A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandeville vs. Santo Domingo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandeville or Santo Domingo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Mandeville or Santo Domingo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Mandeville or Santo Domingo?

Mandeville

Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.

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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Mandeville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $95, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is $99. 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 Mandeville and Santo Domingo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $37
    Santo Domingo $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $74
    Santo Domingo $80
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Santo Domingo

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville 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.

Hotels in Mandeville


Hotels in Santo Domingo


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.
    Mandeville $30
    Santo Domingo $4.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • VIP Private Transfer from Las Americas Airport AILA To Punta Cana: $155
  • Transfer to and from Santo Domingo.: $50
  • Transfer in Tesla from SDQ Airport to Santo Domingo: $68
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) - Departure Transfer: $30
  • Santo Domingo to La Romana transfer: $177
  • Santo Domingo Airport to Uvero Alto Exclusive Transfer: $197
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Uvero Alto - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Santo Domingo - Arrival Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to Puerto Plata - Private Transfer: $37
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Arrival Transfer to Punta Cana: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Santo Domingo?

Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo and Mandeville 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 day
    Mandeville $41
    Santo Domingo $53

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.01
    Santo Domingo $14

Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:


  • Snorkeling Tour
    $42

Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:

  • Discover Santo Domingo Gualey and Zona Colonial Private Tour: $115
  • Santo Domingo A Historic Day Tour with Lunch from Punta Cana: $109
  • 6 Hours Private Cultural Tour in Santo Domingo: $190
  • 6-Hour Private Tour of Águilas Bay and the Bauxite Mine: $130
  • Cabarete Caves & Nature Adventure: $128
  • Cultural VIP Private Tour From Santo Domingo: $150
  • Cumayasa Private Buggies Tour from Santo Domingo: $135
  • Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
  • Full Dominican Adventure: Zipline, ATV Buggie, Horseback & Safari: $266
  • Full-Day Adventure Tour of Culture through Santo Domingo: $125
  • Full-Day Cultural Adventure Tour of Santo Domingo from Samana: $140
  • Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.27
    Santo Domingo $7.54


When comparing the travel costs between Mandeville and Santo Domingo, we can see that Santo Domingo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Santo Domingo?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville 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.