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Looking to travel to Haiti or the Dominican Republic on a Budget?
Whether money is tight or you’re simply out for an adventure, there’s no better time than now to travel to the Dominican Republic and Haiti on a budget.
With the easing of restrictions in La Hispaniola, small businesses are beginning to re-open and flourish, as tourists and locals are out-and-about enjoying a sense of new-found freedom, with bars and local restaurants offering competitive prices.
Knowing the Currencies
One major key to planning your ultimate vacation on a budget, is getting a good grasp of the currencies being used and how far your dollar will go.
The national currency of Haiti is the Haitian Gourde (HTG) which is currently exchanged at HTG 95.83 to the U.S. Dollar.
The national currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso (DOP), is currently exchanging at DOP 56.95 to the U.S. Dollar.
Hitting the Road
Your next plan of action should be mapping out your desired destinations and the most cost-effective way to get there.
Keep in mind that transportation prices in Haiti and the Dominican Republic may vary, but not by much.
In Haiti
The average cost for Public Transportation like the airbrushed graffiti Tap-Tap buses, or a Haitian Moto-Taxi is around $0.50 - $0.70 (HTG 48.23 - 67.52) depending on your stop, a great way to experience local life.
If you’ve got some heavy luggage to carry, a local Taxi might cost you around $4.00 -$5.00 (HTG 385.86 - 482.33).
Always make sure to confirm prices before getting on board to avoid any confusion and break up your large bills into smaller notes and coins.
In Dominican Republic
Here the Carritos (little cars) or “Guaguas” (Gwa-Gwas) have an average cost of $0.52 - $1.31 (DOP 30.00 - 40.00) per person, where they make stops across the city and into neighboring towns, and you can expect about the same amount for a Dominican Moto-Taxi, although they tend to charge a little extra.
Cross Country
You can easily travel from the Dominican Republic to Haiti and back for only $24.96 - $33.28 (DOP 1,425 – 1,900) per person each way with Caribe Tours, a trusted private Transport Bus.
Great Food. Great Prices.
Now that you’ve got a good idea about the costs of getting around, it’s time to stop and enjoy the delicious meals along the way at a more than fair price.
In the Dominican Republic
The cost of eating out Dominican style is relatively cheap as a breakfast of Mangu, eggs, and sausages will cost you $1.75 - $2.62 (DOP 100 – 150), and a typical rice, meat, beans, and salad lunch will be around $2.62 - $4.37 (DOP 150 –250) in local eateries.
To eat in a good restaurant, you’re looking at around $8.75 - $12.26 (DOP 500 – 700).
In Haiti
Breakfast in Haiti usually goes for around $5.00 - $10.00 (HTG 482.33 - 964.67), and for lunch you can savor the national Haitian dish “Griot” for $15.00 - $20.00 (HTG 1,447 – 1,929.34) in local restaurants.
You can expect anywhere from $30.00 to $50.00 (HTG 2,894.01 - 4,823.36) on a succulent dinner for 2 in the city.
Aa Irresistible Deal
While being on the road and visiting different places is great, a lot of travelers also prefer a laid-back vacation close to the beach and local bars, so having an affordable “home-base” would be ideal.
Furnished Apartment Rentals
In Haiti
Very modestly furnished guestrooms in Cap-Haitien, Port-au-Prince, or Jacmel can go around $35 - $75 (HTG 3,376.35 - 4,823.36) for 2 people comfortably.
To stay in a nice Hotel in Port-au-Prince for example, you’ll be paying around $100 - $150 (HTG 9,646.73 - 14.470.09)
In the Dominican Republic
Here you’ll find the prices to be a bit more flexible, as a fully furnished apartment for a week can cost between $80.00 - $100.00 (DOP 4,567.06 - 5,708.82), and that’s for up to 5 people.
When traveling with a large family though, it would be a good Idea to check out the many special all-inclusive deals where your breakfast, lunch, and dinner are covered.