Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
A detailed, honest breakdown of how much a Dominican Republic vacation costs in 2026 — covering flights, hotels, food, transportation, and activities with real prices in USD and DOP for backpackers, mid-range, and luxury travelers.
The Dominican Republic sits in a sweet spot for travelers: it is significantly cheaper than the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Barbados, yet offers better infrastructure than most of Central America. But "cheap" is relative, and your actual costs depend enormously on how you travel. A backpacker eating at comedores (local lunch counters) and sleeping in hostels can spend US$50/day. A couple at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana might pay US$200-400/day. A luxury traveler at Casa de Campo in La Romana can easily exceed US$600/day.
This guide provides real, current prices — in both US dollars and Dominican pesos (RD$) — for every category of expense. All prices reflect 2025-2026 rates and include the 18% ITBIS tax where applicable.
By Caribbean standards, the Dominican Republic is affordable. By Southeast Asian backpacker standards, it is moderately expensive. Here is a quick reference for daily costs per person (excluding flights):
The exchange rate as of early 2026 is approximately US$1 = RD$59-60. All conversions in this guide use this rate. The peso has been relatively stable against the dollar, fluctuating only 2-3% annually in recent years.
Airfare is typically the single largest expense in a DR trip. Prices vary dramatically by season, departure city, and how far in advance you book.
JetBlue and Spirit offer the cheapest fares from the East Coast. JetBlue frequently runs flash sales to PUJ and SDQ in the US$199-249 range. Spirit can go as low as US$130 round-trip during low season, but factor in baggage fees (US$35-70 each way for a checked bag), which erode the savings.
WestJet and Air Transat run charter and scheduled service with competitive fares. The Canadian snowbird market keeps winter fares high — book 3-4 months ahead for the best deals.
Where you sleep is the second-biggest variable in your budget. The DR offers options at every price point.
Dorm beds: RD$600-1,500 (US$10-25) per night. Private rooms in hostels: RD$1,500-3,000 (US$25-50). The hostel scene is strongest in Santo Domingo (Zona Colonial), Cabarete, and Las Terrenas. Punta Cana has very few hostels — it is fundamentally a resort destination. Quality is inconsistent; Hostelworld reviews are your best guide. Top picks include Island Life Hostel (Zona Colonial) and Cabarete Maravilla Eco Lodge.
All-inclusive pricing is per person and includes all meals, drinks, entertainment, and basic activities. See our detailed all-inclusive resorts guide for honest reviews and recommendations.
Airbnb is widely available throughout the DR. A private apartment in Santo Domingo runs RD$2,000-5,000 (US$33-83)/night. Beachfront apartments in Punta Cana or Las Terrenas cost RD$4,000-12,000 (US$67-200)/night. Entire villas with pools start around RD$9,000 (US$150)/night and can reach RD$60,000+ (US$1,000+)/night for luxury properties in Cap Cana or Casa de Campo.
Pro tip: Airbnb can be the best value for groups of 4-6 traveling together. A 3-bedroom apartment in Las Terrenas for RD$6,000/night (US$100) works out to US$17-25 per person — far cheaper than even a hostel, with the added bonus of a kitchen for cooking some meals. Booking.com often has better inventory than Airbnb for properties in the Punta Cana resort zone, while Airbnb dominates in Santo Domingo, Samaná, and the north coast.
Food in the Dominican Republic ranges from absurdly cheap to resort-level expensive, depending entirely on where you eat.
This is where the DR shines for budget travelers. A comedor (small family-run restaurant) serves a bandera dominicana — rice, beans, meat, salad, and fried plantains — for RD$200-350 (US$3.30-5.80). This is a full, hearty meal. Street food options include:
Try the classic la bandera — it is the national meal and available everywhere. A chimichurri at 2 AM from a street cart after a night out is a rite of passage.
A sit-down meal at a non-resort restaurant typically costs RD$500-1,500 (US$8-25) per person including a drink. Popular chains like Buen Provecho and Adrian Tropical serve Dominican food in air-conditioned comfort for RD$400-800 (US$7-13) per entrée. International restaurants (Italian, sushi, steak) in tourist areas charge RD$800-2,000 (US$13-33) per main course.
Santo Domingo has a legitimate fine dining scene. Restaurants like Travesías, SBG (at Casa de Campo), and Pat'e Palo in the Zona Colonial charge RD$1,500-4,000 (US$25-67) per main course. A full dinner with wine, appetizer, entrée, and dessert runs RD$4,000-8,000 (US$67-133) per person. At resort restaurants in Punta Cana, expect similar prices at standalone restaurants outside the all-inclusive zone.
Uber works well in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and increasingly in Punta Cana. Typical fares: RD$150-400 (US$2.50-6.70) for rides within Santo Domingo. Cross-city trips rarely exceed RD$500 (US$8.30). Uber is almost always cheaper than taxis and the most convenient option for tourists in urban areas.
Taxis in resort areas use fixed rates (no meters). A short ride in the Punta Cana hotel zone runs RD$600-1,200 (US$10-20). In Santo Domingo, taxis are metered but many drivers prefer to quote flat rates — negotiate before getting in. Airport transfer rates are listed in our airports guide.
The cheapest way to travel between cities. A guagua from Santo Domingo to Santiago costs RD$350-450 (US$5.80-7.50) for a 2.5-hour ride. Santo Domingo to La Romana runs RD$250-300 (US$4.20-5). These are shared minibuses that leave when full — no fixed schedule. Comfortable for adventurous travelers, but not air-conditioned on most routes.
Air-conditioned coach buses operate fixed routes between major cities. Caribe Tours and Metro are the main operators. Fares: Santo Domingo to Santiago RD$500 (US$8.30), Santo Domingo to Samaná RD$600-700 (US$10-11.70), Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata RD$550 (US$9.20). Buses depart on schedule and are safe and comfortable. This is the best-value long-distance option.
The cheapest local transport: RD$25-100 (US$0.40-1.70) for short trips within towns. You ride on the back of a motorcycle. Thrilling for the adventurous, terrifying for everyone else. Helmets are rarely provided. Use at your own risk — we recommend Uber or walking in tourist areas.
US$35-70/day for a compact car, US$55-100/day for an SUV. Add US$15-25/day for insurance (mandatory). Fuel costs approximately RD$300/gallon (US$5). A week-long rental with insurance and fuel for moderate driving runs US$350-600 total. Worth it for multi-destination trips; unnecessary at a single resort.
Domestic flights connect the main airports and are useful for long-distance travel within the country. Arajet and Sky Cana operate limited internal routes. A flight from SDQ to PUJ costs US$50-100 one way and takes 40 minutes versus 3 hours driving. SDQ to POP is similar. Internal flights are not frequent — often only 1-2 per day — so plan around the schedule. For most travelers, long-distance buses (Caribe Tours, Metro) are more practical and dramatically cheaper for inter-city travel.
Santiago's urban cable car system costs just RD$20 (US$0.33) per ride and offers aerial views of the city. While primarily a commuter system, it is a fun and absurdly cheap experience for visitors to Santiago.
Excursions and activities are where many tourists blow their budget — resort-booked excursions charge a 40-100% markup over booking directly. Here are typical prices when booked independently:
Several costs catch first-time visitors off guard:
The ITBIS (Impuesto sobre Transferencias de Bienes Industrializados y Servicios) is the Dominican value-added tax at 18%. It applies to restaurant meals, hotel rooms, and most purchased goods. Some menus and hotel quotes show prices before ITBIS, meaning your final bill is 18% higher than expected. Always ask: "Is ITBIS included?" (¿Incluye ITBIS?). At all-inclusive resorts, ITBIS is always included in the quoted rate.
Restaurants automatically add a 10% propina legal (legal tip) to your bill. This is not optional — it is a government-mandated service charge. However, staff receive only a portion of it, so leaving an additional 5-10% for excellent service is customary and appreciated. Your restaurant bill is effectively 28% higher than menu prices (18% ITBIS + 10% propina).
In resort areas, prices for tourists are often 2-3x what locals pay. A motoconcho ride that costs a local RD$25 might be quoted at RD$100 to a tourist. Street vendors in Bávaro charge more than those in Santiago. This is reality, not a scam — just the economics of tourism. Speaking basic Spanish helps get closer to local prices.
At all-inclusive resorts, housekeeping staff earn low base wages (RD$12,000-18,000/month, or US$200-300). While tips are technically included in the all-inclusive rate, leaving RD$100-200 (US$1.70-3.30) per day for your housekeeper on the nightstand makes a real difference. Budget US$2-3/day for housekeeping tips throughout your stay.
Dominican ATMs charge RD$200-400 (US$3.30-6.70) per withdrawal, plus your home bank likely charges an additional US$3-5. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize fees. Banco Popular and Scotiabank ATMs are the most reliable. Maximum withdrawal is typically RD$10,000-15,000 (US$167-250) per transaction.
Good news: the US$20 departure tax is included in your airline ticket and has been since 2015. You do not need to pay anything extra at the airport. See our airports guide for more departure details.
Do not rely on hotel Wi-Fi or international roaming for data. A local prepaid SIM card from Claro or Altice costs RD$100-200 (US$1.70-3.30) for the SIM itself, plus data plans: 1GB for RD$200 (US$3.30), 3GB for RD$450 (US$7.50), or unlimited for a week for RD$700-900 (US$12-15). Purchase at the airport arrivals area or any Claro/Altice store in town. Having mobile data means you can use Uber, Google Maps, WhatsApp (the Dominican communication standard), and translation apps — all essential for independent travel.
This itinerary assumes a solo backpacker traveling independently, eating local food, using public transportation, and staying in hostels or budget hotels. Base: Santo Domingo with day trips.
Total: approximately US$284 for 7 days (US$41/day) — excluding flights.
A couple sharing a boutique hotel, eating at a mix of local and tourist restaurants, using Uber, and doing 2-3 paid excursions. Split between Santo Domingo (3 nights) and Samaná (4 nights).
Total per person: approximately US$870 for 7 days (US$124/day) — excluding flights.
A couple at a luxury all-inclusive (5 nights in Punta Cana) plus 2 nights at a boutique hotel in Santo Domingo, with premium excursions and fine dining.
Total per person: approximately US$3,675 for 7 days (US$525/day) — excluding flights.
At an all-inclusive resort where meals and drinks are covered, bring US$200-400 in cash for tips, excursions, and souvenirs. For independent travel at a mid-range level, budget US$800-1,200 per person for the week (excluding flights and pre-paid accommodation). Budget travelers can manage on US$300-500 for the week. Bring a mix of US dollars (widely accepted) and withdraw Dominican pesos from ATMs as needed.
No — it is one of the most affordable Caribbean destinations. A comedor meal costs US$3-5, a beer is US$1.70-4, and Uber rides across the city run US$3-7. The only expensive category is all-inclusive resorts during peak season, which can rival US hotel prices. Outside resort zones, your money goes very far. The DR is roughly 40-50% cheaper than Cancún, 60% cheaper than Barbados, and comparable to Colombia or Costa Rica.
It depends entirely on where you eat. A comedor lunch (the most common local restaurant) costs RD$200-350 (US$3.30-5.80). A mid-range restaurant meal with a drink costs RD$600-1,200 (US$10-20). A fine dining dinner in Santo Domingo runs RD$2,500-5,000 (US$42-83) per person with wine. Street food (chimichurris, empanadas) costs RD$50-200 (US$0.85-3.30).
Bring US dollars and exchange or withdraw pesos locally. USD is accepted at most tourist-facing businesses (hotels, excursion operators, resort-area restaurants), but you will get a worse exchange rate than using pesos. ATMs dispense pesos at fair rates. Do not exchange money with street changers — the risk of counterfeit bills is real. Use bank ATMs or exchange houses (casas de cambio) at the airport or in shopping plazas.
Our team includes contributors who live in the Dominican Republic year-round and travel the island extensively, from Santo Domingo to remote southwest villages.