A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santo Domingo vs. Copan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santo Domingo or Copan?

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 Copan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Copan?

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.

Copan

If you are a lover of history, or just really want to tap into your inner Indiana Jones, a trip to Copan, Honduras is right up your alley. Located in western Honduras, the cobblestone lined streets and white adobe buildings topped with red roofs provide the beautiful backdrop to this once powerful city.

Occupied by the Maya for 2,000 years, Copan was the ruling city in the southern Mayan kingdom. Settled nicely in a fertile river valley among rolling hills, this city is absolutely fascinating and the perfect place to explore history.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.


Which place is cheaper, Copan 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $104, while the average daily cost in Copan is $99. 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 Copan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santo Domingo $42
    Copan $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santo Domingo $84
    Copan $42
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Copan

Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Copan? 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 Santo Domingo


Hotels in Copan


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santo Domingo $4.81
    Copan $74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • Bayahibe: Private Transfer From Santo Domingo Airport: $99
  • From Santo Domingo to Punta Cana VIP Luxury Airport Transfer: $660
  • From 1-Way Private Hotel Transfers: $39
  • Las Américas Airport Private Transfer to Punta Cana: $174
  • Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $17
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (1 - 4): $184
  • Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $160
  • Private Transfer From La Romana Cruise Port to Las Americas Inter. Airport: $150
  • Private Transfer From Las Americas Inter. Airport to La Romana Cruise Port: $150
  • Private Transfer From Las Americas Inter. Airport to Santo Domingo City: $50
  • Private Transfer From Santo Domingo City to Resort Casa de Campo: $175
  • Private Transfer SDQ to Excellence Punta Cana: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Copan?

Prices for flights to both Copan 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santo Domingo $56
    Copan $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santo Domingo $15
    Copan $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:


  • Snorkeling Tour
    $44

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:

  • The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
  • The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
  • Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
  • Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
  • Zona Colonial Hictorical Tour with a local artist: $30
  • Three Eyes National Park Guided Tour: $35
  • Colonial Experience Tour: $35
  • Street Tour: $35
  • Bachata Social Dancing Tour: $37
  • City Boat Ride Adventure: $39
  • Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $41
  • Three Eyes Park and Colon Lighthouse Experience: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santo Domingo $7.92
    Copan $6.80


When comparing the travel costs between Santo Domingo and Copan, we can see that Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands and Copan 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 Santo Domingo Expensive? and Is Copan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Copan?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Copan. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Copan, 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.