Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo?
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 Tamarindo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Tamarindo?
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.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.
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.
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Santo Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanto Domingo $104Tamarindo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $104, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $145. 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 Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanto Domingo $42Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanto Domingo $84Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Tamarindo? 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 Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santo Domingo $4.79Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $17
- Taxi & Transfer From And To Punta Cana International Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from/to SDQ or JBQ Airports: $23
- Private Transfer from SD to SDQ Airport – Travel Stress-Free!: $25
- Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $33
- Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Santo Domingo City): $35
- 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
- From 1-Way Private Hotel Transfers: $39
- Santo Domingo Airport: One-Way or Round Trip Transfers: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Departure transfer : $6.00
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Secret Papagayo: $13
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Waldorf Astoria Hotel: $15
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo: $15
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport Hotel Arco Iris Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Luna Llena Hotel Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To La Palapa In Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Pastiempo Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Palapa in Tamarindo: $21
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To W Costa Rica : $22
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport To Hotel Pas Tiempo Tamarindo: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo 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 $56Tamarindo $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.
- Online Class on Zoom: Cooking Costa Rica Homemade Food: $35
- Tamarindo : Traditional Cooking Class: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santo Domingo $15Tamarindo $17
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
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Chocolate Tour + Optional Workshops: $21
- Zona Colonial Hictorical Tour with a local artist: $30
- Three Eyes National Park Guided Tour: $35
- Colonial Experience Tour: $35
- Street Tour: $35
- Bachata Social Dancing Tour: $36
- City Boat Ride Adventure: $39
- Three Eyes Park and Colon Lighthouse Experience: $45
- Silent Disco Adventure in the Colonial Zone: $45
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Turtle Nesting Tour Playa Grande CR: $45
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Horseback Riding - 2h Guided Tour: $48
- Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour with Naturalist Guide: $50
- Tamarindo Surf & Tours : Surf Lesson For All Levels: $50
- Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $55
- Twilight and Nightlife Experience in Tamarindo: $60
- 1 Hour Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $65
- Tamarindo Estuary: Kayak Monkey Tour: $65
- ATV Tour of Tamarindo: $65
- Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanto Domingo $7.88Tamarindo $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Tamarindo
Also in Tamarindo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tamarindo Bar Crawl Experience: $15
- Tamarindo Bar Crawl Experience: $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo 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.