”: $26
- “Round-Trip Private Transfer: Punta Cana Airport ↔ Bávaro Hotels”: $25
- 1 Hour Beach Photoshoot in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transfer: $240
- Affordable Private SUBURBAN Transfer from Punta Cana Airport: $6.50
- Airport Transfer from/to Uvero Alto to Punta Cana: $30
- 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 Transportation Transfer Private to/from Uvero Alto Hotels: $35
- Arrive in Punta Cana Like a Star – VIP Escalade Luxury Transfer: $47
- Bayahibe - Coco Bongo Punta Cana Entry ticket Open Bar & transfer: $140
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- 3-Hours Eye-Opening Stingray City Antigua - Transfer R/T included: $132
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer: $109
- Antigua Airport (ANU) to Antigua - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
- Antigua&Barbuda to Antigua&Barbuda Airport(ANU) Private Transfer: $46
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Crown and Key Private Transfers: $100
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer - 8:15am): $89
- Discover the Best of Antigua Sightseeing Tour - Eagle Transfers: $125
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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 $68Saint John's $117
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
- Origen Tasting Adventure Dinner or Lunch of 8 Courses Dom Cuisine: $85
- 3hr Punta Cana Cooking Class: Mofonguitos & Morir Soñando: $85
- 'Chillo al Coco' Cooking Class & Taino Concept store: $98
- Priv Dominican Cooking Class with Meal & Drinks: $98
- Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $108
- 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
- Punta Cana Night Buggy Tour, Cenote Swim, Dinner and show: $190
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Local Antigua Rum and Food Tour: $130
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Cana $32Saint John's $103
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:
- Souvenir Shopping Tour with Traditional Tastings: $2.00
- Shopping Tour In Don Lucas Cigar Factory: $5.00
- Guided Tour to Don Lucas Cigars Factory and Souvenirs Store: $5.00
- Tour de Compras: Chocolate, Café y Artesanías en Punta Cana.: $5.00
- Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transportation: $5.00
- Saona Island Classic Tour with Lunch & Drinks: $5.00
- Guided Shopping Tour - Rum tasting, chocolate factory, Cigar factory: $5.00
- Santo Domingo: Panoramic tour to Punta Cana with Buggy Ride: $5.00
- Guided Shopping Tour to Bella Mare Store (Cigars, Chocolate, Rum and Souvenirs): $6.00
- Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Free Pickup: $6.00
- Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Pickup: $6.00
- Souvenir Shopping Tour in Punta Cana Pickup Included: $9.00
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $65
- Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $65
- North Coast Tour: $65
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience: $66
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $73
- Antigua Harbour Bus Tour Experience: $75
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
- English Harbour with CulinaryATE Tours: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Historic Museum with CulinaryATE Tours: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Cana $11Saint John's $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta Cana and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Punta Cana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Punta Cana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Cana 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Punta Cana.
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 Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or Saint John's?
Punta Cana has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana and Saint John's, 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.