Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
26 of the 29 items cost less in the Dominican Republic.
Bottled, convenience store
Costa Rica: ≈ $0.77 – $1.50 ₡350 – ₡700 Dominican Republic: ≈ $0.50 – $0.84 RD$30 – RD$50 Cafe or street vendor
Costa Rica: ≈ $2.20 – $5.50 ₡1,000 – ₡2,500 Dominican Republic: ≈ $0.84 – $2.50 RD$50 – RD$150 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Costa Rica: ≈ $3.10 – $6.60 ₡1,400 – ₡3,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $1.70 – $4.20 RD$100 – RD$250 Tourist area, main course
Costa Rica: ≈ $13 – $33 ₡6,000 – ₡15,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $6 – $13 RD$350 – RD$800 Local market or stand
Costa Rica: ≈ $3.30 – $6.60 ₡1,500 – ₡3,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $2.50 – $6.70 RD$150 – RD$400 Mixed drink, bar
Costa Rica: ≈ $10 – $15 ₡4,500 – ₡7,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $4 – $10 RD$250 – RD$600 House wine, restaurant
Costa Rica: ≈ $26 – $44 ₡12,000 – ₡20,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $10 – $17 RD$600 – RD$1,000 Cafe or street stall
Costa Rica: ≈ $0.82 – $2.50 ₡375 – ₡1,125 Dominican Republic: ≈ $1.30 – $2.50 RD$75 – RD$150 Standard route
Costa Rica: ≈ $39 – $61 ₡18,000 – ₡28,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $25 – $45 RD$1,500 – RD$2,700 Metered or typical fare
Costa Rica: ≈ $1.50 – $2.20 ₡700 – ₡1,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $3.40 – $6.70 RD$200 – RD$400 Single ride
Costa Rica: ≈ $0.33 – $1.10 ₡150 – ₡500 Dominican Republic: ≈ $0.25 – $0.59 RD$15 – RD$35 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Costa Rica: ≈ $11 – $28 ₡5,000 – ₡13,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $5 – $12 RD$300 – RD$700 Tourist shop
Costa Rica: ≈ $3.30 – $8.80 ₡1,500 – ₡4,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $1.30 – $4.20 RD$80 – RD$250 Tourist shop
Costa Rica: ≈ $13 – $33 ₡6,000 – ₡15,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $4 – $10 RD$250 – RD$600 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Costa Rica: ≈ $33 – $155 ₡15,000 – ₡70,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $5 – $25 RD$300 – RD$1,500 Data package
Costa Rica: ≈ $2 – $33 ₡1,000 – ₡15,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $2.50 – $10 RD$150 – RD$600 Pharmacy or shop
Costa Rica: ≈ $15 – $37 ₡7,000 – ₡17,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $13 – $37 RD$800 – RD$2,200 Supermarket
Costa Rica: ≈ $0.99 – $2.60 ₡450 – ₡1,200 Dominican Republic: ≈ $0.50 – $0.92 RD$30 – RD$55 Pack of 20
Costa Rica: ≈ $4.40 – $6.60 ₡2,000 – ₡3,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $3.40 – $5.90 RD$200 – RD$350 Pack of 20 tablets
Costa Rica: ≈ $1.80 – $3.30 ₡800 – ₡1,500 Dominican Republic: ≈ $0.59 – $1.80 RD$35 – RD$106 Spray or lotion
Costa Rica: ≈ $5.50 – $9.90 ₡2,500 – ₡4,500 Dominican Republic: ≈ $1.80 – $3.60 RD$106 – RD$212 Local barbershop
Costa Rica: ≈ $9 – $22 ₡4,000 – ₡10,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $5 – $17 RD$300 – RD$1,000 Laundry service
Costa Rica: ≈ $2.20 – $6.60 ₡1,000 – ₡3,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $1 – $2.50 RD$60 – RD$150 Standard full-body massage
Costa Rica: ≈ $44 – $88 ₡20,000 – ₡40,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $25 – $50 RD$1,500 – RD$3,000 Basic cut, salon
Costa Rica: ≈ $18 – $33 ₡8,000 – ₡15,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $6 – $12 RD$353 – RD$706 Entrance ticket
Costa Rica: ≈ $9 – $22 ₡4,000 – ₡10,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $1.70 – $5 RD$100 – RD$300 Organized excursion
Costa Rica: ≈ $50 – $175 ₡23,000 – ₡81,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $30 – $50 RD$1,800 – RD$3,000 Organized excursion 6-8h
Costa Rica: ≈ $50 – $150 ₡23,000 – ₡68,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $60 – $91 RD$3,600 – RD$5,400 Local cuisine cooking class
Costa Rica: ≈ $49 – $79 ₡22,500 – ₡36,000 Dominican Republic: ≈ $54 – $94 RD$3,200 – RD$5,600 Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair price in Costa Rica and 2.9× in the Dominican Republic, close to even.
Costa Rica 23rd highest of 60
Dominican Republic 20th highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Costa Rica Costa Rica adds a mandatory 10% service charge to all restaurant bills by law, plus 13% sales tax, so your total adds up quickly. An additional cash tip is not expected but is warmly welcomed for exceptional service.
Dominican Republic Dominican restaurant bills automatically add a 10 percent service charge, on top of 18 percent ITBIS sales tax, so read the bill before you pay. That service charge is not the server's tip: it is customary to leave an extra 10 percent for good service. At all inclusive resorts, 1 to 2 USD per service for bellboys, bartenders and housekeeping is normal and much appreciated.
Yes. In the Dominican Republic you pay about 47% less than in Costa Rica at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Costa Rica 175, Dominican Republic 93 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 26 of the 29 items cost less in the Dominican Republic.
A week is cheaper in the Dominican Republic: about $180 at fair prices, against $290 in Costa Rica. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $1,030 in Costa Rica and $595 in the Dominican Republic.
In the Dominican Republic: food and drinks cost about 41% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $13 – $33 in Costa Rica and $6 – $13 in the Dominican Republic, street food $3.30 – $6.60 and $2.50 – $6.70.
Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair price in Costa Rica and 2.9× in the Dominican Republic, close to even. The biggest gaps in Costa Rica: local handcraft (5.6×), fridge magnet (5.1×), and men's haircut (5.0×). The biggest gaps in the Dominican Republic: fridge magnet (7.3×), private transfer (5.5×), and printed T-shirt (4.9×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Costa Rica vs Dominican Republic, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/costa-rica-vs-dominican-republic/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
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