Hi, I'm visitng DR in June and I need to get from La Romana to Samana/Las Terranas. What's the best way for me to go?
First assumption: You have chosen to enter DR at La Romana International Airport for one reason or another. Doubt if you are visiting Casa de Campo....you would not be asking such a question if so.
Second assumption: You have read Samana and Las Terrenas are perhaps the most lovely parts of DR to visit.
Suggestion: Open up a map of DR and realize it is quite a big country.
If it is Las Terrenas you want to visit try and fly to El Catey or failing that to SDQ. It costs 200US by taxi from SDQ to Las Terrenas based upon the union fixed tariffs so from La Romana expect near double because it is a further 1.5 hours drive.
By bus, from airport to La Romana is about 10km and you will probably land up with a taxi fare of say 20US. In La Romana you can get an autobus to the entrance to the Samana highway for about 250rd then a guagua to Sanchez for 200rd and then a small guagua to Las Terrenas for less than 100rd after a walk to the junction. Moto conchos in LT will expect about 100rd to get you to you accommodation.
Should you choose to hire a car.......make sure you cover all the bases on insurance as a priority......including cover to give you hotel accommodation in lieu of jail should you be detained following an accident whilst investigations are carried out ...... and understand the fuel costs are quite high here......cUS4 per gallon and there are road tolls too. From La Romana you incur a 100rd toll en route to SDO and on the Samana highway to Las Terrenas there are 4 toll stations and the total cost is just short of 1000rd.
From El Catey to LT negotiate hard for a taxi albeit union tariffs are posted, they will charge you at least 40us (road toll is 12us)
Hope that helps