Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santo Domingo or Roatan?
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 Roatan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
-
Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $105Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $105, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $42Roatan $10
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $84Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Roatan? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.84Roatan $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Santo Domingo City): $12
- Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ): $15
- Santo Domingo Airport: One-Way or Round Trip Transfers: $20
- Experience at the Museo del Ron Dominicano, Private Transfer.: $28
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $29
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ): $29
- Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $30
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $36
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $36
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $36
- Las Galeras / Samana to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Private Transfer: $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
-
Water Taxi$3.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
- Catch a ride to West End & back to Port, Hotel or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $60
- Roatan Island hotels to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
- Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
- Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $112
- Roatan Zipline, Monkey, Macaws & Sloths Eco Park, Snorkeling, Transfer: $128
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
- Discover Scuba Diving in Roatan at Upachaya with Private Transfer: $150
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $152
- Scuba Dive in the West End of Roatan with Private Transfer: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 daySanto Domingo $56Roatan $15
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 Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $245
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $15Roatan $25
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:
- 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
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Custom Private Roatan Shuttle Tour: Explore at Your Own Pace: $30
- Roatan VIP island tour in Honduras: $36
- Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
- Roatan Private and Public Action Snorkel Tours and Charters: $39
- Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
- Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
- Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
- Customizable Island Tour While on Roatan: $45
- Roatan private customizable Tour chocolate Rum History: $45
- Roatan Private Tour , Culture and Views Experience: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.97Roatan $6.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Roatan, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands and Roatan 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Santo Domingo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santo Domingo than you might in Roatan.
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 Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Roatan?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Roatan, 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.