Which place is cheaper, Oranjestad 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 Oranjestad?
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 Oranjestad can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Oranjestad?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.
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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesOranjestad Prices
Aruba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $105Oranjestad $337
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $105, while the average daily cost in Oranjestad is $337. 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 Oranjestad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $42Oranjestad $188
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $84Oranjestad $376
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Oranjestad
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Oranjestad? 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 Oranjestad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.84Oranjestad $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- “Private Airport Transfer from Santo Domingo (SDQ)”: $52
- Cibao International Airport (STI) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Dominican Republic: Premium Private Transfer to Airports (SDQ PUJ STI LRM): $63
- Full-day Santo Domingo Tour with Roundtrip Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $100
- La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Las Américas Airport Private Transfer to Punta Cana: $107
- Las Galeras / Samana to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (1 - 4): $184
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (8 - 11): $244
- Private Quad Tour to El Limón Waterfall with Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer SDQ Airport → Santo Domingo | Safe & On-Time: $45
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata Port: $183
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oranjestad
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Oranjestad:
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Round-trip Bus Ticket$2.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oranjestad
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oranjestad:
- Reina Beatrix Airport: Round-Trip Shared Transfer: $22
- Private Round-Trip Transfer from Aruba Airport to Hotel: $68
- Aruba Oranjestad Queen Airport (AUA): Transfer to island: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Oranjestad?
Prices for flights to both Oranjestad 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 $56Oranjestad $109
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 $15Oranjestad $91
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:
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Tour a las Mejores Playas del Caribe: $5.00
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
- Tainos 4D Experience in Santo Domingo's Colonial City: $6.00
- Colonial Zone Tour with tasting: $20
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Tastings: $20
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Coffee: $20
- Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
- Santo Domingo Tuk Tuk Experience: $25
- Zona Colonial Hictorical Tour with a local artist: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Oranjestad
Here are a few typical costs in Oranjestad for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Full Day Bike Rental$25
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Horseback Riding Tour$70
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Golf$124
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Kayak & Snorkeling Tour$98
Tours and Activities in Oranjestad
Here are a few actual costs in Oranjestad for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aruba: Guided Countryside Exploration Tour: $45
- 3-Hour Aruba Highlights Guided Tour: $49
- Half-Day Aruba Island Tour with Top Attractions: $55
- Aruba: Beach Hopping Snorkeling Tour: $57
- Meet the Animals of Aruba Tour: $57
- Discover the Island of Aruba: 4-Hour Bus Tour & Snorkel: $59
- Full-Day Aruba History and Landmarks Tour: $69
- Aruba Downtown Historic And Cultural Walking Tour: $75
- Sunset Party Bus tour with Champagne toast on the beach.: $77
- Aruba: Natural Pool, Caves & Baby Beach Jeep Adventure: $89
- Aruba: North Coast EZ Raider Adventure: $95
- Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.97Oranjestad $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Oranjestad, we can see that Oranjestad 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 Oranjestad would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oranjestad 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 Oranjestad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Oranjestad?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Oranjestad. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Oranjestad, 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.