A Travel Price Comparison for Dominican Republic Santo Domingo vs. Punta Cana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?

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 Punta Cana can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?

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.

Punta Cana

Punta Cana, located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. This Caribbean paradise offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all types of travelers, whether you're on a tight budget, seeking thrilling activities, exploring local cuisine, or figuring out the best ways to get around.

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, Punta Cana 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santo Domingo is $99, while the average daily cost in Punta Cana is $170. 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 Punta Cana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santo Domingo $40
    Punta Cana $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santo Domingo $80
    Punta Cana $190
Compare Hotels in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana

Looking for a hotel in Santo Domingo or Punta Cana? 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 Santo Domingo


Hotels in Punta Cana


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 Punta Cana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santo Domingo $4.59
    Punta Cana $6.39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:

  • La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
  • Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $11
  • Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $160
  • Private Transfer From La Romana Cruise Port to Las Americas Inter. Airport: $150
  • Private Transfer From Las Americas Inter. Airport to La Romana Cruise Port: $150
  • Private Transfer From Santo Domingo City to Resort Casa de Campo: $175
  • Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Santo Domingo Port: $55
  • Private Transfer Santo Domingo Port to Santo Domingo Airport SDQ: $55
  • Private Transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $155
  • Private Transfer from Int Las Americas Airport (SDQ): $27
  • Private Transfer from Las americas Airport to Punta Cana : $90
  • Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to Bayahibe: $105

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Cana

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Punta Cana:

  • Private Transfers Punta Cana Airport and Cap Cana Hotels: $6.00
  • Private Transfers Punta Cana Airport & Hotels in Uvero Alto: $6.00
  • One Way Shared Transfer from Punta Cana : $9.34
  • Private Transfers from Punta Cana : $13
  • Private Punta Cana Airport Ground Transfers: $14
  • Transfer From Airport To Destination In Punta Cana: $14
  • Private Punta Cana Airport Transfers & Hotels : $14
  • Affordable Punta Cana Airport Transfers, Taxis and Shuttles: $15
  • Private Round-Trip Airport Transfer from Punta Cana Airport (PUJ): $15
  • Private Transfers From Punta Cana Airport to Punta Cana Hotels: $15
  • Private Punta Cana Airport Round Trip Transfer to Punta Cana Hotels: $15
  • Round trip Transfer from Punta Cana Airport To hotels in Dominican Republic: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?

Prices for flights to both Punta Cana 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 day
    Santo Domingo $53
    Punta Cana $64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Punta Cana

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Punta Cana.

  • Origen Tasting Adventure Dinner or Lunch of 8 Courses Dom Cuisine: $85
  • Taste of DR Street Food Tour: $125
  • Sunset Buggies Adventure with Dinner from Punta Cana: $130
  • Punta Cana Night Tour Polaris Ride Dinner Music and Open Bar: $169

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santo Domingo $14
    Punta Cana $30
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:

  • Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
  • Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
  • Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $45
  • Panoramic City Tour: $46
  • Santo Domingo Small Group Walking Tour: Beer and Specialty Coffee: $59
  • Iconic Highlights and historical Tour in Santo Domingo: $75
  • Santo Domingo City Tour with Pickup Included From Santo Domingo: $75
  • Half Day Santo Domingo Tour: Three Eyes Park to Colon Lighthouse: $80
  • Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
  • Santo Domingo Walking Tour for the Whole Family : $88
  • Santo Domingo Cultural Tour: $89
  • Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89

Typical Entertainment Prices in Punta Cana

Here are a few typical costs in Punta Cana for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Dune Buggy Adventure
    $51

Tours and Activities in Punta Cana

Here are a few actual costs in Punta Cana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Pickup: $4.80
  • Shopping Tour in Punta Cana with Round Trip Transportation: $5.00
  • Guided Shopping Tour - Rum tasting, chocolate factory, Cigar factory: $5.00
  • Tour de Compras: Chocolate, Café y Artesanías en Punta Cana.: $5.00
  • Shopping Tour In Don Lucas Cigar Factory, Rum tasting, Cocoa factory, Souvenirs : $5.00
  • Punta Cana Souvenir Shopping Tour with Free Pickup: $6.00
  • Tour of Souvenirs, Shopping in Punta Cana with Transportation Included: $10
  • Punta Cana Shopping Tour : $15
  • Punta Cana Shopping Tour with Transportation: $15
  • ATV Buggy Adventure in Punta Cana with Cultural Experience: $24
  • ATV Buggy Adventure to Macao Beach and Blue Water Cave: $25
  • ATV & Buggy adventure in Punta Cana + Water Cave + Macao Beach: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santo Domingo $7.54
    Punta Cana $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Punta Cana

Also in Punta Cana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl in Punta Cana: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, we can see that Punta Cana is more expensive. And not only is Santo Domingo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Punta Cana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta Cana 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 Punta Cana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?

Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Punta Cana. When comparing the sizes of Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, 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.

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