Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo?
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 Viejo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Puerto Viejo?
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 Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.
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 in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesPuerto Viejo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $105Puerto Viejo $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $105, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $189. 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 Viejo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $42Puerto Viejo $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $84Puerto Viejo $158
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Puerto Viejo
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Puerto Viejo? 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 Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.84Puerto Viejo $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- VIP Suburban Private Transfer from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana: $170
- VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Puerto Viejo?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo 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 $56Puerto Viejo $65
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 $15Puerto Viejo $87
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 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
- Half Day Santo Domingo Tour: Three Eyes Park to Colon Lighthouse: $80
Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo
For Puerto Viejo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest: $50
- Chocolate Experience by Bribri Indigenous Culture: $65
- Gandoca-Manzanillo Hike Tour with Dolphin Watching: $125
- Canyoning Adventure in the Costa Rican Jungle: $257
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.97Puerto Viejo $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo 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 Viejo 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 Viejo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Viejo 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 Viejo Expensive?.
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.