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Dominican Republic on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, the Dominican Republic is a good budget destination away from the all-inclusives. A realistic minimum is about RD$4,300 (roughly US$70) per person per day: bed RD$1,800, food RD$1,200, sights RD$800 and transport RD$500.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | RD$1,800 | RD$4,500 | RD$10,000 |
| Food & drink | RD$1,200 | RD$2,500 | RD$5,000 |
| Sights & tickets | RD$800 | RD$2,500 | RD$5,000 |
| Local transport | RD$500 | RD$1,500 | RD$4,000 |
| Per person, per day | RD$4,300 | RD$11,000 | RD$24,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Dominican Republic day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking the Zona Colonial, Calle Las Damas and Parque Colón
- The Sunday-evening open-air son concert in the San Francisco monastery ruins
- The Malecón sea front in Santo Domingo
- Playa Cosón and Playa Bonita near Las Terrenas
- Calle El Conde pedestrian street
- Sunset at the Pueblo de los Pescadores beach in Las Terrenas
Cheap eats
- La bandera at a comedor: RD$350-500
- Fried fish from the shacks at Playa Rincón: RD$600-900
- Empanadas and pastelitos from street stalls: a few dozen pesos each
- Chicharrón or pica pollo (fried chicken) from a local spot: about RD$200-400
- Fresh coconut or fruit from roadside sellers: about RD$50-150
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in guesthouses and hostels in the Zona Colonial and in Las Terrenas near the beach, with doubles about RD$2,500-4,500 and dorm beds for less.
Getting around cheaply
Long-distance coaches are cheap and comfortable; guaguas (minibuses) are even cheaper for short hops. In Santo Domingo, the metro and Uber are the cheapest easy options. From Las Américas Airport, Uber is usually cheaper than the RD$2,000-2,500 taxi.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Zona Colonial walk, the cathedral and Fortaleza Ozama (a few hundred pesos)
- Lunch: la bandera at a comedor (about RD$450)
- Afternoon: Uber to Los Tres Ojos (about RD$300 each way plus RD$150 entry)
- Evening: Presidente beer at a colmado and empanadas (about RD$400)
- Total: about RD$4,300 including a shared room
More ways to save
- Carry small notes for guaguas, motoconchos and street food.
- Book Samaná buses a day ahead at weekends to avoid paying for private transfers.
- Visit Playa Rincón on weekdays and share a taxi or boat with others.
- Choose guesthouses with kitchens and shop at local markets.
- Use the Santo Domingo metro for long cross-city trips.
- Skip resort excursions and book tours with local operators in town.
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Common questions
Can I travel the Dominican Republic on a budget?
Yes, at about RD$4,300 a day using guesthouses, comedores and intercity buses.
How do I get from Santo Domingo to Samaná cheaply?
Take a Caribe Tours or Asotrabusa bus (about 2.5-3 hours, roughly RD$500-650).
Is Uber available in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Santiago. It is usually the cheapest and easiest option.