Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar or Santo Domingo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Santo Domingo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Santo Domingo?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Santo Domingo $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $106. 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 Zanzibar and Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Santo Domingo $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Santo Domingo $86
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Santo Domingo? 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Santo Domingo $4.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers & Island Shuttles – Book Now: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
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: $94
- 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 (1 - 4): $184
- Private Arrival Transfer: Santo Domingo International Airport to Hotels (8 - 11): $244
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Santo Domingo International Airport (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
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $28Santo Domingo $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
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.Zanzibar $13Santo Domingo $15
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.08
- Nyange Sandbank & Snorkelling tour with BBQ lunch: $12
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Daily Karibu Assalam Tour: $20
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:
- Tour a las Mejores Playas del Caribe: $5.00
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- The Battle of Santo Domingo 4D Experience: $5.00
- Tainos 4D Experience in Santo Domingo's Colonial City: $6.00
- Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
- Colonial Zone Tour with tasting: $20
- Colonial Zone Walking Tour with Tastings: $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Santo Domingo $8.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Santo Domingo, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Santo Domingo, 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.