Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur?
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 San Juan del Sur can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or San Juan del Sur?
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.
San Juan del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
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 Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesSan Juan del Sur Prices
Nicaragua Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $106San Juan del Sur $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $106, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $72. 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 San Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $43San Juan del Sur $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $86San Juan del Sur $52
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or San Juan del Sur? 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 San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.88San Juan del Sur $18
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: $95
- Dominican Republic: Premium Private Transfer to Airports (SDQ PUJ STI LRM): $63
- La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- 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 (8 - 11): $244
- Private Transfer SDQ Airport → Santo Domingo | Safe & On-Time: $45
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Santo Domingo Port: $54
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo SDQ to Samana/Miches/Terrenas: $239
- Private Transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $155
- Private Transfer from Iberostar Bavaro to SDQ: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan del Sur
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Juan del Sur:
- Granada: One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur 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 $57San Juan del Sur $32
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 San Juan del Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Juan del Sur.
- Mombacho Volcano Adventure Tour with Dinner: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $15San Juan del Sur $15
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 Walking Tour with Tastings: $20
- Colonial Zone Tour with tasting: $20
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
- Santo Domingo Tuk Tuk Experience: $25
- Colonial Experience Tour: $30
- Zona Colonial Hictorical Tour with a local artist: $30
Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- La Flor Beach Natural Reserve Bus Tour: $80
- Kayak and Paddle Boarding Adventure in San Juan del Sur: $105
- Surfing Adventure Morning in San Juan del Sur: $105
- Surf and Paradise View Tour in San Juan del Sur: $129
- Masaya Volcano Tour in Nicaragua: $130
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $145
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $150
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $201
- Catamaran Cruise with Meals in San Juan del Sur: $220
- Relaxed Coastal Boat Tour in San Juan del Sur: $250
- Whale Watching Adventure in San Juan del Sur: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $8.03San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands and San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur.
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 San Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or San Juan del Sur?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and San Juan del Sur, 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.