A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Punta Cana vs. San Pedro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Punta Cana or San Pedro?

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

Should I visit Punta Cana or San Pedro? 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 Pedro?

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 Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

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


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro 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 San Pedro is $164. 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 Pedro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Punta Cana $101
    San Pedro $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Punta Cana $202
    San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Punta Cana and San Pedro

Looking for a hotel in Punta Cana or San Pedro? 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 San Pedro


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
    San Pedro $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:

  • Affordable Private SUBURBAN Transfer from Punta Cana Airport: $6.50
  • Budget Punta Cana Airport Transfers-Cap Cana, Bavaro, Uvero Alto: $6.50
  • Private Transfers Punta Cana Airport and Cap Cana Hotels: $8.00
  • Private Transfers Punta Cana Airport & Hotels in Uvero Alto: $8.00
  • PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTACANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $8.00
  • Private Transfers from Punta Cana Airport to Cap Cana: $8.00
  • PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA CANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $9.00
  • PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA CANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $10
  • PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA CANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $10
  • PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA CANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $11
  • Private Punta Cana Airport Transfers Hotels in Dominican Republic: $13
  • PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA CANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $13

Is it cheaper to fly into Punta Cana or San Pedro?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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
    San Pedro $69

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
  • Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $139
  • Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $145
  • Dinner in the Sky Experience in Punta Cana: $149
  • Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $230

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.

  • Overwater Fry Jacks Cooking Class at The Mayan: $39
  • Overwater Ceviche Cooking Class at The Mayan: $39
  • Fry Jacks Cooking Class at San Pedro Belize: $39
  • Ceviche Cooking Class at San Pedro Belize: $39
  • Belizean Bites Lunch Food Tour in San Pedro: $72
  • Savor Belize Dinner Food Tour in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: $90
  • Belizean Cooking Experience: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Punta Cana $32
    San Pedro $33
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:

  • Guided Shopping Tour - Rum tasting, chocolate factory, Cigar factory: $5.00
  • Tour de Compras: Chocolate, Café y Artesanías en Punta Cana.: $5.00
  • Guided Tour to Don Lucas Cigars Factory and Souvenirs Store: $5.00
  • Santo Domingo: Panoramic tour to Punta Cana with Buggy Ride: $5.00
  • Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transportation: $5.00
  • Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Pickup: $6.00
  • Guided Shopping Tour to Bella Mare Store (Cigars, Chocolate, Rum and Souvenirs): $6.00
  • Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Free Pickup: $6.00
  • Souvenir Shopping Tour in Punta Cana Pickup Included: $9.00
  • Shopping tour Punta Cana rum cigars coffee larimar chocolate souvenirs mamajuan: $10
  • Shopping Tour Local Crafts and Cultural Tastings: $15
  • Punta Cana Jungle Buggy Tour: Macao Beach Visit and Cenote Swim: $17

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:

  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $59
  • Snorkeling Tour at the Great Barrier Reef of Belize: $60
  • Belize Adventure Sailing Sunset: $65
  • Caye Caulker Marine Reserve 3 Stops Snorkeling Adventure: $65
  • Caye Caulker Marine Reserve Half Day Snorkeling Adventure: $70
  • Snorkeling Adventure at Caye Caulker Marine Reserve: $75
  • Ambergris Caye Food and History Tour: $75
  • Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling Tour: $79
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $85
  • Belizean Food Experience: $89
  • Mexico Rocks Snorkel Adventure from Ambergris Caye, San Pedro: $90
  • Caye Caulker: Half Day Snorkeling Tour with Sunset Cruise: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Punta Cana $11
    San Pedro $16


When comparing the travel costs between Punta Cana and San Pedro, 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. Even though Punta Cana is in Caribbean Islands and San Pedro is in Central 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 San Pedro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Punta Cana or San Pedro?

Punta Cana has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Punta Cana and San Pedro, 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.