Urgent - pls help!

[burzu]

Hi all,

I would very much appreciate your help in the following matter:

We are landing at SDQ at 1:45PM and need to get to Las Galeras. The last Caribe Tours bus from Santo Domingo leaves at 4:00PM. How to get from the airport to the Caribe Tours terminal? Is there a chance to make it on time? Will we be able to get a guagua/taxi in Samana to Las Galeras when we arrive there?

I would like to avoid sleeping over in Santo D. Maybe renting a car is a better option?

cheers,
Michal

[jalencastro]

hey Michal, you will be pressed for time as I am assuming you are travelling in a group and or with family. By the time you are done clearing customs and getting your luggage you will be running short on time to perhaps get a cab/taxi driver to take you to the capital and to the Caribe Tours terminal. You will be cutting it very close but you could pull it off. On the other hand, renting a car is an excellent choice as the new highway to Samana is open and very close to the airport itself. Look up other posts/threads here about the new highway and people that have made the trip before and if you feel adventurous enough I say rent a car and drive it. It will be quite an experience, beautiful scenic drive through the countryside, and you should get to where you need to be in less than 2 hours. My vote is rental car [since I love driving around the island], but the choice is yours.

[burzu]

Thanks for that! Appreciate the reply.

I know about the highway but renting a car is at least USD 300/week if you want to be covered by insurance (loss, damage liaiblity). Also, are you sure I will make 240km in less than 2 hours (to Las Galeras)?

[ben jammin]

you would save so much time and hassle with the rental car. unless really tight on budget that is the choice i would make especially since the way is not difficult. enjoy your vacation

[Chirimoya]

Samana city to Las Galeras will add about another 30 mins to the driving time.

[Hillbilly]

True, but I just talked to one of the engineers that built that highway and he said that the time/cost savings is huge...From the airport to nagua is just 1 1/2 hours! Vs 3 hrs the old way.
There is no reason for anyone coming from the south to ever return to the old road (except for the 700 pesos in tolls back and forth)

I'd vote for the rental and driving. Faster, you get there inthe daylight...

HB

[jalencastro]

i see more votes for rental car! go for it, it's worth the scenic route!
I agree with HB too, the sooner you get there the better to beat sunset! good luck!

[burzu]

Thanks everyone.

Just one more question: do CT buses take the highway, too?

Mike

[ggparts]

- no need to worry about the car all week (security as well as daily rental of possibly unused car)
- no risk of a big bill/hassle when returning rental car (if anything went wrong could even effect departure)
- take Caribe Tours bus back saves money? maybe
Just another point of view?
Gerry

[ben jammin]

it is my understanding that CT does not take the new road. at least that is what i was told when making my arrangements 2 months ago. maybe someone with definite knowledge will confirm. i was also told a cab into town was $50 or so. if you're not pushed for time, on a budget crunch or are hesitant about driving you could save a few $$ but i would think leaving SD at 4pm you would want to stay overnight either in SD or in route. and if trying to do it in one day you would have to arrange or find a taxi to LG. my wife and i just recently returned from the area and we hired a shuttle from a company and were whisked out of the airport like rock stars but for the money we spent($190 each way) we could have rented a car. i will always rent one from now on. if you are interested in the shuttle pm me for the phone number... good luck ben