A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santo Domingo vs. Fort-de-France for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santo Domingo or Fort-de-France?

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 Fort-de-France can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Fort-de-France?

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.

Fort-de-France

As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.

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


Which place is cheaper, Fort-de-France 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 $99, while the average daily cost in Fort-de-France is $228. 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 Fort-de-France in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santo Domingo $40
    Fort-de-France $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santo Domingo $80
    Fort-de-France $184
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Fort-de-France

Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Fort-de-France? 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 Fort-de-France


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 Fort-de-France Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santo Domingo $4.59
    Fort-de-France $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • Private transfer From Las Americas Airport (SDQ) To Samana: $300
  • Private round trip transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana: $260
  • Private transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana & Viceversa (one way): $235
  • Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
  • Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto: $197
  • Santo Domingo to La Romana transfer: $177
  • Private Transfer From Santo Domingo City to Resort Casa de Campo: $175
  • Private Transfer from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata Cruise Port: $175
  • Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $160
  • Private Transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $155
  • VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $155
  • Private transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France

Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
  • Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Arrival Transfer: $69
  • Transfer from Fort de France Port to Martinique Airport (FDF): $77
  • Private Transfer Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France Port: $77
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France Port to Fort de France: $77
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Fort-de-France?

Prices for flights to both Fort-de-France 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 $53
    Fort-de-France $117

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France

For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santo Domingo $14
    Fort-de-France $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

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


  • 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 Fort-de-France

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.

  • Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
  • Small train tour of a banana farm in Martinique: $22
  • Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
  • Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
  • Karaib Tour: $66
  • Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $71
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
  • Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Scenic Tropical Rainforest & Island Tour: $82
  • Martinique: Coral and Turtle Coves Cruise: $84
  • Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique: $108

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santo Domingo $7.54
    Fort-de-France $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:

  • Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
  • North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Fort-de-France, we can see that Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Fort-de-France?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Fort-de-France. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Fort-de-France, 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.

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