Which place is cheaper, San Fernando 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 San Fernando?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Punta Cana or San Fernando? 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 San Fernando?
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.
San Fernando
As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.
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 PricesSan Fernando Prices
Trinidad and Tobago Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta Cana $181San Fernando $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta Cana is $181, while the average daily cost in San Fernando is $188. 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 San Fernando in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta Cana $101San Fernando $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta Cana $202San Fernando $146
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and San Fernando
Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana or San Fernando? 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 $6.80San Fernando $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:
- Coco Bongo Nightclub VIP Entry & Transfers: $400
- Private Transfer from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo: $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: $253
- Private Round Trip Punta Cana Airport to Uvero Alto Villa/Hotel Transfer: $250
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Las Terrenas Arrival Private Transfer: $249
- 1 Hour Beach Photoshoot in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transfer: $240
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Santo Domingo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $239
- Private VIP SUV Transfer – PUJ Airport to/from Miches Hotels: $235
- Tesla Transfer from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo: $235
- La Romana Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Punta Cana city: $225
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or San Fernando?
Prices for flights to both San Fernando 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 $68San Fernando $82
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta Cana $32San Fernando $28
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 Expedition: 4 Beaches Tour from Punta Cana": $100
- 3 ADVENTURES: Sailing Catamaran Cruise - Hooka Diving - Snorkeling: $105
- 3 Hours Half Day Tour Buggy Macao Beach cenote Hotel Pickup: $34
- 3 Hours Panoramic Tour in Punta Cana with Artisan Market: $35
- 3-Hour ATV Adventure from Punta Cana: $50
- 3-Hour Panoramic Tour of Punta Cana with Artisan Market: $25
- 3-Hour Punta Cana Party Boat & Catamaran Cruise: $48
- 3-in-1 Activity-Buggy-Horse-Zipline-City Tours-Macao Beach: $85
- 4 Hour Punta Cana Fishing Tour: $97
- 4 Wheel Adventure Beach and River Ride with Lunch: $135
- 4 hour deep sea fishing experience from punta cana: $100
- 4-Hour ATV and Horseback Adventure in Uvero Alto: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta Cana $11San Fernando $22
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 comparing the travel costs between Punta Cana and San Fernando, we can see that San Fernando 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 San Fernando Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or San Fernando?
Punta Cana has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana and San Fernando, 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.