The Dominican Republic is among the most accessible Caribbean destinations budget-wise — the massive all-inclusive offer and intense competition between operators keep prices very competitive compared to French Antilles or Bahamas. Reference budget of €70/day/person corresponds to a 4* all-inclusive trip at Punta Cana/Bávaro in shoulder season.
An all-inclusive traveller for two in dry season will budget: 4* all-inclusive hotel €200-400/night for two (meals + drinks + beach included), optional excursions (Isla Saona $80-120/person, Santo Domingo $100-150, Samaná whales $80-100), tips ($5-10/day for staff). Non-all-inclusive stays paradoxically end up more expensive if eating out in tourist zones ($60-100/person/day).
The budget traveller outside all-inclusive can get by on €40-60/day choosing: local hotel €25-50/night (Boca Chica, Sosúa, Las Galeras zones), meals in popular comedores (€4-8), guaguas (minibus collectives $1-3), shared car rental. The luxury traveller finds bliss in Cap Cana ultra-high-end resorts (Eden Roc €600-1,200/night, Tortuga Bay €800-1,500/night) or Santo Domingo colonial zone boutique hotels (Casas del XVI €300-500/night).
By expense category: accommodation (50-60% of budget) — 3* hotel €50-100/night, 4* €100-200, 5* €200-500, premium all-inclusive resort €400-800. Food (15-20% in classic format) — comedores €4-8, tourist restaurants €25-50, Santo Domingo gourmet €60-120. Sites and activities (10-15%) — Santo Domingo colonial zone free (Catedral Primada $2, Alcázar de Colón $4), Isla Saona excursion $80-120, Samaná whales $80-100, diving $60-100/dive. Transport (10-15%) — domestic flights €100-300, car rental €35-55/day, PUJ-Bávaro taxi $40.
Practical tips: the tourist card ($10) is now included in flight tickets. The Dominican peso (DOP) is the local currency (€1 ≈ 62 DOP) but US dollar (USD) is universally accepted in tourism — pay in USD or pesos depending on daily exchange. Visa/Mastercard accepted in resorts and cities but bring cash for comedores and rural areas. Tipping is expected: 10% at restaurant, $1-2 per bag, $5-10/day for hotel staff. 110V voltage (US A/B plugs) requires an adapter for European travellers — don't forget (or buy on site $5-10).
Read also
- Punta Cana and the East — Bávaro, Cap Cana, Bayahibe: the world capital of all-inclusive and its 30 km of beaches.
- Santo Domingo and the South — The first European city in the Americas (1496), UNESCO colonial zone, historical heart of the New World.
- Samaná — Lush peninsula, Rincón beach, humpback whales January to March, ecotourism and authenticity.
- Puerto Plata and the North — Amber coast, Sosúa, Cabarete world capital of kitesurfing, Pico Isabel de Torres cable car.
- Santo Domingo — UNESCO colonial zone, Fortaleza Ozama, Alcázar de Colón, first cathedral in the Americas.