Which place is cheaper, Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana?
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 Punta Cana can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?
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.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana, located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. This Caribbean paradise offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all types of travelers, whether you're on a tight budget, seeking thrilling activities, exploring local cuisine, or figuring out the best ways to get around.
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 PricesPunta Cana Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $106Punta Cana $181
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $106, while the average daily cost in Punta Cana is $181. 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 Punta Cana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $43Punta Cana $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $86Punta Cana $202
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Punta Cana? 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 Punta Cana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.87Punta Cana $6.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- “Private Airport Transfer from Santo Domingo (SDQ)”: $52
- 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: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (5 - 7): $184
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Santo Domingo International Airport (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
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Punta Cana Hotels: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:
- Budget Punta Cana Airport Transfers-Cap Cana, Bavaro, Uvero Alto: $6.50
- Private Transfers Punta Cana Airport and Cap Cana Hotels: $8.00
- Private Transfers Punta Cana Airport & Hotels in Uvero Alto: $8.00
- Private Punta Cana Airport Transfers & Hotels: $8.00
- Shared Transfer from Punta Cana: $9.35
- Private Transfer to Punta Cana Airport (PUJ): $9.80
- Private Transfer from Punta Cana Airport (PUJ): $9.80
- PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA CANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $10
- PRiVATE TRANSFERS FROM PUNTA CANA AIRPORT TO HOTELS -FAST SERVICE: $11
- Reliable Private Transfer in Punta Cana: $12
- Private Transfer from Punta Cana Airport to Hotels: $13
- Punta Cana Private Airport Transfers: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?
Prices for flights to both Punta Cana 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 $57Punta Cana $68
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $139
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride and Taino Party with Dinner: $139
- Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $145
- Dinner in the Sky Experience in Punta Cana: $149
- Night Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim & Dinner Combo: $190
- Punta Cana Buggy Ride, Dinner and Taino Party: $294
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $15Punta Cana $32
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
- 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
- Colonial Experience Tour: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Punta Cana
Here are a few typical costs in Punta Cana for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Dune Buggy Adventure$54
Tours and Activities in Punta Cana
Here are a few actual costs in Punta Cana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Shopping Tour - Rum tasting, chocolate factory, Cigar factory: $0.50
- Santo Domingo: Panoramic tour to Punta Cana with Buggy Ride: $5.00
- Guided Souvenir Shopping Tour in Punta Cana: $5.00
- Guided Tour to Don Lucas Cigars Factory and Souvenirs Store: $5.00
- Guided Shopping Tour to Bella Mare Store (Cigars, Chocolate, Rum and Souvenirs): $6.00
- Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Free Pickup: $6.00
- Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Pickup: $6.00
- Souvenir Shopping Tour in Punta Cana. Transportation Included: $10
- Cigar Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Transportation Included: $10
- Cigar Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Transportation Included: $10
- Souvenir Shopping Tour in Punta Cana Transportation Included: $10
- Shopping tour Punta Cana rum cigars coffee larimar chocolate souvenirs mamajuan: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $8.02Punta Cana $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, we can see that Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Punta Cana. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, 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.