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

Should you visit Santo Domingo or New York City?

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 New York City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or New York City?

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.

New York City

The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, New York City 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 $105, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 New York City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santo Domingo $42
    New York City $175
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santo Domingo $84
    New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and New York City

Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or New York City? 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 New York City


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 New York City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santo Domingo $4.84
    New York City $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport to Punta Cana: $172
  • Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $30
  • Transfer in Tesla from SDQ Airport to Santo Domingo: $68
  • Transfer from the Americas Inter. Airport to Punta Cana: $235
  • Transfer from Santo Domingo SDQ /JBQ Airport to Punta Cana Hotels: $192
  • Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Samana Cruise Port: $120
  • Transfer from Airport to Hotel throughout Santo Domingo Dom Rep: $45
  • Transfer SDQ and JBQ Airport to Santo Domingo City: $40
  • Transfer Private Airport SDQ to your Hotel in Santo Domingo: $65
  • Experience at the Museo del Ron Dominicano, Private Transfer.: $28
  • Bahía de las Águilas w/ Private Transfer: $250
  • Santo Domingo transfer to downtown (one-way private): $106

Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City

Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:


  • Subway
    $4.50
  • Taxi Ride
    $8.00
  • Subway
    $2.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City

Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Manhattan to LGA: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $25
  • JFK to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $28
  • Manhattan to JFK: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $28
  • Shared transfer Newark Airport to Manhattan: $30
  • Private Transfer from Manhattan to NYC Airports (JFK/EWR/LGA): $37
  • Private Transfer from Cape Cruise Port to Newark Airport (EWR): $43
  • Private Transfer from New York Airport (LGA) to Manhattan Port: $43
  • Private Transfer from Manhattan Port to New York Airport (LGA): $43
  • Private Transfer from Newark Airport (EWR) to Cape Liberty Port: $43
  • Private Transfer from New York to Cape Liberty Cruise Port: $43
  • Cape Cruise Port to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Transfer: $43
  • J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Cape Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or New York City?

Prices for flights to both New York City 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
    New York City $87

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

Typical Food Prices in New York City

For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Gelato
    $7.50
  • Snacks for Two at Yankees Game
    $34
  • Coffee
    $6.53
  • Smoothie
    $6.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City

For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Lower East Side Food Tour: $34
  • The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
  • The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $39
  • Bensonhurst Food Tour: $45
  • Lower Manhattan's Ultimate Pizza Crawl experience (5 tastings): $46
  • Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
  • Lower East Side Food Tour: Iconic Eats & NYC History Walking Tour: $60
  • Lower East Side Skip-the-Line Food Tour with Museum Entry: $64
  • Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour: Local Eats & Iconic Views: $70
  • Greenwich Village & SoHo Pizza Walk: $75
  • Sweets and Slices Greenwich Village Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Seasonal SoHo Food Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santo Domingo $15
    New York City $180
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:

  • 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
  • Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
  • 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 Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
  • Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
  • Half Day Comatillo Off-Road Experience: $135
  • Hiking and Hidden River Tour in Santo Domingo: $99
  • Historical Tour of Santo Domingo and 3 eyes Caves with Lunch: $94

Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Comedy Show Tickets
    $56
  • City Map
    $8.00
  • Broadway Musical
    $111
  • Broadway Show Program
    $10
  • Magazine
    $6.99

Tours and Activities in New York City

For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • NYC Central Park Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.50
  • Central Park Stolen Archives: NY Exploration Game and Tour: $4.94
  • Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
  • The Battery: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Bowling Green Park to Stone St: $5.00
  • A New York Date Night Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • New York: Wall Street Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • New York: Central Park Walking Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker: $5.00
  • New York Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $5.09
  • New York Ghost Tour: Self-Guided Haunted Walk: $5.82
  • NYC Superhero Academy: Self-Guided Comic Adventure: $5.93
  • NY Crime Self Guided City Tour of the Most Infamous Scandals: $5.99

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santo Domingo $7.97
    New York City $29

Sample the Local Flavors in New York City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:

  • Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
  • NYC Bar Crawl: Games, Live Music & Underground Nightlife: $25
  • NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $29
  • New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
  • Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
  • NYC FIFA Pub Crawl: Midtown/Times Square VIP Access & Prof Photos: $45
  • Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
  • Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl: $49
  • Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
  • East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
  • New York Beer and Brewery tour: $150


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


Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santo Domingo. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and New York City, 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.