Bus from SDQ Airport to Punta Cana

acook · #1 08-29-2006, 12:16 AM

Hello,

I am flying into SDQ (Los Americanos) but need to get to my final destination of Punta Cana. Where/How can I catch the bus at SDQ airport to get there? I keep hearing and reading about either Caribe Tours or Metro Express, but need more logistical information. Thank you.

A. Cook

mpowerag · #2 08-29-2006, 04:37 PM

There are a couple of ways to do this:
1) Take a cab from the airport to Parque Enriquillo and ask somebody for the bus stop for Expresso Bavaro (250 pesos per person, one way). Their schedule is I believe 7 am, 10 am, 2 pm , 4 pm. They fill up fast. If you are not able to get one of those you can catch a bus from Parque Enriquillo to Higuey (160 pesos per person, one way) and then catch a bus from Higuey to Punta Cana (70 pesos). Its easy...dont let changing buses scare you...I had to go this route since I missed the 10:00 am Expresso Bavaro just last week. Just ask people around...you will find somebody speaking broken english if spanish is not ur thing.
2) Catch a cab from the airport to the Highway underpass where you will find this buses on their way to punta cana and higuey. The Underpass I am referring to is like 5 mins from the airport...I dont know exactly how to explain this but the cab driver should know. A lotta locals catch buses at this underspass on the highway from Santo Domingo to Puntacana. You can catch a bus to Higuey here and from Higuey catch a bus to Puntacana. (I suggest option 1 cuz you dont want to be in the middle of the highway with your lugguage). Most of these buses pass by the hotels so you can tell them where to drop you off. Good luck.
From what I have read Metro and Caribe Tours does not go to Puntacana but when I was there I did see buses from both these companies.

sweetdbt · #3 08-29-2006, 04:40 PM

Both Metro and Caribe also have charter bus service, which is probably what you saw.

Dolores · #4 08-29-2006, 06:27 PM

Instead of Parque Enriquillo stop, we recommend people pick up the bus at the Expreso Bavaro stop at Calle Juan Sanchez Ramirez No. 31 (near Supermercado Nacional of the Maximo Gomez). Tel 809 682-9670. That is run by the Sitrabapu union. The bus will take you to the Parada Sitrabapu off of Friusa. From there you can take another of the buses to the stop nearest your hotel. Same rate of about RD$250. Departures from Santo Domingo at 7 am, 10 am, 2 pm and 4 pm. It is about a 4 hour trip.

We recommend spending an evening in Santo Domingo and then catching the bus the next day. For hotel options, see the Santo Domingo section of our Hotel Directory at http://dr1.com/directories/index.shtml#Hotels_Resorts

Metro nor Caribe Tours have scheduled service to Bavaro. The local union (Sitrabapu) does not allow competition and the authorities have been complacent in allowing them to maintain their monopoly.

acook · #5 08-30-2006, 12:00 AM

Thank you very much for the helpful information! This is most appreciated.

DavidZ · #6 01-05-2007, 12:00 PM

Thanks for the info...am I correct in noticing that the departure times for SD -> PC are the same as PC -> SD?

Tripitaka · #7 02-06-2007, 01:12 AM

Excellent info on here -thanks muchly.

A question for Dolores on the bus - what is " Calle Juan Sanchez Ramirez No. 31 " - is it a building or landmark of some kind ?
Also, what currencys can we pay in for the bus - we will most likely have USD or Euros.

ASH

Dolores · #8 02-06-2007, 08:51 AM

That is an address that you would give to your taxi driver. It is a short distance from Maximo Gomez but is a one way street, east-west, so to get there you need to go around a block. You will need pesos.

vegasdiva · #9 05-15-2007, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the excellent information here! Just wanted to know how much I can expect a cab fare to be from STQ to "the underpass" or to the Expreso Bavaro stop.

I want to get from the airport in STQ to the main bus stop in Higuey in as few hours as possible - but without alot of cost. I land at the airport about 10am.

Any help is appreciated,
LD

Rick Snyder · #10 05-17-2007, 12:53 AM

I do not know the present rate for a taxi from the airport to the main road but the road is about ½ to ¾ of a mile from the airport. Be aware that the price for that short distance will more then likely be outrageous. Someone with a motorcycle (motorconcho) around there would probably take you for about 20 to30 pesos if you were able to carry your luggage while mounted on the back of the bike.

From the Las Americas airport in Santo Domingo the main highway is about ½ to ¾ of a mile from the airport (North of the airport) and runs West to East. As you are facing the highway from the airport Santo Domingo is West, (left), and Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, San Pedro, Romana, Higuey etc. are to the EAST, ( right).

When you come to the highway the bus stop going East is under the overpass and you will usually see people waiting there to catch a bus.

All buses will have in there windshield, above their windshield or on the front of their bus their destination. They do not all stop at the stops as indicated as some buses are tour, express or full. When you see your destination on the bus just hold your hand up with your index finger pointed up and if they are picking up passengers they will stop for you. Each bus has an individual that hangs at the door and he is called the ‘cobrador’. It is his duty to collect the fares from the passengers and he usually does this when the bus is not in and area where stops are made. Because of this it might be 10 or 15 minutes after you mount the bus that he approaches you for the fare. Then again if there is not another stop for a mile or two then he might come to you straight away for the fare. If you are not sure of the fare you can ask how much of the cobrador and they usually will tell you the truth but there are those that after determining you are a foreigner may jack up the price because of your lack of knowledge. A good idea is to ask someone at the bus stop, before you mount a bus, how much is the fare to so-and-so. Once the fare is determined try to have that amount readily available and give that amount to the cobrador. They will take foreign money but the exchange rate will be well in their favor. Because of that it is a good idea to change some money into pesos at the airport where the exchange rate will be better then on a bus.

Hope this helps.

Rick