We tested all transport in the Dominican Republic: buses, taxis, minibuses and a rented car. We give advice and share our impressions.
Exchange rate: 10 Dominican Pesos (DOP) ≈ 14 RUB.
Car rental in the Dominican Republic
Transport in the Dominican Republic is mediocre, so we are at La Romana airport rented a car and left for the Samana Peninsula, in Las Galeras. It is more convenient than taking a transfer bus. Minus - on the way, you often have to unbuckle for toll roads, from 60 to 200 pesos for each section - in total, 1,300 pesos came out in both directions. But you are comfortable and enjoy the views!
Car rental in the Dominican Republic is more expensive than in Europe or Mexico, but cheaper than in Cuba. We rented online at the international rentalcars service - it is cheaper and safer than in the offices on the spot. Our snow-white Kia Rio machine at La Romana airport cost $ 42 per day, but if you book in advance, then there are options for $ 27.
Buses
After returning the car, we drove by bus - from La Romana to Santo Domingo. Even louder buses are found only in Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Dominicans do not yet know what headphones are, so every second person speaks on the speakerphone, listens to music or watches movies on the phone without them. Can you imagine what the hell is?
Buses run mainly between major cities. They are quite comfortable, but you can get stuck in traffic and stand for a long time.
Bus prices from Santo Domingo (in pesos): in La Romana - 190, in Santiago - 400, in Puerto Plata - 400, in Juan Dolio - 250, in Casa de Campo - 500, in Sosua - 235.
Bus from La Romana to Santo Domingo company SICHOEM departs from the station to Avenida Abreu, which is next to the gas station. To get there, you need to take the free SICHOEM bus in Central Park in front of the church. On the way - 1.5 hours. Price - 190 pesos, payment to the conductor on the bus. There is a shop at the station where we bought water and Snickers so as not to starve to death. There is a pizzeria on the territory of the gas station.
In Santo Domingo, the terminus of the bus is Enriquillo park... This is still a criminal and uncomfortable area, although the Colonial Zone is already very close. Therefore, do not delay and quickly sneak into the protected area.
Taxi
Taxi is a separate story. It is expensive, but while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, almost all tourists use it. For example, the average price of a trip to Punta Cana is $ 8-10. A taxi from Santo Domingo (15 km) to Las Americas airport costs as much as $ 30-40. But you can't fool us! We called Uber and paid only $ 12.5.
Taxi drivers do not want to bargain. Payment - in local currency, dollars and euros. Better to give small bills, as drivers usually have no change.
Mototaxi, or motochos - an inexpensive but unsafe mode of transport. A trip around the city costs $ 1-2 (60-100 DOP).
Minibuses
There are also minibuses. They are called conchos, or caro publicos. Travel costs 15-30 DOP, and between cities - 100 DOP. Intercity minibuses are called gua gua.
From La Romana to Bayahibe, we just went to such a gua gua. We paid 100 pesos per person. The people are jam-packed!
