Which place is cheaper, Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Santo Domingo?
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 Santo Domingo or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Santo Domingo and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.
Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Puerto Plata, nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, is a captivating destination known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. Whether you're arriving via the bustling Amber Cove cruise port or planning an extended stay, Puerto Plata offers a diverse range of experiences for every traveler.
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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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $105Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $244
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $105, while the average daily cost in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is $244. 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 Santo Domingo and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $42Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $84Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $298
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)? 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: Santo Domingo Hotel Prices and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.84Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $9.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo SDQ to Samana/Miches/Terrenas: $299
- Bahía de las Águilas w/ Private Transfer: $250
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (8 - 11): $244
- Private transfer Santo Domingo Airport to, Sosua, Cabarete,: $240
- Transfer from the Americas Inter. Airport to Punta Cana: $235
- Private transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana & Viceversa (one way): $235
- Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
- Transfer from Santo Domingo SDQ /JBQ Airport to Punta Cana Hotels: $192
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (1 - 4): $184
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata Port: $183
- VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport to Punta Cana: $172
- Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Cruise Port to Punta Cana: $169
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Also for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Plata to Punta Cana Airport PUJ Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Private Transfer from Santiago de los Caballeros Airport (STI): $22
- Cibao International Airport (STI) to Santiago hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Santiago to Cibao International Airport (STI) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer Puerto Plata Airport (POP) to Cabarete or Sosua: $35
- Private Transfer from or to Puerto Plata Airport: $44
- Puerto Plata Airport(POP)to Puerto Plata/Cofresi-Arrival Transfer: $52
- Private Puerto Plata Airport Transfer – Fast, Safe & Hassle-Free: $54
- Transfer Private Santiago Airport (STI) to Hotel in the City: $54
- Private Airport Transfer in Puerto Plata: $55
- Puerto Plata Airport(POP) to Sosua/Cabarete - Round-Trip Transfer: $58
- Puerto Plata Airport (POP) to Sosua/Cabarete - Arrival Transfer: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?
Prices for flights to both Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Santo Domingo 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 daySanto Domingo $56Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santo Domingo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santo Domingo.
- Cooking Class in Santo Domingo:6 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $42
- Food Tour & Paradise Beach Day with Drinks: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $15Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:
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Snorkeling Tour$44
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
- Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
- Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
- Dominican Food, Rum, and Beer Tasting Experience: $35
- Experience the Three Eyes Park and Columbus Lighthouse: $45
- From Catalina Island Day Tour: $85
- From Full day Historical Tour with Lunch: $75
- Full Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
- Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
- Half Day Comatillo Off-Road Experience: $135
- Hiking and Hidden River Tour in Santo Domingo: $99
- Historical Tour of Santo Domingo and 3 eyes Caves with Lunch: $94
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
For Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Snorkeling Tour$44
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Banana Boat Ride$6.29
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Paragliding$53
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1 Hr Kayak Rental$13
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Water Skiing$19
Tours and Activities in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata).
- City Tour puerto Plata jhensy: $30
- Half Day City Tour in Puerto Plata: $35
- Puerto Plata Full : Guided City Tour and Beach Relaxation: $40
- Puerto Plata Fort de San Felipe and Beach City Tour: $40
- Guided Puerto Plata City Tour – Fortress, Rum & Umbrella Street: $45
- Best Puerto Plata City Tour with beach: $47
- Puerto Plata City Tour Amber Cove Taino Bay Hotels: $50
- Adventure in 7 Damajagua Waterfalls with Lunch: $50
- Puerto Plata City Tour with Pickup: $50
- city tour: $50
- Puerto Plata Tour History & Culture and Stops for Photos: $50
- City Tour through San Felipe de Puerto Plata: History and Culture: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.97Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), we can see that Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is more expensive. And not only is Santo Domingo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santo Domingo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santo Domingo 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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) than you might in Santo Domingo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santo Domingo Expensive? and Is Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Amber Cove (Puerto Plata). When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), 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.