flying into Santo Domingo or Santiago?

enterico

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Aug 19, 2015
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Hey all,

We've started planning a trip to DR on December and would like to reserve our air tickets.

we're a couple on our early 30s, will be heading DR for a 9 days trip.

What we think of doing:
2-3 days Jarabacoa
1-2 days Santo Domingo
5 days in Samana.

Flying out of Samana on day 10 with JetBlue.

Should we start with Jarabacoa or Santo Domingo?

I thought of doing:
Flying into Santiago, drive to Jarabacoa -> Santo Domingo -> Samana.

is this good or better do Santo Domingo -> Jarabacoa -> Samana?

Do you think its doable adding another place for 2 days and do Samana only 3? or this is pushing a bit?

Thanks for the help.
 

RV429

Bronze
Apr 3, 2011
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Honestly I would drop Santo Domingo but that's just me. Big City.
Fly into STI and then do Jarabacoa and Samana. You cannot spend enough time in the Samana Peninsula, it is awesome. Go to LT and LG. Some of the best beaches anywhere.
If you do do SD then fly SDQ to SD to Jarabacoa to Samana.
 

enterico

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Aug 19, 2015
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Thanks for the speedy reply, I'll think of dropping SD from the trip, just thought I should go to see a bit although a big city.

if I do go STI to Jarabacoa, I'll take the night flight and arrive around 05:00 to STI. is it possible to travel by public means that time or only Taxi/Driver?

How much it should cost for a taxi from STI to Jarabacoa?
 

AlterEgo

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Jan 9, 2009
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I think a young couple would enjoy spending a day or two in the Colonial Zone at the beginning of their trip, lots of reasonable hotels too. Easy to catch a bus to Jarabacoa from there, and then on to Samana and the beach for a relaxing end to the trip.

Have fun!
 

RV429

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Apr 3, 2011
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Yes, you'll be able to get a guagua early. Probably have to take 2-3 with connecting in La Vega. Someone who knows more may chime in. Taxi is probably about $100 or so from the Airport Taxi Mafia.
 

ju10prd

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Nov 19, 2014
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With a nine day break and your idea of a 3 stop itinerary you will be spending a lot of time travelling especially if you are going to use public transport. Taxis are not cheap in DR and getting from Jarabacoa to Samana is nearly 4 hours by car the direct route via San Francisco de Macoris and longer via Santo Domingo.

I would be inclined to give Santo Domingo a miss on a first visit. It takes time to know it and the obvious place to stay and visit is Zona Colonial but it might be a let down after visiting the Samana peninsula.

I am biased having lived in the Samana peninsula for over 18 months, but it has everything from superb and different beaches and rugged coastline, islands, rolling hills and forests and is the gateway to the spectacular Parque Haitises via Sanchez, Samana or a two day trip across the bay to Sabana de la Mar and staying at Eco Hotel Paraiso Cano Hondo.

Incidentally if your trip were a month or so later you would be able to add whale watching to things to do.

I guess Jarabacoa is in your plans so you can be in the mountains and perhaps for activities.

Well Samana has that too albeit the hills reach up to only 700m but they are backdrop to some wonderful beaches.

You will have heard of Las Terrenas, Las Galleras, Santa Barbara de Samana, Playa Rincon and Cayo Levantado but I doubt you will have heard of Playa La Valle with it's zip line and the Dominican Tree House Village experience:

http://dominicantreehousevillage.com/

A well planned trip 9 day trip to Samana peninsula is frankly not enough time to enjoy this wonderful part of DR.
 

ROLLOUT

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Jan 30, 2012
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I would also suggest you drop SDQ from your itinerary. Not only is it much more expensive, but the lines are horrendous.
Flew in the other weekend, and I swear, there had to be upwards of 500+ people waiting to get through immigration.
Told the gf, her azz will be taking the autobus to PUJ next time.
 

william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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Arrive STI is your best bet fro Jarabacoa...... whether you do SD or not

Flying out of AZS means you should finish on the peninsula.

SD is worth a look.... big city, oldest church in the new world...

You could fiddle along the north coast.... POP/SOS/CAB, on to rio san juan.... thru nagua to LT, et al

That'll eat up your time..........
Playa Grande.... la Entrada........
 

enterico

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Aug 19, 2015
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Thank you all for your replies.

ju10prd - Thanks for the info, I'll look into that. I do lean towards getting the most of Samana as it sounds great and has diversity.

if I do go only to Samana, isn't it better to fly into SD? as I can take Caribe tours direct bus to Samana. (flying into Samana is not an option unfortunately due to dates)

Is it better to rent a car when in Samana? this will enable more flexibility on our day trips. any recommendation on renting one?

william webster - unfortunately I do agree with the other replies, I would like to minimize my travel time between different places and make the most of a fewer places.
 

ju10prd

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Nov 19, 2014
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Thank you all for your replies.

ju10prd - Thanks for the info, I'll look into that. I do lean towards getting the most of Samana as it sounds great and has diversity.

if I do go only to Samana, isn't it better to fly into SD? as I can take Caribe tours direct bus to Samana. (flying into Samana is not an option unfortunately due to dates)

Is it better to rent a car when in Samana? this will enable more flexibility on our day trips. any recommendation on renting one?

william webster - unfortunately I do agree with the other replies, I would like to minimize my travel time between different places and make the most of a fewer places.

There is a Carib Tours bus station at the entrance to the Samana highway which is 10 minutes from the airport at Las Americas....a short taxi ride.

You could then head to Samana town and start your stay there or head toward the end of the peninsula and stay at Las Galleras or even go to the Tree House which is 20 minutes from the Carib bus terminus in Samana.

Driving in the Samana peninsula is easy...hard to get lost and very quiet except in the small town of Las Terrenas or on the main entrance to Samana. A car would allow you much more flexibility to visit all that the area has to offer.

Worth planning out an itinerary in Samana Peninsula and see how useful a car would be. For example a few days in Las Galleras and you would not really need a car.....can get to Rincon and other beach esby boat charter. At the Tree house it is not needed....you could hire a quad here. to get to Playa La Valle. For a trip to Parque Haitises no car needed if you stay and go from Samana town. In Las Terrenas you could get by without using taxi including to Limon waterfall.
 

bigbird

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May 1, 2005
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A lot would have to do with what the two of you enjoy.

Jarabacoa - in the mountains, horseback riding, white water rafting, waterfalls - laid back easy going town

Santo Domingo - big city, high rise hotels, casinos, live shows, fine dining, zona colonial

Samana - easy going picturesque beaches.

Most say go to the beach towns but I believe NOT everyone who comes to la republica dominicana wants to spend their entire vacation looking at blue water and palm trees.
 

ju10prd

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A lot would have to do with what the two of you enjoy.

Jarabacoa - in the mountains, horseback riding, white water rafting, waterfalls - laid back easy going town

Santo Domingo - big city, high rise hotels, casinos, live shows, fine dining, zona colonial

Samana - easy going picturesque beaches.

Most say go to the beach towns but I believe NOT everyone who comes to la republica dominicana wants to spend their entire vacation looking at blue water and palm trees.

Exactly why Samana Peninsula and Barahona/Pedernales are the best locations to holiday in this country for those who want wide diversity on one area and are discerning in their choices.

Beaches, mountains, islands, rivers, forests and rugged shorelines with local culture at hand. Sheer beauty all easily at once reach without much travel. You miss city life that's all.

Everywhere else is a compromise requiring a second distant destination to find that which is missing in location one.

(Samana Peninsula is not a beach destination by a long shot. Las Terrenas is not Samana Province).