Discover money-saving tips and travel to the Dominican Republic like a pro. Have a blast leveraging the power of eSIM solutions, low-cost eateries, and destinations.
You’ve planned your trip to Santo Domingo for months and have even checked your pre-travel checklist, but wait a minute. Are you sure you’ll spend on internet connectivity, explore the country’s rich culture, and treat yourself to gifts without busting your budget?
Expenses can get out of hand while travelling abroad. For instance, the need to stay connected with friends and family on social media can push you to use the roaming data services, which are extremely expensive. Also, where you eat or visit can increase your expenses exponentially.
As you plan your trip, it’s important to be intentional about your itinerary to stay within your budget. You can save on your travel expenses without compromising the quality of your trip. Keep reading to find out how.
Saving on your trip to the Dominican Republic starts with searching for travel deals. But how do you pick the best deal out of hundreds of offers available online?
Here are infallible tips to help out.
• Consider off-peak deals - Did you know you can save more than 30% on transport and accommodation costs if you travel to the Dominican Republic during the off-peak season? Usually, this is the rainy season between August and November.
The region can experience mild hurricanes and high humidity, but there are still sunny days when you can enjoy the beautiful beaches. It’s what you will trade off for cheaper rates.
• Shop for multiple offers - Don’t fall for the first deal you find online; compare several offers, and choose the deal that gives you the best travel experience within your budget.
• Redeem frequent-flyer loyalty points - If you fly frequently, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your airline. You can redeem your earned points for cheaper flights and hotel accommodation.
• Book flights early - Airlines usually price their flights depending on demand, thus early bookings are cheaper than last-minute ones.
• Consider bundled travel - It’s common for holiday planners to offer bundled services where you pay for flights, airport transfers, and car hire services as a package. Such packages are often cheaper than paying for each service separately.
Data charges can be extremely high when you travel abroad and use roaming services from your mobile service provider. Luckily, you can reduce such costs to manageable levels by using a travel eSIM for Dominican Republic.
While roaming charges can be as high as $20 per MB, the unlimited eSIM data charges can cost $7.90/ per day. You can reduce this cost significantly if you purchase a plan for several days.
For instance, a 14-day plan will cost you $4.35 per day, while a 30-day plan will be $3.13 per day. You may not get such affordable rates if you use roaming services.
You will need to invest in a mobile device that is eSIM compatible if you are to enjoy this service. The beauty of eSIM services is that you can pay for your plan in advance and activate it when you reach your destination.
This arrangement saves you time and the inconvenience you might go through if you opt to purchase a local SIM. Moreover, you might have to buy another mobile phone that you can use on the local networks. You can avoid such costs by using an eSIM solution.
You won’t lose your money if you cancel your trip. The best eSIM service providers, such as Holafly, allow you to apply for a refund. Additionally, they offer a loyalty program that earns you coins, which you can redeem for eSIMs on your subsequent travels.
Another trick to spend less on your Dominican Republic trip is to engage in budget-friendly activities. For example, you can visit some of the best beaches, such as Playa Bavaro and Playa Macao beach, for free if you access them through the public access points.
Here, you can relax on the sandy beach and swim in the ocean on a budget, compared to accessing the beach through the resorts in the area. You also get to interact with the locals and taste their culture.
Did you know the oldest church in the Americas is in Santo Domingo? Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación is its name, and you can visit and admire this architectural marvel that has existed for more than 450 years for free.
Discover the Dominican culture at the Zona Colonial avenues, where you can shop, dine among the locals, and enjoy the preserved historical buildings. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the first European planned city.
Explore the Park of the Three Eyes at affordable rates. For a budget of about $50 per person, you can explore the lakes and caves in the park with the help of a tour guide.
Looking for outdoor fun activities? Consider visiting the Jaracoba waterfalls, such as Salto Jimenoa Uno and Salto Jimenoa Dos. These have no entrance fees; it is advisable to hire a tour guide, especially if it’s your first time here.
One of the things that could affect the cost of your trip to the Dominican Republic is what and where you eat. Meals at high-end hotels can cost as much as $120. However, if you eat at the local restaurants, you can get meals as low as $30.
You don’t have to search far and wide to find local cuisine on a budget. Street foods such as street burgers, Yaroa, fried fish, and empanadas can be fun to try out as you engage the locals and learn more about their food.
Another option is to check out local eateries for a wide selection of Caribbean delicacies such as Sancocho, Mangu, Mofongo, and La Bandera. Trying these meals at these local joints gives you a unique experience you won’t get at the high-end hotels.
The Dominican Republic is a beautiful destination where you can visit and unwind all year round. You can save tons of money if you embrace cost-saving measures such as travelling off-peak season, booking your flights early, and buying an eSIM to keep your data costs low.
Consider embracing local delicacies and visiting sites that are free. Embracing these tips doesn’t affect the quality of your visit but allows you to connect with the locals and enjoy their culture.
