The fastest bus to LT etc..?

[salla]

Hello from Finland!

We are a group (2 adults, 3 kids ages 17, 9, 9) flying to SDQ in 15.11 and going to Las Terrenas. We plan to take a Caribe Tour bus to LT (Sanchez) and I've read from here that some bus takes only 2hrs. Does anybody know what time it leaves?? Our plane is landing at 12.30pm. How much is taxi from airport to Santo Domingo bus station? Maybe we need two taxis cause we have a lot of luggage.. None of us have driverce license. We also would like to rent an apartment/house from LT but we thought we'll try to find it when we are allready there. Maybe we'll first book a couple of nights from Fata Morgana, any opinions about this accomodation? We try to be budjet travellers.. I guess we'll also need a taxi from Sanchez to LT? Anything else I need to know? Warm thank you for answers (and sorry about my english)!!

[mountainannie]

Originally Posted by salla

Hello from Finland!

We are a group (2 adults, 3 kids ages 17, 9, 9) flying to SDQ in 15.11 and going to Las Terrenas. We plan to take a Caribe Tour bus to LT (Sanchez) and I've read from here that some bus takes only 2hrs. Does anybody know what time it leaves?? Our plane is landing at 12.30pm. How much is taxi from airport to Santo Domingo bus station? Maybe we need two taxis cause we have a lot of luggage.. None of us have driverce license. We also would like to rent an apartment/house from LT but we thought we'll try to find it when we are allready there. Maybe we'll first book a couple of nights from Fata Morgana, any opinions about this accomodation? We try to be budjet travellers.. I guess we'll also need a taxi from Sanchez to LT? Anything else I need to know? Warm thank you for answers (and sorry about my english)!!

Welcome..

You may be able to find a van from the airport which will hold you all.

Buses leave from the Capital to Sanchez at
7:00 8:30 10:00 Am

and
1:30 2:30 4:00 PM

vans meet the Buses in Sanchez .. no worries about that...

Fata Morgan is clean and fine, run by a Dutchwoman who has a son but it is a good long walk or bike ride away from town and the beach. Suggest you try samana.net to line up reservations before you go since there are no little local hotels which are going to be safe for the children

Be prepared that LT is the most expensive part of the country, alas.. although one of the most beautiful...so getting a place where you can cook a bit will really help you stay to your idea of budget.

enjoy and welcome

[RonS]

I agree with Annie. To be safe, book in advance. I suggest either the Alsei or the Colibri. They are both within a stones throw of the beach. The Colibri has apartments with kitchen facilities and room enough for your family. I think that the Alsei is set up the same way. Both have a pool and extremely well kept grounds. There is a top-notch restaurant at the Alsei. You can also make arrangements with either place for a pick up in Sanchez just to be sure that you get the size van you need to accommodate your family and the luggage. The last time I traveled from Sanchez to LT via taxi, about a year and a half ago, it cost me about $30 for one person. It's a beautifully scenic ride and much more comfortable than taking the local bus, the guagua, from Santo Domingo, which I would not recommend with the number in your party and the amount of luggage you probably will have. LT is one of my favorite vacation destinations in the DR with some of the most beautiful beaches either directly in front of your hotel/apartment or within a very short distance. Have a wonderful time!

Annie: Do all of the Caribe Buses going to Sanchez use the new highway?

[Facility]

Originally Posted by salla

I've read from here that some bus takes only 2hrs. Does anybody know what time it leaves?? Our plane is landing at 12.30pm.

The Samana Bus Depot is across the Plaza Lama shopping center at Duarte Ave - their buses indeed take the shortest route (by the new road) but it's closer to 3 hours anyway. The ticket cost is 260 peso per person, no advance sales - the fee is collected inside. The last bus to LT leaves at 15.30 and I would not recommend it: almost always it is very overcrouded (beinfg the last one), especially if you have lots of luggage, you will not be comfortable there.
So in this time of the day and with the luggage, the best choice will be Caribe, indeed.
The problem will be moving from Sanchez to Las Terrenas though.

I would recommend advance booking into a residence though, Alisei and Colibri are nice hotels, but they charge higher than a residence.

[Facility]

Correction - the last bus leaves at 15.00.

[mountainannie]

i do not know about the Caribe buses and the new route.. they were using it for a while and there was a protest from someone... i do not remember... either the guagua drivers.. or someone along the route who was losing money from them not stopping.... or something...

but perhaps you can call--

anyway for these tourists coming in with luggage, the Caribe tours is the only option since the direct guagua is as the other poster said, very crowded and any luggage basically has to fit on your lap..

I usually take that guagua so do not know about Caribe