Closest good beach to Santo Domingo

[nlove88]

Hello,

I am traveling to the Dominican Republic in November and we are staying at two hotels in Santiago and Santo Domingo. While in Santo Domingo, I will have about a day of free time and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good and close beaches? How much would a taxi be? Jetski rental is also a plus.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by nlove88

I am traveling to the Dominican Republic in November and we are staying at two hotels in Santiago and Santo Domingo. While in Santo Domingo, I will have about a day of free time and am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good and close beaches? How much would a taxi be? Jetski rental is also a plus.

There are no beaches in Santo Domingo. The nearest beach would be Boca Chica, which is about 30-40 minutes from Santo Domingo. I don't believe they rent Jet Skis in BC.

[nlove88]

How much is a taxi ride from downtown Santo Domingo to Boca Chica? Also, is it easy to get a taxi back from Boca Chica?

[helpmann]

Originally Posted by nlove88

How much is a taxi ride from downtown Santo Domingo to Boca Chica? Also, is it easy to get a taxi back from Boca Chica?

It's about 900 pesos from downtown Santo Domingo to Boca Chica by taxi. They do rent jet skis in Boca Chica as well as paddle and motor boats. You can grab a cab back from Boca Chica on Duarte near the Don Juan Beach Resort or on the opposite end (east) of the beach on Caracol near the Hamaca Hilton. A cab back from Boca Chica will most likely cost you more.


-Helpmann

[Victor Laszlo]

US$ 60+ R/T seems a bit pricey to spend a day at the beach. Unless you're fabulously well-to-do, you might want to do a search on gua-guas, which run between Santo Domingo and Boca Chica at a fraction of the cost.

A somewhat related question. On the North coast, I found that buying up all the seats for a Caro Publico was an economical, uncrowded way to travel between POP, Sosua and Cabarete. Are there any that run between SD and BC?

[nlove88]

Well, I guess I could grab a guagua to and from Boca Chica. My only set back in my experiance with "local transportation" In Thailand, if any of you are firmilar with TukTuks (three wheeled motor bikes with an open aired cabin in the back) http://www.thailandguru.com/transport-tuk-tuk.jpg I was forced to bribe the driver and physically jump out of it while in motion because he was trying to take me somewhere I didn't want to go. Anyway, do most people here feel guaguas are safe? What is it like?

[qgrande]

Originally Posted by nlove88

Well, I guess I could grab a guagua to and from Boca Chica. My only set back in my experiance with "local transportation" In Thailand, if any of you are firmilar with TukTuks (three wheeled motor bikes with an open aired cabin in the back) http://www.thailandguru.com/transport-tuk-tuk.jpg I was forced to bribe the driver and physically jump out of it while in motion because he was trying to take me somewhere I didn't want to go. Anyway, do most people here feel guaguas are safe? What is it like?

They're battered 9-person vans with a lot more than 9 people inside. They follow a set route and you can hop on or off at any point, like a bus without bus stops. I wouldn't consider them particularly unsafe.

[Dragonfly32837]

Originally Posted by qgrande

They're battered 9-person vans with a lot more than 9 people inside. They follow a set route and you can hop on or off at any point, like a bus without bus stops. I wouldn't consider them particularly unsafe.

They have bigger guaguas that are safe. I wouldn't feel safe in a 9 person guagua but they do have big ones.

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by qgrande

I wouldn't consider them particularly unsafe.

I agree except for the occasional pickpocketers. However, the guagua's are very uncomfortable. I would take a cab.

If you are trying to save money and your plans are somewhat flexible, you may want to consider re-arranging your trip. Assuming you're flying into SDQ, you could spend your first night BC (which is closer to the airport than Santo Domingo) or Juan Dolio. Then head over to Santo Domingo. That way you'd save one cab fare.

One warning, avoid going to BC on Sunday. The beach is very crowded and the traffic to (in the morning) and from (in the evening) the beach is horrendous.

[rafael]

Boca Chica is the closest beach to santo domingo. You can get a bus to boca for like 30 pesos or so. Not the most comfortable mode of trasnportation but way cheaper than a taxi.

http://www.dr-tourist.tv/pages/bocachica.html

That page has some videos shot in Boca Chica. Note if you want to go when it is crowded with more of a "party" atmosphere go on saturday or sunday. If you prefer a more quiet day at the beach, go during the week.

If you have a laptop with you, stop by Playa Vista as they now have WIFI access right on the beach!