Which place is cheaper, Freeport 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 Freeport?
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 Freeport can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Freeport?
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.
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas.
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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesFreeport Prices
Bahamas Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $99Freeport $290
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $99, while the average daily cost in Freeport is $290. 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 Freeport in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $40Freeport $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $80Freeport $282
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Freeport
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Freeport? 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 Freeport Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.59Freeport $59
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 Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers Grand Lucayan Resort Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Between Freeport Airport and Pelican Bay Resort : $30
- Round-trip Airport Transfers to Castaway Resorts, Freeport: $30
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $68
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $68
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $78
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $78
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $78
- Luxury SUV Transfer from Airport, cruise port, Celebration Key : $133
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer : $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Freeport?
Prices for flights to both Freeport 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 $53Freeport $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $14Freeport $40
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$299
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- Tour of Coral Vita and breach brak at Banana bay beach club: $51
- Swim with the Pigs Freeport @Creative Eco Adventures: $72
- Mamma Gal Celeb-Key Shared Tour: $75
- Mamma Gal Native Experience : $80
- Grand Bahama Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Drinks and Snacks: $89
- Rumbo Tour : $90
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience : $95
- Go Kart Adventure Caves Pirates Beaches: $109
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour: $123
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $126
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.54Freeport $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs : $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Freeport, we can see that Freeport 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport 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 Freeport Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Freeport?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Freeport, 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.