Is Punta Cana expensive? Learn everything about prices in Punta Cana!

 Do you know how much a beer in Punta Cana costs? Do you have an idea about the price of a local meal? Or are you wondering about the prices of the supermarkets in the Dominican Republic? If you are planning a vacation to Punta Cana but don’t know how much to factor in for your travel budget, this is your article to read. As I am living in Punta Cana, I can give you all the detailed prices of the area in Bavaro and beyond, starting from a simple banana up to an expensive all-inclusive resort. And while Punta Cana is indeed more expensive than the rest of the Dominican Republic, most things are still a bargain. Do you have further questions? Let me know and I am adding it to this list of prices in Punta Cana.

Do you want to know more about your necessary travel budget for Punta Cana?
If you plan to stay at a resort, you should check on how to save money when booking an all-inclusive vacation.
If you prefer to explore Punta Cana individually, have a look at my guide about how to travel to Punta Cana on a budget.

Completely UPDATED: July 2023

Introduction

 Punta Cana is not the cheapest place to go on holiday in the Dominican Republic, as it is one of the more expensive places in the country. However, Punta Cana is still one of the most economic destinations where you can go on a Caribbean vacation, so it is well worth having a closer look at the prices in Punta Cana. Once you have read this list of prices, you can make your own guess if Punta Cana is expensive.

 Please note that I will list all prices in the currency they are usually quoted here in Punta Cana, which is the Dominican Peso (DOP) for all local products and services and the US-Dollar (USD) for most services related to tourism. As of now (July 2023), 1 USD is approximately 55 DOP. The prices shall indicate approximates and give you an idea of what to expect in Punta Cana, so please don’t fight with me for 5 Pesos. 😉

 Furthermore, I will update this list regularly, but as I am not buying every product every day, small discrepancies might apply.

 If you are interested in some insider tips and recommendations on how to save money while on an all-inclusive holiday in Punta Cana, check out this article. And if you are planning to stay in a guesthouse, AirBnB (check out the best Airbnbs in Punta Cana here) or hostel and want some money-saving tips, I have some specific recommendations here, incl. for backpackers.

Cost of airport transfers in Punta Cana

 There are different ways of getting from Punta Cana International Airport to your accommodation. All the costs below are one-way:

• Public Transport: 120 DOP (approx. 2 USD) (per person)
• Shared Airport Transfer: starting from 8 USD (per person) (book cheap shuttle here*)
• Private Airport Transfer: starting from 25 USD (per vehicle) (book recommendation here*)
• Taxi from the airport: starting from 30 USD (per vehicle)
• SUV vehicle from the airport: starting from 70 USD (per vehicle) (see luxury airport transfer here*)

Further information to read:
– Airport transfers from Punta Cana International Airport
– Airport transfers from Santo Domingo International Airport
– How to get from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo
– How to get from Punta Cana to Bayahibe/La Romana
– How to get from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata

 Offers and promotions for airport transfers to Punta Cana:
– Check prices here (for Punta Cana International Airport)*
– Check prices here (for Santo Domingo International Airport)*

Prices of hotels in Punta Cana and beyond

 Even the all-inclusive resorts are pre-dominant in Punta Cana and count for more than 90% of all hotel beds, there are all kinds of other accommodation in the area of Bavaro, Macao and beyond as well.

• Hostel in the Punta Cana area: starting from 20 USD for a bed (see the currently only hostel with dorms in Punta Cana here*)
• Budget accommodation in Punta Cana: starting from 30 USD for a double room
• Nice guesthouse or B&B within walking distance to the beach: starting from 50 USD for a double room
• High-quality hotel on bed and breakfast basis at the beach: starting from 125 USD for a double room
• Low-budget all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana at the beach: starting from 150 USD for a double room in low season and 200 USD in high season
• Good 5-star all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana at the beach: starting from 225 USD for a double room in low season and 300 USD in high season
• High-end all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana at the beach: starting from 350 USD for a double room in low season and 550 USD in high season

Further information: 
– How to find the best all-inclusive resort?
– When is the best time to travel to Punta Cana?
– How to save money on an all-inclusive vacation?
– The best Airbnbs in Punta Cana (24 hand-selected and recommended accommodations)
– The best cheap all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana

Offers and promotions:
– Check best all-inclusive promotions*
– Have a look at guesthouses and small hotels*
– List of cheapest stays in Punta Cana (hostels & more)*

Moving around in Punta Cana and beyond – how much does it cost?

 Getting around in Punta Cana and beyond is more expensive than in other areas in the Dominican Republic – but still pretty cheap compared to other countries. While taxis are the easiest way to get around in Punta Cana, their prices are quite steep, whereas public transport is pretty uncomfortable but super cheap. You can also consider renting a car in Punta Cana as this gives you additional flexibility and the chance to have some amazing day-trips from Punta Cana.

• Public transport one-way journey: 50 DOP (approx. 1 USD) (per person)
• Short rides (2-3 miles) with a motorcycle-taxi (motoconcho): 100 DOP (approx. 2 USD) (per person)
• Public bus from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo (approx. 3 hours): 450 DOP (approx. 8 USD) (per person)
• Uber in Punta Cana: 3-6 USD for short rides (up to 15 minutes approx.) (per vehicle)
• Taxi in Punta Cana: 25 USD minimum fee for most rides, easily more if its more than 15 minutes (per vehicle)
• Rental Car in Punta Cana: 35 USD + insurance per day or 55 USD incl. insurances (if booked in advance*) (per vehicle)
• Gas: approx. 275 DOP (5 USD) per gallon
• Tolls: No tolls in the Punta Cana area; 260 DOP (approx. 5 USD) when going from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo or 200 DOP (approx. 4 USD) when going from Punta Cana to Bayahibe

Further information: 
– Public transport in Punta Cana
– Shall I rent a car in Punta Cana?
– Amazing day-trip ideas from Punta Cana
– Uber in Punta Cana

Eating out at restaurants in Punta Cana – is it expensive?

 Even most people are staying in an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, there are still plenty of options to eat outside. First of all, because there are thousands of apartments, condominiums and AirBnBs and second, because the resort workers also need some place to go out and either fill their stomach with some cheap eats or splurge a bit in fancier restaurants. Luckily, you have all these options in Punta Cana, so that eating out not necessarily is expensive if you stick to the very local options. However, mostly you want to visit a restaurant where you have to factor in at least 12-15 USD for a meal.

• Lunch (dish of the day) in a local eatery (“Comedor”): 200 DOP (approx. 4 USD)
• Lunch in a beachfront restaurant/beach club on Punta Canas’ beaches: 800 DOP per dish (15 USD)
• Dinner at a local food truck: 350 DOP (approx. 6.50 USD)
• Dinner at a decent restaurant: 800 DOP per dish (15 USD)
• Snacks on the street (e.g. Empanadas, Tostones, etc.): 50 DOP (approx. 1 USD)

Drinks in Punta Cana – what are the prices?

 The Dominican Republic is famous for its rum, which is why you should put your focus on any rum-based drinks (in case you like alcohol). It is cheap, good quality and refreshes yourself, but be careful and don’t drink under the direct influence of the sun. Alternatively, try the local beer (which isn’t that special) or the tropical fruit juices (which, however, often have tons of sugar). If you want to drink like the locals do, head to a local colmado, a mom-and-pop store which turns into a bar in the afternoon or the evening.

• Small beer (12oz) at the local supermarket: 90 DOP (approx. 1.60 USD)
• Small beer at a Colmado: 120 DOP (approx. 2 USD)
• Huge beer (“Jumbo”, 34oz) at a Colmado: 250 DOP (approx. 5 USD)
• Small beer in a local bar: 200 DOP (approx. 4 USD)
• Small beer in a beach bar: 300 DOP (approx. 6 USD)
• Cuba Libre at a local bar: 200 DOP (approx. 4 USD)
• Cuba Libre at a beach bar: 350 DOP (approx. 6.50 USD)
• Crafted cocktails at a beach bar: 450 DOP and up (approx. 8 USD)

Excursions in Punta Cana – are they expensive?

 Excursions in Punta Cana vary widely in pricing. You can get decent tours for as low as 45 USD, even most excursions are more in the range between 60 and 90 USD. Longer tours, such as Los Haitises, Santo Domingo or whale watching, might easily cost 100 USD and more.

 Prices for Punta Cana excursions also depend on where you book them, I highly recommend to check Viator* for the biggest selection of tours and check back here at Punta Cana Travel Blog for authentic experiences and recommendations about this specific type of tour.

• Buggy Adventure Tour – starting from 40 USD and up
• Ziplining in Punta Cana – starting from 70 USD and up
• Party Boat Tour / Booze Cruise in Punta Cana – starting from 55 USD and up
• Double-Tank dive – starting from 100 USD and up
• Isla Saona excursion – starting from 75 USD and up
• Los Haitises Tour – starting from 150 USD and up
• Santo Domingo Tour – starting from 95 USD and up
• Whale watching excursion from Punta Cana – starting from 150 USD and up
• and so much more … 

Further information: 
– Excursion & Tour Reviews on Punta Cana Travel Blog

Offers and promotions:
– Check current promotions on Viator*
– Check current promotions on GetYourGuide*

Supermarket – how are the prices for groceries & Co.?

 Supermarket prices in the Dominican Republic are pretty expensive compared to the minimum wage of the local workers, which is just about 200 USD per month. Of course, groceries are still considerably cheaper than in the United States, but compared to some European countries where prices are pretty low, shopping in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic is not as cheap as you might expect.

 On the other side, if you stick to local products, your supermarket bill in Punta Cana won’t be too high and if you buy some of the fruits and vegetables from roadside vendors, it will be even cheaper.

• Local eggs (pack of 6 eggs): 55 DOP (approx. 1 USD)
• Local pasta (1 pound): 30 DOP (approx. 0.50 USD)
• Imported brand pasta (1 pound): 90 DOP (approx. 1.60 USD)
• Local rice (1 pound): 35 DOP (approx. 0.70 USD)
• Imported brand rice (1 pound): 100 DOP (approx. 1.80 USD)
• Local bananas (per piece): 7,5 DOP (approx. 0.15 USD)
• Local mangos (per piece): 25 DOP (approx. 0.50 USD)
• Imported apples (per pound): 70 DOP (approx. 1.30 USD)
• Imported pears (per pound): 100 DOP (approx. 1.80 USD)
• Local onions (per pound): 90 DOP (approx. 1.60 USD)
• Local carrots (per pound): 35 DOP (approx. 0.70 USD)
• Tomatoes (per pound): 40 DOP (approx. 0.75 USD)
• Bell pepper (per pound): 70 DOP (approx. 1.20 USD)
• Local cheese (per pound): 250 DOP (approx. 5 USD)
• Imported cheese (per pound): 350 DOP and up (approx. 6.50 USD)
• Local milk (1 liter): 65 DOP (approx. 1.20 USD)
• Imported milk (1 liter): 100 DOP (approx. 1.80 USD)
• Local beer (small bottle): 90 DOP (approx. 1.60 USD)
• Imported beer (small bottle): 100 DOP (approx. 1.80 USD)
• Local quality rum (700ml): 550 DOP (approx. 10 USD)
• Local high-quality rum (700ml): 1200 DOP (approx. 22 USD)

If you are wondering where you can find Punta Canas’ supermarkets, you can check out the following:
– Jumbo, located at Downtown Mall Bavaro (the biggest supermarket, easily accessible by Punta Cana’s public transport “system”)
– La Sirena, located at San Juan Shopping Center next to Downtown Mall (the second choice in this area after Jumbo)
– Supermercado Nacional, at Punta Cana Village next to the airport (the most modern grocery store in Punta Cana)
– Plaza Lama, close to Cocotal, Lopesan Costa Bavaro and IFA Villas (a proper supermarket in Punta Cana, but not as big as the others)
– Iberia, located in Friusa (a local Dominican supermarket, a bit outdated)

You can find further smaller grocery stores in Punta Cana in the surrounding area, but those mentioned above are the main ones that are important depending on where you stay and what you need. Especially Jumbo Supermarket in Punta Cana is also a great option to buy local souvenirs, such as rum, coffee, chocolate, fruits, cigars and more.

How much does it cost to go to Punta Cana?

 Alright, you got all the prices in Punta Cana now and see that Punta Cana can be cheap (depending on your preferences and how you spend your money), but you might ask how much it cost to go to Punta Cana, maybe for 1 week, maybe for a couple of days. Let’s dive a bit deeper into this and have a look at a few scenarios.

How much does it cost to go to Punta Cana for a week (for a couple on a budget)?

 Let’s imagine you just want to have a cheap beach getaway in the Dominican Republic. Particularly if you don’t need a lot of amenities and if you even can identify yourself with the principles of backpacking, traveling to Punta Cana the cheap way is absolutely possible. Don’t worry, you don’t have to sleep in a dorm to stick to a low budget, particularly as some nice quality guesthouses or Airbnbs in Punta Cana are available from 30-40 USD per night.

Here is an example of how much it cost to go to Punta Cana for a week on a budget:

• Flights from Miami to Punta Cana with Low-Cost Carrier (for example Frontier): 600 USD per couple (100 USD per person per way plus baggage), return incl. bags (find cheap flights to Punta Cana here*)
• Shared airport transfer from Punta Cana Airport to Bavaro: 32 USD return (8 USD per person per way; book cheap airport transfers here*)
• Accommodation for 1 week in Punta Cana in a nice budget guesthouse (15-30 minutes walking distance to the beach): 280 USD in total (40 USD per room per night) (see the best budget accommodation recommendations here)
• Food for 1 week in Punta Cana (self-catering breakfast @ 2 USD per person per day, local Comedor lunch @ 4 USD per person per day (200 DOP) and food truck meals @ 10 USD per person per day): 224 USD
• Drinks for 1 week (1 Jumbo beer (1 liter/34 oz) in a local Colmado per day): 35 USD
• Activities, public transport and other expenses: 100 USD (check my free e-book for the best free things to do in Punta Cana)

TOTAL cost for 1 week in Punta Cana incl. flights: 1271 USD (635,50 USD per person)

 As you can see, it keeps down the cost to go to Punta Cana for one week to 635 USD per week per person – and you don’t have to abstain from anything. You can eat great local food, get to know the more authentic side of Bavaro and can explore all the beautiful beaches Punta Cana has to offer.

How much does it cost to go to Punta Cana for a family?

 But I can understand if you rather prefer a resort to wander out on your own, so let’s see how much the cost is to go to Punta Cana for a family with 2 kids who need to take care of their budget a bit without foregoing the all-inclusive experience. Let’s assume you are coming somewhere from the Chicago area and would like to go during the summer holidays to enjoy a family resort in Punta Cana.

• Flights from Chicago to Punta Cana with Low-Cost Carrier (for example non-stop Frontier): 600 USD per person, return incl. seat reservation and bags = 2400 USD in total (find cheap flights to Punta Cana here*)
• Private airport transfer for a family from Punta Cana Airport to the resort: 70 USD return (35 USD per vehicle per way; book recommendable airport transfers here*)
• Affordable but recommendable Family All-Inclusive Resort for 1 week in Punta Cana: 2480 USD in total (current sample price for 1 week at Grand Bavaro Princess in August) (see the best affordable resorts in Punta Cana here)
• 1 affordable half-day excursion (for example a dune buggy adventure): 160 USD in total
• 1 full-day family excursion in Punta Cana (for example Scape Park Punta Cana): 520 USD in total
• Tips, souvenirs and other expenses: 350 USD

TOTAL cost for 1 week in Punta Cana for a family of 4 incl. flights: 5980 USD (approx. 1495 USD per person)

How much does it cost to go to Punta Cana (in a luxury resort)?

 In our last scenario, we’re checking how much it costs to go to Punta Cana for a couple from New York on a last-minute trip (next week). For comparison reasons, I am also adjusting this example to a one-week vacation in Punta Cana.

• Flights from New York to Punta Cana (for example JetBlue): 800 USD per person, return incl. carry-on and bags = 1600 USD in total (find cheap flights to Punta Cana here*)
• Private luxury airport transfer for a couple from Punta Cana Airport to the resort: 140 USD return (70 USD per vehicle per way; book luxury airport transfers here*)
• Luxury All-Inclusive Resort for 1 week in Punta Cana: 3924 USD in total (current sample price for 1 week at Hard Rock Punta Cana in July)
• 1 day at the spa: 250 USD per person (500 USD in total)
• 1 full-day excursion in Punta Cana in a small group (for example the best-rated Isla Saona small group excursion*): 165 USD per person (330 USD in total)
• 1 excursion to splurge, for example, day-trip by plane from Punta Cana to Bahía de las Águilas: 490 USD per person (980 USD in total) (check out this special luxury excursion here*)
• Tips, souvenirs and other expenses: 300 USD

TOTAL cost for 1 week in Punta Cana for a family incl. flights: 7.774 USD (3.887 USD per person)

 As you can see, it absolutely depends on your vacation preferences, your holiday set-up and your desired budget to determine if the Dominican Republic and Punta Cana are cheap or expensive. If you need help organizing your holiday around your budget, feel free to check out my travel coaching services.

Cost of living in the Dominican Republic

 With a few exceptions, most of the prices quoted above for Punta Cana also apply to the rest of the Dominican Republic. This being said, the examples mentioned, which were all updated for 2023, give you a pretty good overview of the cost of living in the Dominican Republic.

 In case you want to stay longer in Punta Cana or the Dominican Republic, especially Santo Domingo, some further measures might help you determine how much you’re going to spend.

Apartment prices in the Dominican Republic

• Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Santo Domingo, Colonial Zone: 500 USD and up
• Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Santo Domingo (Naco, Piantini, Gazcue, etc.): 650 USD and up
• Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Santo Domingo (low-key neighborhood – not recommended): 200 USD and up
• Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Punta Cana in a remote area (car needed), short-term rent (1-3 months): 500 USD and up
• Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Punta Cana in a remote area (car needed), long-term rent (6+ months): 350 USD and up
• Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Punta Cana in a centric area (max. 10-20 minutes walking to the beach), short-term rent (1-3 months): 850 USD and up
• Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in Punta Cana in a centric area (max. 10-20 minutes walking to the beach), long-term rent (6+ months): 700 USD and up

 Add 20% per additional bedroom if you’re looking for 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. Particularly in Punta Cana, most of the apartments have 2 or 3 bedrooms, which is why 1-bedroom apartments are relatively expensive and 2-bedroom apartments are relatively cheap in Punta Cana.

Further utilities in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic

If no specification is made, the prices for the Dominican Republic in general and Punta Cana specifically are the same for the following section.

• Mobile Internet: 140 DOP (approx. 2.70 USD) for 10 GB (valid for 5 days) (you don’t want to get landline internet in the Dominican Republic when not living here for at least 1-2 years)
• Drinking Water: 50-100 DOP (approx. 1-2 USD) for a 5-gallon container delivered to your house
• Cooking Gas: 100 DOP (approx. 2 USD) per liter
• Prices for electricity in Punta Cana: 18 DOP (approx. 0.35 USD) per kWh
• Prices for electricity in Santo Domingo: 7 DOP (approx. 0.15 USD) per kWh

 In general, for Westerners, the cost of living in the Dominican Republic is pretty affordable, even though not cheap. However, considering the low salaries of the Dominicans, life is very expensive for them, particularly in Punta Cana, where most things (except for supermarkets) are marked with even higher prices than in the rest of the Dominican Republic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are you looking for further information to determine your travel budget? Check out the following articles:
– How to save money when booking an all-inclusive vacation … (if you are planning to stay at a resort)
– How to travel Punta Cana on a budget … (if you are planning to stay at an Airbnb)

 Do you have any further questions? What other prices in Punta Cana you are interested in? Have you observed other prices? Let me know in the comments.