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

Should you visit Santo Domingo or Liberia?

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

Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Liberia?

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.

Liberia

Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.

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 Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Liberia 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 Liberia is $128. 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 Liberia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santo Domingo $42
    Liberia $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santo Domingo $84
    Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Liberia

Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Liberia? 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 Liberia


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 Liberia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santo Domingo $4.79
    Liberia $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $17
  • Taxi & Transfer From And To Punta Cana International Airport: $20
  • Private Transfer from/to SDQ or JBQ Airports: $23
  • Private Transfer from SD to SDQ Airport – Travel Stress-Free!: $25
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $33
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Santo Domingo City): $35
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $37
  • From 1-Way Private Hotel Transfers: $39
  • Santo Domingo Airport: One-Way or Round Trip Transfers: $40

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Bike Rental
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:

  • Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Arrival Transfer : $6.00
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Papagayo Peninsula: $12
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Playas del Coco: $14
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Palace: $16
  • Private Transfer from Libera/Four Seasons Guanacaste Airport: $19
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport A Nekajui to Ritz Carlton: $20
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Peñas Blancas Nicaragua: $26
  • Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $35
  • Private Transfer From Playas Del Coco To Nosara Guanacaste: $39
  • Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Nuevo Arenal: $40
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nosara: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Liberia?

Prices for flights to both Liberia 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
    Liberia $36

Typical Food Prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Snacks
    $1.98
  • Lunch at The Shack (for 1)
    $4.96
  • Lunch
    $11
  • Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)
    $14
  • Ginger Ale
    $1.28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.

  • Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $250

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santo Domingo $15
    Liberia $25
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: $36
  • City Boat Ride Adventure: $39
  • Three Eyes Park and Colon Lighthouse Experience: $45
  • Silent Disco Adventure in the Colonial Zone: $45

Tours and Activities in Liberia

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

  • La Leona Waterfall Hike (Group Tour): $40
  • La Leona Waterfall Hiking Tour: $40
  • Guanacaste: Educational Nature in the Circular Economy Tour: $40
  • 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
  • Guided City Walking Tour: $40
  • Rincon de la Vieja: La Leona Waterfall Private Tour: $43
  • Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
  • La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
  • Tio Leo Coffee Tour: $47
  • Rincón de la Vieja: Extreme Canopy Tour: $51
  • Zip-line Adventure: $53
  • Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santo Domingo $7.88
    Liberia $13


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


Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Liberia?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Liberia, 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.