Sunshine - Page 2

johnsr · #11 02-11-2003, 03:55 AM

It seems the older I get the more difficult it is to appreciate the "white Stuff" and the cold that goes along with it!!
John

Rachael · #12 02-11-2003, 11:12 AM

NYC Girl

We are going to Peurto PLata and staying at thr Riu Bachata. I've visited the DR several times but have never been to Punta Cana.

Damn Yankee

Been snowmobiling since I was old enough to ride and spend many, many weekends at our N.H. cabin riding the trails through western N.H. I do enjoy the winter etc but right about now I've had enough of the white stuff and am waiting for some fun, sun relaxation and pnia colada's.

NYC Girl · #13 02-11-2003, 12:44 PM

I hear ya Rachel! I've had enough of the cold, snowy winter too! March 14th cannot come soon enough.

That's funny I've been to the DR several times and have only been to Punta Cana...guess I need to check out some other areas. How do you like Puerto Plata?

Rachael · #14 02-12-2003, 10:43 AM

NYC Girl

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. I've stayed in Juan Dolio and did not enjoy it very much. To far removed from the Santo Doming area at least 45 minute ride, and not much around other than the resort. While I always travel all inclusive, I love to hit the downtown areas and just get out of the resort. The Puerto Plata area does that for me. I have been there 4 times and never tire of it. There are plenty of businesses in the downtown area as well as local bars and restaurants etc. While my Spanish is limited we have never had trouble finding one of the bartenders etc from the resort to take us out. The drinks and Taxi are cheap enough that in exchange for translating etc and making sure I get back I buy. This has always worked well for me and my friends and we have gotten to visit some very interesting clubs. Like I said it's all in what you look for but the PLaya Dorada complex also gives you options of visiting other hotels casinos and clubs so you are not captive in one AI, even if you are nervous to go downtown. Plus you can walk the beach forever.

Ken · #15 02-12-2003, 02:37 PM

Rachael, I notice you mentioned visiting only Puerto Plata when at Playa Dorada. It is almost as fast to go to Sosua, and then just a little further is Cabarete. You should visit both of them, also. Easily and inexpensively reached by public transportation.

Rachael · #16 02-12-2003, 03:11 PM

Ken,

Both of your suggestions are on my to do list for this trip coming up. Haven't decided how to go about it yet, hired driver for the day, bus or taxi but I am definately planning on hitting those areas. How easy/difficult is the bus system to use? I'll be staying at the Riu Bachata any bus service from that area?

NYC Girl · #17 02-12-2003, 05:40 PM

Rachel -
Puerto Plata sounds nice...thanks for the tips and have a great trip! I however tend to be more of a nervous traveller and never leave my resort. I pretty much just go away to get away from all that (clubs, bar scene - I have plenty of that here at home)...I go away to just veg out on the beach and relax.....but your trips do sound like a lot of fun! I have only travelled to Punta Cana with my boyfriend...so we don't look to hit the clubs just the 2 of us. I guess if I were going with a large group of my girlfriends Puerto Plata would be the place to go...thanks again.

Ken · #18 02-12-2003, 08:42 PM

Rachael, I'm not familiar with Riu Bachata, but have the impression it is not on the Playa Dorada side of Puerto Plata. Correct? If so, you would need to get to the Central Park of Puerto Plata and start from there with public transportation. Ask at the hotel how you get to Puerto Plata. I am sure there is public transportation available. All those Dominican employees don't take taxis.

To get to Sosua and Cabarete from Puerto Plata via public transportation, you have two options: guaguas and publicos (public cars). Guaguas are mostly vans. They leave from the Central Park, make a stop on the outskirts of Puerto Plata to pick up more passengers, then leave for Sosua. After making that pick-up stop, they will probably be full, but will continue to pick up people along the road, squeezing them in. The cost from Puerto Plata to Sosua is RD$10/person. Try to have the correct amount for your party because being a tourist, you aren't likely to get change. The loading point at the park for the guaguas is the corner of Separacion and, I believe, Beller. Tell anyone in the park (except a cab driver) you want the guagua to Sosua and they will point you in the right direction. (I said mostly guaguas because they have started replacing the vans with buses. But they only have a few, so you can't be sure you would get on one of them unless you waited an indefinite period of time.)

The publicos pass by the park on Separacion and then turn at the corner of Beller. They are cars and have a red box on top that says PtoPta-Sosua. Their maximum load is 4 in the back seat and 2 in front with the driver. The price is RD$15/person. You have a couple of good options with these cars. One is to pay for the 6 seats, which is RD$90. Just give the driver RD$100 and indicate you are paying for all the seats. Taking a taxi from the park to Sosua would cost you RD$300. Or if there are only 2, for example, in your party, give the driver RD$60 and pay for the back seat. 4 in the back is crowded, 2 is quite comfortable. When you get to Sosua, they will drop you off on the highway across from the Texaco station. The street that passes along side is a short block and takes you to the main street. When you get ready to return, you can get one of these publicos back to Puerto Plata. Going that direction, they load on same side of the street as the Texaco. Again, buy the car, back seat, or if alone, pay RD$30 for the front seat so that you don't have anyone else but the driver.

If going to Cabarete, the guaguas continue on to Cabarete and further east. Or you can take a publico to Sosua, then switch to the car with the blue box on top that will be loading very close to where the car with the red box dropped you off. All of this is in the vicinity of the Texaco station. You can't miss it. The going rate to Cabarete from Sosua is RD$7/person. When you get to Cabarete, the first town you come to after leaving Sosua, you can get out on the main street. The road through Cabarete is the main street. When you are ready to return, flag down one of the cars with the blue box, take it to the Texaco station in Sosua, switch to the car with the red box on top.

This probably all sounds daunting to you, but it isn't. I really hope you will give it a try. You will save a lot of money, compared to taking taxis, and you will get a little better feeling for life in this country. Be adventuresome, Rachael.

tondra · #19 02-12-2003, 10:18 PM

Thanks, Ken, for the great info on traveling between towns. I "eavesdropped" in on this thread. It will be invaluable to me next week as I hope to venture to Sosua and Cabarate.

Thanks,

Tondra

Rachael · #20 02-13-2003, 10:28 AM

Thanks Ken,

I am traveling this time with a group of six. Your sugeestions sounds like it will be a lot of fun and certainly an adventure. I will do as you suggested and I am sure I will have many amusing memories as a result as I am sure to get on the wrong one at least once, but hey thats what traveling is all about. Muchas Gracias