In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Dominican Republic - any experiences?
I spent three weeks in the Dominican Republic and my costs averaged $50 per day. Local food stalls served filling meals for $5-6, while restaurant dinners in Santo Domingo were $15-20. Guagua buses were under $2, but taxis quickly added $8-10 per ride. Tips were usually 10%. Some days were under $40, while nights out in beach towns spiked higher. Overall, $50-55 daily is safe for meals, taxis, and tips. The DR can be affordable, but tourist areas will always cost more.
Meals: $5-7 local, $12-20 restaurants. Transport: $1 buses, $7-10 taxis. Tips: 10%. Safe daily budget: $45-55 for meals, transport, and tips. Resorts are much higher, $100+ daily just for food and drinks. For a month, $1,500 covers basics in towns or cities, but tourist zones will require more. The DR is flexible - cheap if you go local, expensive if you stick to resorts.
I spent around $60 daily in the DR. Meals in casual restaurants were $10-12, and dinners in tourist areas like Punta Cana were $20-25. Taxis averaged $7-8, while guaguas were much cheaper but less convenient. Tips were 10%. At this budget, I could enjoy proper sit-down meals, beachside drinks, and still move around comfortably. Activities like boat trips or waterfalls added extra, but $60 daily covered the basics well.
The Dominican Republic is affordable outside resorts. Street food like empanadas costs $1, and meals at comedores are $5-7. Local guagua buses between towns are $1-3, though taxis in cities are $5-10. Tipping is 10%. A backpacker can live on $30-35 per day eating local and riding buses. Resorts and tourist restaurants will blow that budget quickly. If you stick to Santo Domingo or smaller towns, it’s a cheap long-term stay compared to other Caribbean countries.