Which place is cheaper, Islamorada 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 Islamorada?
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 Islamorada can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Islamorada?
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.
Islamorada
From its thriving coral reefs to its miraculous botanical gardens, you will find adventure on both land and sea at Islamorada, Florida. Islamorada, or "Village of Islands," is located in Monroe County and holds a population of no more than 6,119. As Islamorada's village is occupied within a cluster of nearby islands, Islamorada is located on Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. The village is relatively small, expanding to about 7.2 square miles total. Approximately an hour and a half-drive from Miami and a two hour-drive from Key West, Islamorada works swimmingly for those who seek to acquaint themselves with the tropical pleasures of the Keys.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesIslamorada Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $106Islamorada $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $106, while the average daily cost in Islamorada is $179. 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 Islamorada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $43Islamorada $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $86Islamorada $158
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Islamorada
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Islamorada? 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 Islamorada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.88Islamorada $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Bahía de las Águilas w/ Private Transfer: $250
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (8 - 11): $244
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Santo Domingo International Airport (8 - 11): $244
- Private transfer Santo Domingo Airport to, Sosua, Cabarete,: $240
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo SDQ to Samana/Miches/Terrenas: $239
- Transfer from the Americas Inter. Airport to Punta Cana: $235
- Private transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana & Viceversa (one way): $235
- Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (1 - 4): $184
- Santo Domingo to La Romana transfer: $177
- VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $172
- Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Cruise Port to Punta Cana: $171
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Islamorada?
Prices for flights to both Islamorada 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 $57Islamorada $81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santo Domingo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santo Domingo.
- Cooking Class in Santo Domingo:6 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $42
- Food Tour & Paradise Beach Day with Drinks: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $15Islamorada $19
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$44
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
- Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
- Cultural VIP Private Tour From Santo Domingo: $150
- Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
- Dominican Food, Rum, and Beer Tasting Experience: $35
- Experience the Three Eyes Park and Columbus Lighthouse: $45
- From Catalina Island Day Tour: $85
- From Full day Historical Tour with Lunch: $75
- Full Day ATV and Buggies Tour Through Macao: $150
- Full Day Private Guided Tour in Lagoon Dudu from Santo Domingo: $185
- Full Day Private Tour Bahía de las Aguilas and Hoyo Pelempito: $140
- Full Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
Tours and Activities in Islamorada
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamorada.
- Islamorada Sunset Cruise with Champagne Toast and Snacks: $71
- Islamorada Sandbar Escape Sightseeing Paddleboarding and Swimming: $95
- Snorkel and Sandbar Combo Adventure in Islamorada: $139
- 1.5 Hour (20 miles) Waverunner Tour. See Mangrove Tunnels, 20 Islands & SandBar: $259
- Private Snorkel & Sandbar Adventure: $599
- Private Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Sandbar: $950
- 2 Hour Private Eco-Tour: $950
- From Miami: Key Largo & Islamorada Private Open-Top Bus Tour: $1,515
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $8.03Islamorada $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Islamorada, we can see that Islamorada is more expensive. And not only is Santo Domingo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands and Islamorada is in North 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 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 Islamorada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Islamorada 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 Islamorada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Islamorada?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Islamorada. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Islamorada, 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.