6 Nights, 7 Days in the Dominican Republic for Under $500: My Points-Fueled Caribbean Escape

Introduction

A Caribbean vacation usually comes with a big price tag. But what if I told you I pulled off 6 nights and 7 days in the Dominican Republic for under $500 out of pocket?

Thanks to smart planning, travel points, and a few underrated perks, I spent a week between La Romana and Punta Cana, staying at Hilton and Hyatt resorts, with excursions, a rental car, and plenty of cocktails on the beach for less than most people spend on one night in a resort.

Here’s the exact breakdown, plus tips on how you can do the same.

Flights: Southwest Points + Taxes/Fees

I used Southwest Rapid Rewards points to book my roundtrip flight. The only cost? $135 in taxes and fees which is standard for an international flight. Plus, having two Southwest credit cards gave me free upgraded boardings and complimentary Wi-Fi, which made the travel experience smoother and more comfortable.

Hotels: Hilton & Hyatt on Points

• 2 Nights in La Romana at the Hilton: Booked entirely on Hilton points.

  • Bonus: Thanks to Hilton Gold status, I received free breakfast for two and a $50 resort credit, which brought my final spend for food and drinks (including dinner for 2 plus and an appetizer another night) to just $38.

• 4 Nights in Punta Cana at Hyatt Dreams Onyx: This incredible all-inclusive was booked using Hyatt points transferred from my Chase Sapphire Preferred account — 1:1 transfer made this simple and high value (cash value was $2600).

Rental Car, other transportation, & Activities

• Rental car for two days: $100 (great for exploring beyond the resorts).

• Excursion: A full-day island trip with food and drinks provided: $85.

• National park & cave entry: Just $5 and well worth it.

Extras: Tolls, Tips, Parking

• Airport parking: $55 (two free days of rewards included).

• Tolls and tips during the trip: $75.

Total Cost= $493

La Romana

The Hilton La Romana offered a comfortable stay with beautiful ocean-view rooms overlooking Catalina Island in the distance. The stunning views and lush grounds made for a peaceful retreat. I spent my days relaxing by the pool, exploring a nearby national park with an intriguing cave system, and taking an excursion to the island—enjoying the perfect balance of nature and relaxation.

Punta Cana

Hyatt Dreams Onyx Punta Cana is an all-inclusive resort that truly delivered. Every meal, drink, and poolside snack was included, along with entertainment for four full days. Plus, we had full access to the neighboring Breathless resort, which expanded our dining and activity options.

We enjoyed free snorkeling right off the beach in calm waters and had a blast boogie boarding in the waves—a fun, cost-free way to enjoy the Caribbean sea. Although paddleboarding was available, we couldn’t take part due to the red flag conditions.

How You Can Do It Too

1. Use Travel Rewards Strategically

• Chase transfer portal: one of the best for travel transfers, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a top card for maximizing those benefits. Hyatt provides great redemption value for all-inclusives.

• Hilton Honors Points + Gold Status (via Hilton Surpass Card): Often overlooked, but Gold gets you free breakfast and resort credits, even on points stays.

• Southwest Rapid Rewards (via Southwest priority card): Taxes are the only cost, and they fly to the Caribbean!

2. Stack Perks & Status

Even mid-tier status can give you perks like free breakfast, late checkout, and on-site credits. Those add up fast and will easily offset the annual fee on the card.

3. Don’t Ignore the “Small” Costs

Things like tolls, tips, airport parking, exchange rate fees, and foreign transaction charges can sneak up on your budget. Plan ahead and account for them in your total trip cost.

Final Thoughts

This trip reminded me that travel doesn’t have to be expensive but need to have the right tools and be proactive with planning.

If you’re sitting on unused points or curious about how to travel smarter, this is your sign. With points from a few key programs and a bit of prep, you can have your own Caribbean escape for under $500 too.

Ready to Start Earning Points for Your Next Trip?

If you’re inspired to plan your own budget-friendly getaway, the best place to start is with the right credit cards. You can check out my Travel credit cards section featuring my top picks for travel rewards, including cards that helped me score this Dominican Republic trip.

Check it out to find the perfect card for your travel goals — plus, you’ll find my exclusive referral links that can earn you bonus points to kickstart your journey!