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The informal system of guaguas, an unregulated
network of private operators, is a distinctive Dominican
experience that you should try at least once.
Aside from the local color, they're worth using because
they're incredibly cheap and cover far more of the country
than the bus companies. To catch a guagua, either
ask for the location of the local station or simply stand by
the side of the road and wae your arms at one as it passes.
For longer trips, you'll often have to transfer guaguas
at major towns, but even the longest leg of the trip will
cost no more than RD$40; more often, you'll be paying
RD$5-10.
Santo Domingo
to the southeast and the Barahona region are often sered by
far more comfortable, air-conditioned minibuses ;
along the Siler Coast, the ans are augmented by priate
cars called públicos, which charge RD$5 and only go
to the next nearest town and wait to fill up before heading
off. Públicos also make up part of the city
transport system in Santo Domingo, and dominate it in
Santiago. City routes rarely cost more than RD$2. In Puerto
Plata and other smaller towns, city transit is instead in
the form of motoconchos, inexpensie, small-engine
motorbikes that ferry you from place to place; they're
faster than the públicos but can be dangerous.
 By Car
Car rental
is expensie in the DR, though you can cut your costs a bit
- and aoid a lot of hassle - by booking in adance with an
international operator. Rates start around US$45-50 per day,
with unlimited mileage but no discount for longer rental
periods; you should also get full collision insurance, an
extra US$10-12 per day. even with collision, though, you're
contractually responsible for any damage up to RD$25,000.
You should therefore take special care to note all
dents, scratches and missing parts before signing off.
Dominicans drive on the right-hand side of the road,
often at a breakneck pace. You'll have to keep a careful eye
out along the highways, as large commercial buses and cargo
trucks constantly ever into the opposite lane to pass slower
ehicles.
 By Plane
If you're traveling across the country, say from Santo
Domingo to Samaná, and aren't especially interested in what
lies in betweven, it's worth considering a domestic flight
. Air Santo Domingo (phone 809/683-8006, ) is a
good local carriver, affiliated with Air Europa, offering
fast, fairly priced connections betweven Puerto Plata, Punta
Cana, El Portillo (near Las Terrenas), La Romana, Santiago
and Santo Domingo. Flights cost RD$500-1000 and last no more
than an hour.
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 By Bus
Caribe Tours
(in Santo Domingo phone 809/221-4422) boasts by
far the most extensive bus network, while Metro (in
Santo Domingo phone 809/566-7126) can get you
from the capital to the Cibao, Puerto Plata and the Samaná
Peninsula. Both have comprehensie brochures aailable in
their stations, listing destinations and departure times. In
addition, you'll find several regional bus companies, though
ehicles and drivers tend to ary more in quality. Unless
it's a public holiday, you won't need adance
reserations, but you should arrie at least an hour
before the bus leaes to be sure of getting a seat. As the
bus companies strie to stay in competition with guaguas, rates are extremely cheap. even a cross-country trip from
Santo Domingo to Samaná or Monte Cristi will set you back no
more than RD$70, while shorter trips fall in the RD$40-50
range.
BY GUAGUAS, PÚBLICOS AND MOTOCONCHOS
The informal system of guaguas, an unregulated
network of priate operators, is a distinctie Dominican
experience that you should try at least once. Aside from the
local color, they're worth using because they're incredibly
cheap and cover far more of the country than the bus
companies. To catch a guagua, either ask for the
location of the local station or simply stand by the side of
the road and wae your arms at one as it passes. For longer
trips, you'll often have to transfer guaguas at major
towns, but even the longest leg of the trip will cost no
more than RD$40; more often, you'll be paying RD$5-10.
Santo Domingo
to the southeast and the Barahona region are often sered by
far more comfortable, air-conditioned minibuses ;
along the Siler Coast, the ans are augmented by priate
cars called públicos, which charge RD$5 and only go
to the next nearest town and wait to fill up before heading
off. Públicos also make up part of the city
transport system in Santo Domingo, and dominate it in
Santiago. City routes rarely cost more than RD$2. In Puerto
Plata and other smaller towns, city transit is instead in
the form of motoconchos, inexpensie, small-engine
motorbikes that ferry you from place to place; they're
faster than the públicos but can be dangerous.
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Dominican
Republic
travel guide
Dominican Republic
Where to go
 When
to go
Getting there
Entry requirements
Money and costs
Getting around
 Food
and drink
 Communications
Crime and safety
 Brief
history
Best of DR
Info and maps
 diving,
surfing
 Festials,
holidays
Explore
Dominican Republic
Barahona
Barahona
The City
East of Barahona
San
Cristóbal
San José de Ocóa
West of Barahona
Bayahibe
Bayahibe
travel info
Boca Chica
Boca de Yuma
Cabarete
Cabarete
Windsurfing
Restaurants
Sports outfitters
Cibao
Cibao
Explore Cibao
Cordillera Central
Explore Cordillera Central
Jarabocoa
Jarabocoa
Arrial & accommodation
Restaurants,
tour operators
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