Santiago to Sosua

trebex · #1 05-12-2006, 11:47 PM

Hi,

I'm landing in Santiago at 9PM on Thursday. What's the best way to get to Sosua from the airport?

Is it wise to rent a car at the airport and drive north (during the day)? Is driving reasonably safe in D.R.?

Rocky · #2 05-13-2006, 03:35 AM

Many a thread has been written on this subject and the opinions vary widely.
There is no doubt that driving here is not for the faint of heart and that you must have a special attitude, to live through the experience, but if you do understand how it all works, it's actually not a problem.
Practice Gran Turismo on your Play Station, where traffic lights are but mere suggestions, and expect anything, including a cow falling from the sky, and you wil be alright.
Should you decide to rent, let us know and we'll give you the directions from STI.

Me_again · #3 05-13-2006, 09:05 AM

. . . and (as on TT) do you really need to drive?

Hillbilly · #4 05-13-2006, 09:18 AM

I sent you a Private Message (PM). I suggest you read this thread:fatal accident

HB

Celt202 · #5 05-13-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

Many a thread has been written on this subject and the opinions vary widely.
There is no doubt that driving here is not for the faint of heart and that you must have a special attitude, to live through the experience, but if you do understand how it all works, it's actually not a problem.
Practice Gran Turismo on your Play Station, where traffic lights are but mere suggestions, and expect anything, including a cow falling from the sky, and you wil be alright.
Should you decide to rent, let us know and we'll give you the directions from STI.

Not to nit pick but wouldn't it be more relevant to the DR if it were a mangy horse attached to a wagon full of limes?

Sholly24 · #6 05-13-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebex

Hi,

I'm landing in Santiago at 9PM on Thursday. What's the best way to get to Sosua from the airport?

Is it wise to rent a car at the airport and drive north (during the day)? Is driving reasonably safe in D.R.?

If I were in your shoes, I will get a nice little cabana and stay the night in Santiago and take the Caribe bus to Sosua the next day.

If your plane arrives on time at 9.00PM, it would be close to 10.00PM before you leave the airport and unless you have to be in Sosua that night, it might not be worth it unless you have someone picking you up.

Driving in the DR is an entire different issue entirely and then driving at night in the DR is an entirely different issue from driving in the afternoon in the DR. But apart from the obvious risks, you don't want to get lost and go into the wrong neighborhood.

trebex · #7 05-13-2006, 11:39 PM

Thanks. I guess driving is out then. I am thinking of changing to an earlier flight arriving at 11AM instead of 9PM, which will be much better.

If you had your choice, would it be Sosua or Rio San Juan. LP says Sosua is great. Fodor's says its an overrun tourist trap. Which is right?

gary short · #8 05-14-2006, 12:02 AM

Stay in Sosua one day and if it isn't your cup of tea, on to Rio San Juan. Which is a whole lot more quiet.

Sholly24 · #9 05-14-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebex

Thanks. I guess driving is out then. I am thinking of changing to an earlier flight arriving at 11AM instead of 9PM, which will be much better.

If you had your choice, would it be Sosua or Rio San Juan. LP says Sosua is great. Fodor's says its an overrun tourist trap. Which is right?

Everything depends on what are the things that interest you. In Sosua, you have more options with nice restaurants and the night clubs/discos although atimes it gets some not too nice rep because of the visible presence of 'available women' in the bars/clubs but it is a visibility that you can decide to ignore and enjoy your vacation and if you stay off the main drag, it will be less visible. Also there is Puerto Plata and Cabarete which are nearby towns that you can explore for varieties. I have never stayed in Rio San Juan except visit on day trips. It is a nice sleepy town but there does not seem to be much happening there per nightlife although it seems that people go there for some ecotours or something like that.

Like someone suggested, you can stay in Sosua for a few days take a visit to Rio San Juan to take a look and decide if it is an option that you might prefer.

eas · #10 05-15-2006, 04:28 AM

Just take Caribe Tours, don't drive.