Welcome back!
While many things have changed and gotten more expensive some are not that different it seems.
The exchange rate for USD is about 35 or more to the peso.
In sosua most hotels like you reference are now in the $40-50 range but for me the food is the same. ther are cheaper and much more expensive options as well.
Breakfast $3-4
Lunch $4-10...could easily be more but I LIKE rice and beans!
seriously you can get a nice fish with rice, beans and salad for $7-10 easily.
Dinner varies from $6-15...or more
Of course there are much more expensive options...and cheaper too. Typically I would spend less then $25 a day, eating 3 meals, and very often less.
Drinks of any kind are optional and extra.
Bus travel is still very reasonable as well as public taxis and guaguas.
Gas and electricity have increased as well as food in the grocery stores but that's about the same as anywhere.
It has been a few years since I was last in the DR, and it seemed at the time that the prices of things were fairly reasonable if one lives modestly. I remember paying around $25-$30 per day for a clean middle scale hotel in Sosua and Barahona. And probably $10-$20 per day for food. I traveled by bus between destinations, which also seemed reasonable. And lastly, the exchange rate was between 35-45 pesos per U.S. dollar (during the Hippolito regime).
So, how do prices compare now?
Thanks
Ron