Which place is cheaper, Cabarete 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 Cabarete?
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 Cabarete can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Cabarete?
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.
Cabarete
Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.
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 PricesCabarete Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $99Cabarete $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $99, while the average daily cost in Cabarete is $170. 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 Cabarete in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $40Cabarete $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $80Cabarete $140
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Cabarete
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Cabarete? 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 Cabarete Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.59Cabarete $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $155
- Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $50
- Transfer in Tesla from SDQ Airport to Santo Domingo: $68
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
- Santo Domingo to La Romana transfer: $177
- Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Uvero Alto - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $37
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer to Punta Cana: $74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete
Also for Cabarete, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $45
- Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
- Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
- Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Cabarete?
Prices for flights to both Cabarete 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 $53Cabarete $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $14Cabarete $50
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:
- Discover Santo Domingo Gualey and Zona Colonial Private Tour: $115
- Santo Domingo A Historic Day Tour with Lunch from Punta Cana: $109
- 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Águilas Bay and the Bauxite Mine: $130
- Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
- Cultural VIP Private Tour From Santo Domingo: $150
- Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
- Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
- Full Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
- Full-Day Adventure Tour of Culture through Santo Domingo: $125
- Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
- Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89
Tours and Activities in Cabarete
For Cabarete, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Deep Caves in Cabarete with Guided Tour and Swimming: $60
- 27 Waterfalls Damajagua Tour from Cabarete Sosua & Puerto Plata: $79
- Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $81
- Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
- Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
- Paradise Island Cruise Snorkeling Excursion: $95
- 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
- Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
- 4 Wheel Adventure: $128
- 10-Hour Guided Tour of Samana and Bacardi Island Los Haitises: $130
- Super Buggy Tour in Puerto Plata Shore/hotel + Lunch: $161
- Scuba Diving tour in puerto plata Hotel/Cruise: $189
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.54Cabarete $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Cabarete, we can see that Cabarete 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 Cabarete would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabarete 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 Cabarete Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Cabarete?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 540 times larger than the population of Cabarete. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Cabarete, 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.