Which route to SD - POP or PUJ?

[qgrande]

I completely agree with Hillbilly. I've done trips to/from both airports to the capital by bus, and from POP to SD is very easy. No need to speak Spanish really, and less hassle than getting a car and driver for the long trip.
When leaving POP airport tell one of the many taxi drivers you want to go to 'Metro Bus' or 'Caribe Tours' in Puerto Plata, I think the official fare is US$ 30 (?). At the bus station buy tickets for Santo Domingo, should be something like RD$ 240. Metro and Caribe Tours buses are comfortable with airco (Metro not as chilly as Caribe Tours). If you worry about your kids getting bored at the bus, there is a stop with a long enough break about halfway in Santiago, where you can get of the bus and buy some snacks. When you arrive in Santo Domingo, tell one of the many taxi drivers the name of your hotel, you shouldnt pay more than RD$ 150.

[laurapasinifan]

well there are other possible issues...both for and against each route.

for two years i have heard of more crime on the roads east of Santo Domingo than I have in the whole rest of the country.

The route from Puerto Plata does have to go through santiago.....but since you will stay on route 1 the road repairs dont cause much delay....but the possiblity exists that other road issues could arise in the mountains on route 5 from santiago to Puerto Plata. that stretch has mudslides often...I dont think that is an issues with the flat terrain of the SD to Punta cana trip.

there are some long stretches of highway from SD to PC that dont have facilities to take care of vehicle problems....like long stretches with no gas stations or repair shops or store to stop and buy food or drinks...at least thats what i remember about my trip from SD to Higuey.

bob

[ent]

Thanks all very much for the advice. We've booked for POP with a lot more confidence (turns out our TA didn't know there was a tunnel in the mountains to POP). Keeping a good supply of food for the trip is a good idea.
cheers to all

[Dolores]

Punta Cana-Santo Domingo route definitely has its roads in better shape. The PUJ route is mostly smooth driving with the exception of a small area coming out of Veron from the airport that may have a pothole here and there. The POP Airport to Navarette portion of the North-South route needs repairs, and getting out of POP is very time-consuming because of major repairs going on.

But if you get two extra days to enjoy, then it is a no brainer.

As Hillbilly says, depending on your arrival time, take the airport taxi to the Metro station in Puerto Plata Metro. Luggage loading is easy and the bus makes a stopover in Santiago. No problem with kids.

Caribe Tours is another option. They have a terminal in Sosua and Puerto Plata, but for waiting with kids, the Metro terminal in Puerto Plata is better, so make it your first choice.

These express buses leave from Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo from 6 am to 8:15 pm

Get there half an hour before bus departure, unless it is a peak travel time, such as a holiday. If you are traveling on Sunday, get there an hour earlier.
DR1 - Travel - Holidays 2007

Metro Bus (Tel. 809 586-6062) Calle Beller corner Calle 16 de Agosto has six departures from Puerto Plata. Departures are at 6, 7, 9, 11 am and 2, 4 and 6:30 pm. Tickets are RD$275.

Caribe Tours (Tel 809 576-0790). Buses from Puerto Plata at 6 am, 6:45, 7:15, 8:15, 9:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15 pm, 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:15, 5:15, 6:15, 7:15, 8:15 pm.

[ent]

We won't be there until the last week of next March (we had to book well in advance thanks to the cruise) so I think that's outside of the peak tourist season. We may stay a couple of days on the north coast (preferably in town or at least not in an AI) before going to SD so we won't head to the express busses straight away. I'm sure the times for the busses will be different by then but it gives a good idea of what to expect. The road work may be different then too but I suppose those are the chances you take when booking in adavnce!

[Dolores]

Check out the Puerto Plata hotels directory.

DR1 - Directories

In Cabarete: Velero Beach Resort, Natura Cabanas, Hotel Villa Taina, Cabarete Palm Beach Condos

In Playa Dorada: Casa Colonial Beach and Spa

In Sosua:
Casa Cayena Sosua

[Kateinyork]

I would definitely recommend Puerto Plata having tried both routes! From Puerto Plata its a very short taxi ride to the bus station - should cost about 500 pesos and then a bus journey to SD - about 3 1/2 hours and air conditioned buses from the metro bus station, very very easy (I think it was only about 275 pesos for the bus journey)!

I had a nightmare from Punta Cana airport getting to SD and ended up very expensive in a very old taxi and the road was full of potholes.

Let us know how you get on - I'm sure you'll find it really easy.

Good luck x

Also you stop for about 10 mins at Santiago where you can get off and get refreshments very cheaply.