A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santo Domingo vs. Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santo Domingo or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

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.

Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Situated in the Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiminez has grown from a logging and gold mining town in the 1960s to become the largest town on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. Today, it serves as a main gateway to Corcovado National Park, a last stopping point before visitors enter the park. Puerto Jiminez also has a lively night life, a beach, and easy access to a number of outdoors activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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.

  • Santo Domingo Prices
    Dominican Republic Prices
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Prices
    Costa Rica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santo Domingo $99
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $140

The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $99, while the average daily cost in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) is $140. 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santo Domingo $40
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santo Domingo $80
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $98
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)? 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)


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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santo Domingo $4.59
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer to Boca Chica: $11
  • Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $11
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Santo Domingo City): $12
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $22
  • Private Transfer from Int Las Americas Airport (SDQ): $27
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
  • 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
  • Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Private Transfer: $39
  • Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $50
  • Private Transfer Santo Domingo Port to Santo Domingo Airport SDQ: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 $53
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $60

Typical Food Prices in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some typical examples of dining costs in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:


  • Dinner at Finca Exotica
    $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santo Domingo $14
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) $119
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:


  • Snorkeling Tour
    $42

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

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

  • Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
  • Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
  • Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $45
  • Panoramic City Tour: $46
  • Santo Domingo Small Group Walking Tour: Beer and Specialty Coffee: $59
  • Iconic Highlights and historical Tour in Santo Domingo: $75
  • Santo Domingo City Tour with Pickup Included From Santo Domingo: $75
  • Half Day Santo Domingo Tour: Three Eyes Park to Colon Lighthouse: $80
  • Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
  • Santo Domingo Walking Tour for the Whole Family : $88
  • Santo Domingo Cultural Tour: $89
  • Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89

Tours and Activities in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) are as follows:

  • Gold Panning Private Adventure in Puerto Jimenez: $35
  • Puerto Jimenez Birdwatching Tour Osa Peninsula Golfo Dulce: $60
  • Kayak experience on Playa Blanca in Puerto Jiménez: $65
  • Bio-Luminescence and Sunset Kayak Tour: $67
  • Corcovado La Leona Day Tour from Puerto Jimenez - All Inclusive: $120
  • Isla del Caño snorkel tour from Drake Bay (Cano island) : $125
  • Sirena Day Tour - Corcovado NP All Inclusive from Puerto Jimenez: $145
  • One Day Tour To Caño Island From Drake Bay: $145
  • Corcovado National Park - Day Tour from Drake Bay: $145
  • 4 Hour Private Guided Tour in Osa Jungle : $163
  • Corcovado National Park - Private Siren Day Tour: $190
  • Scuba Diving Tour at Cano Island (Isla del Caño) from Drake Bay: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santo Domingo $7.54
    Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), we can see that Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) 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 Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) Expensive?.


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