Which place is cheaper, Boquete 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 Boquete?
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 Boquete can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Boquete?
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.
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama, and The Best Adventure Tours to Panama.
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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesBoquete Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $99Boquete $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $99, while the average daily cost in Boquete is $67. 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 Boquete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $40Boquete $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $80Boquete $44
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Boquete
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Boquete? 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 Boquete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.59Boquete $5.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer to Boca Chica: $11
- Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $11
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Santo Domingo City): $12
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $22
- Private Transfer from Int Las Americas Airport (SDQ): $27
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $37
- Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Private Transfer: $39
- Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $50
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Port to Santo Domingo Airport SDQ: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Boquete?
Prices for flights to both Boquete 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 $53Boquete $32
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $14Boquete $17
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$42
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $45
- Panoramic City Tour: $46
- Santo Domingo Small Group Walking Tour: Beer and Specialty Coffee: $59
- Iconic Highlights and historical Tour in Santo Domingo: $75
- Santo Domingo City Tour with Pickup Included From Santo Domingo: $75
- Half Day Santo Domingo Tour: Three Eyes Park to Colon Lighthouse: $80
- Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
- Santo Domingo Walking Tour for the Whole Family : $88
- Santo Domingo Cultural Tour: $89
- Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
- Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
- Cloud Forest Wildlife Hike Tour: $36
- Cangilones Mini Canyons Tour: $38
- Hands-On Coffee Experience with Tasting: $40
- Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour : $40
- Ancestral Coffee Experience in Boquete: $45
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- Boquete E-bike Panoramic Tour: $65
- Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $65
- Guided E-Bike Panoramic Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.54Boquete $4.44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Boquete, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands and Boquete is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Santo Domingo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santo Domingo than you might in Boquete.
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 Boquete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Boquete?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 360 times larger than the population of Boquete. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Boquete, 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.