Oviedo?

[mne01]

I already asked this question in travel. Sorry if you have to read it twice. Anyway, I am interested in going to Oviedo, in the region of Pedernales. First I am wondering how to get there, from Santo Domingo. Secondly, I am looking for some non expensive accomodation in or close to Oviedo. If there are no options in the village itself, other nearby places seem to include (according to my map) Enriquillo, Paraiso and Bahía de las Águilas. Also according to my map there are a couple of beaches in this southernmost part of the county, including "Playa Blanca", and "Playa de Mosquea". These names don't seem to yield any result in a search of the forum archives however. Does anyone know this tip of the country?

Sincerely,

mne01

[Porfio_Rubirosa]

Getting to Oviedo is easy enough. It's about 4-5 hours from the Capital. Take the San Cristobal expressway from the western end of 27th of February Avenue and continue on through Bani and Azua until you get to Barahona. At Barahona, stay on the road into town until you reach the waterfront and turn right. Stay on the same road and it turns into the coastal highway, which takes you to Oviedo.

As for hotels, there is the Hotel Paraiso in Paraiso on the budget side. I haven't stayed there, but I've heard it's not too bad. Going upscale some, there is the new Hotel Ponte Vedra, the Hotel El Quemaito (really a Swiss-operated guest house) and the Casa Bonita (all European plan with pool, beach), all located between Barahona and San Rafael. At Bahoruco is the all-inclusive, relatively upscale, Bahoruco Beach Resort, of the Barcelo hotel chain.

No trip to the Southwest coast should happen without visiting San Rafael and Los Patos beaches - between Bahoruco and Enriquillo.

What's your interest in Oviedo anyway? Naturalist?

[mne01]

Thank you Porfio_Rubirosa. I forgot however to mention that I don't have access to a car. I was thinking about public transportation.

And thank you for info on hotels. Maybe I'll have to stay in one of those places, although they're not that close to Oviedo. Cause when it comes to the hotels and beaches mentioned, we still haven't reached Pedernales even. South of El Paraiso - are there actually no options in this region?

As for the motives, I am a student working on a project and going there has to do with the study I am carrying out (if you want to know more I'll email you).

Regards,

mne

[Porfio_Rubirosa]

Sorry, never been below Oviedo, though I understand it's quite undeveloped.

As for public transport, you have two options. One would be to find the autobus from the Capital to Perdenales, and jump out at Oviedo. I'm not sure from where the Pedernales bus leaves, but it is probably near the intersection of 27th of February and Duarte - where you'd most of the other buses to the Southwest.

Another option is to take Caribe Tours to Barahona. Once in Barahona, you would need to take a taxi or concho to the parada for guaguas leaving for Pedernales or Oviedo.

The coast from Barahona to Enriquillo is among the most beautiful and unspoiled in the Caribbean. Enjoy the view.

[mne01]

Ok Thank you! So there'll be no problem finding a guagua from Barahona to Oviedo in your opinion?

Best,

mne

[mne01]

Btw, do you know how much a night at the Hotel Paraiso is appr.?

mne

[Porfio_Rubirosa]

The guaguas leave when they are filled-up with passengers, though your neighbor might be a live chicken in a burlap bag. Service is spotty to Oviedo and points south (you might have to wait an hour or two depending on the time of day) and runs from about 7 am to 6pm. There is NOTHING after 6 pm, except hitch hiking (if you're a gringo, someone will pick you up).

Service to Enriquillo (after Paraiso but before Oviedo on the highway) is more frequent. If you want to go to Paraiso first, you probably won't have to wait very long at the parada.

I have never stayed at the Hotel Paraiso, but read that it charges about RD$350/night.

I trust you speak Spanish.