Is The Dominican Republic Expensive?
How much do you need when traveling around the Dominican Republic?
Located in the middle of the Caribbean Ocean, this Latin nation has always been a popular spot for those looking to hit the beach and enjoy the unique atmosphere here.
Those heading to the Dominican Republic can also enjoy some memorable scenery, as well as try some tasty Caribbean plates too.
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when traveling the Dominican Republic, such as for accommodation, food and getting around.
As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Is Dominican Republic Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: Similar with other Latin Caribbean nations (such as Puerto Rico), the Dominican Republic is quite an expensive country to travel around. This is especially true when compared with countries in South America.
Travelers can live off a daily budget of $25-35, which includes staying in a really nice dorm room (or budget private room) as well as eating several, filling local meals.
Things to know before traveling to the Dominican Republic
- Getting around the Dominican Republic is Quite Easy – Usually when a country becomes really popular, it does make it feel less authentic. However here it hasn’t had such an impact, and if anything has made getting around the island super easy. Those who love comfort can either take taxis to get around (or air-conditioned buses to save on travel costs). There’s also the local colectivos too which leave frequently and cost a lot less. Transport times are quite small too, and you can usually reach most destinations within 6 hours or less.
- The Local Culture is Really Heated – The first thing that I (George) remember when I went to the DR was just how loud and expressive everyone and everything was! This was even more so than other countries in Latin America, so you may feel a bit of culture shock when you first arrive. However the locals here are really friendly and helpful, so once you’re used to this you’ll quickly be able to relax and enjoy the local scenes. This alone makes the Dominican Republic worth visiting at least once.
- Choose your Destinations Carefully – This is actually from a cost perspective rather than a safety one. On the island you’ll find certain places like Punta Cana really hard on the wallet (even if you stay in hostels and all), so you’ll need to choose depending where you visit depending on what your budget permits. For example, cheap beach destinations would include Sosúa and the north coast, whilst cities like Santiago de los Caballeros are cheaper than that of Santo Domingo.
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How much does a trip to the Dominican Republic cost?
Budget travelers and backpackers can expect to spend between $25-35 a day in the Dominican Republic, whilst those who want a more deluxe experience (such as private rooms, eating in nicer establishments) can budget for around $40-50+ a day.
This budget only covers accommodation, food and a few extras (like beers, a walking tour or entrance etc). Other costs such as flights and day tours will need to be planned with a different budget in mind.
Cost of Accommodation in the Dominican Republic
As a whole, we’ve found accommodation costs to be quite expensive here in the Dominican Republic. This does of course vary depending on the area, where for example in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana even the hostels can be quite pricey.
However, here we’ll do our best to give you some solid options depending on your budget and trip requirements.
If you’re looking to keep things cheap, then dorm beds in hostels are the way to go. Whilst the rest of Latin America is cheaper, here you can expect to spend between $10-14 for a nice dorm bed in the capital or other touristy areas (and even more when booking during high seasons such as Christmas).
Usually though these hostels are located in great areas with lots to do, with possible on-site extras too like a swimming pool and bar. When heading to Santo Domingo, we recommend staying in the Hostal Mi Rincón, which is located in the heart of the Colonial Zone. Here you’ll be in a private room at a great rate, close to all of the major touristy sites.
Nicer accommodation options (such as upgraded private rooms and hotels) are more widespread in the Dominican Republic, given it has been a popular holiday destination for many decades.
As you can imagine they won’t come cheap (around $30-40+ for a private room) however the amenities and perks will be worth it.
Those who are heading to Punta Cana can stay at the Green Coast Hotel, which we’ve found to be a bargain in an otherwise really expensive area. You’ll be staying just a short walk from the same beach as many of the big resorts, however paying a fraction of the price!
Cost of Food in the Dominican Republic
The local food in the Dominican Republic is highly underrated (and is one of George’s favorites throughout the Caribbean). Here we can find all kinds of local delights, as well as international chains if you fancy a comfort food or two.
Street foods and local restaurants will cost around $2-4 for a one-person meal. Usually these will include staples like meat, rice and plantains, although in the more touristy-areas they do cater with other foods too. In these more local restaurants, we’ve found these prices to be similar throughout the country (in the non-touristy zones).
In parts of Santo Domingo and Punta Cana we’ll also find dozens of international cuisines covered too. This is mainly in the hotel resorts and main strips, and usually costs between $7-10 for a meal. Of course this can go upwards of $20 too if heading to an exclusive restaurant. Learning some basic Spanish can go a long way when ordering food too.
Cost of Transportation in the Dominican Republic
Within the cities, you’ll find that local buses and Ubers are the best ways of getting around at a good rate. Uber is pretty extensive throughout the island too, so it’s worth making use of this compared with traditional taxis (which are more expensive – and usually hike prices up further for tourists).
In areas in the north (such as Cabarete, Puerto Plata and Sosúa), you can also use local motorcycle taxis to get around for even cheaper. Just be careful and make sure you wear a helmet, given accident rates related to motorcycles are some of the highest on the planet here.
When arriving at the airports, you’ll also find there’s a range of options to get to the city (given airports here tend to be somewhat far from the city center). If arriving in Punta Cana then you can pre-book your shuttle here to get transport directly to your accommodation.
You’ll also have a nice range of options getting between destinations too, depending on your budget. Flying remains the most expensive, and we don’t really recommend it as it’s not so common (also as land transport times are really quick here).
Taxis are often used between popular tourist destinations, however can get quite expensive quickly. For example, a taxi ride from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana will cost upwards of $130!
Those who want to keep costs low can either use local buses or guaguas (colectivos) to get around. For example the 3 hour air-conditioned bus from Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo costs just $9.
Guaguas are the ultimate cost-saving method of transportation, which a small shuttle that locals use to get around. Whilst they can be somewhat uncomfortable (sometimes cramped with no AC), you can spend as little as a couple of dollars to get between major destinations. These are especially popular in the north of the island.
Cost of Tours & Attractions in the Dominican Republic
There’s lots of awesome destinations and day trips that you’ll want to do when in the Dominican Republic. However you’ll find that costs can either be cheap or super expensive depending on the activity and area. This means it’s a good idea to plan a more flexible budget before arriving here.
In general, tours around Santo Domingo and smaller destinations like Puerto Plata and Las Terrenas tend to be reasonable in both price and quality. You’ll usually have a bilingual guide as well as water and snacks provided as a minimum.
A good example is when wanting to see the city highlights in the capital. There’s various options you can choose, however we highly recommend this guided bike tour where you’ll visit various important historical sites. Given it gets pretty hot here, the added breeze from being on a bike is very welcome, as well as the cool drinks provided by your guide.
Any tours around Punta Cana can get expensive quickly, unless you know how to find good deals (which we’ll help out with here). Saona Island is arguably a must for those who love island-hopping and going snorkeling, however in Punta Cana prices tend to jump over a hundred dollars for a day trip.
We instead recommend joining this highly-rated day trip, which includes all transport, an open bar as well as a buffet lunch.
The Dominican Republic Travel Costs FAQs
Is Dominican Republic Expensive for Tourists?
That’s all for our guide on how expensive the Dominican Republic is.
Famed for its world-class beaches, this Caribbean nation certainly does not disappoint.
As well as relaxing on fine white sands and snorkeling in some of the most clear waters in the Western Hemisphere, here you can really enjoy the festive culture that makes the Dominican Republic so special.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around the Dominican Republic. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
Be sure to read our Backpacking Dominican Republic Itinerary for more advice on traveling around this memorable island.
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