Driving Time-SDQ to Rio San Juan

emddvm · #1 05-12-2005, 03:02 PM

I am planning my second trip to the DR in a couple of months. This is my first post to this board although I have been reading the forum for well over one year. My question is how long is the drive from SDQ airport to Rio San Juan? I am talking for a professional Dominican driver, not myself. From what I have been able to gather it looks like maybe four hours or a little better. Is the scenery enjoyable for someone that has not made the trip previously?
Thanks.
Miike

Fiesta Mama · #2 05-12-2005, 03:12 PM

I have done this drive, although I cannot remember the amount of time it took me so I will let someone else answer that part of your question. As to the scenery - it was absolutely beautiful. I believe there might be a few ways but I drove through the mountains from Santo Domingo to Santiago and then from there to Puerto Plata. There are two routes from Santiago to Puerto Plata. The more scenic route goes through Camu and is more off the beaten path and I would ask your driver to take that route. You will enjoy the trip immensely, especially since you can sit and enjoy the scenery while someone else does the driving.

planner · #3 05-12-2005, 03:13 PM

From Santo Domingo in average traffic during the day to Puerto Plata will take about 3.5 to 4 hours allowing for a bathroom pit stop. The road to Rio San Juan from Puerto Plata is not all that great in spots and will most likely take 1.5 hours more.

Scenic - it is stunning in places, less in others but rarely is it boring. There is always something to see and be amazed by.....

emddvm · #4 05-12-2005, 03:38 PM

Thank you all for the info and I think we will very much enjoy the drive. One other question. Do you have to go through Puerto Plata to get to Rio San Juan? I have done that drive and like you mentioned it was not that interesting. The maps I have seen don't give enough detail about roads to determine the route but I am sure the driver will know the quickest way.
Mike

planner · #5 05-12-2005, 04:07 PM

There are two routes, one through puerto plata is faster, more scenic is carretera touristic, or the twisty road as it is sometimes called. YOu get this road out of Santiago but it will add 30 to 40 minutes in good weather to your trip. In really bad weather it can be impassable! Literally areas of the road wash out.

SKY · #6 05-12-2005, 07:50 PM

You can take the mountain road to Sabaneta from Moca. No.21. It is a good road and will save a lot of time. You need to turn at a about the 15 KM mark before Santiago. There is an incomplete overpass there, and a sign to Moca. Make a right turn there. If you get lost, ask for directions to Sabaneta. When you get to Sabaneta make a right and you will be in Rio S.Juan in 30 to 40 minutes.

Peter & Alex · #7 05-13-2005, 09:53 AM

SDQ Zona Colonial to Pro Cab in Cabarete, via Moca and Sabaneta, regularly done in 3 hours. Just depends on the traffic in SDQ?
So 3 hours to sabaneta plus another 30 minutes to Rio San Juan seems feasible.

DianaC · #8 05-15-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emddvm

Thank you all for the info and I think we will very much enjoy the drive. One other question. Do you have to go through Puerto Plata to get to Rio San Juan? I have done that drive and like you mentioned it was not that interesting. The maps I have seen don't give enough detail about roads to determine the route but I am sure the driver will know the quickest way.
Mike

As previous notes have indicated, you do not have to go through POP when travelling from Sto.Dom. to Rio San Juan. Both Caribe Tours and a small bus company from Rio San Juan do the trip a couple of times per day. I can't remember the other company's name, but I can get it from my husband (who is from Rio San Juan) when he gets home from work. The trip takes 3.5 to 4 hours and does not pass through Santiago. Instead, I vaguely remember going through San Francisco with both companies. PM me if you want more detail, by then my husband should be home.