Have plane tix for two adults, two teenagers from US to Santiago. Arriving 12/26 and departing 1/1.
a) We'd like to go to Samana - but not sure where is best to stay. Mom wants "nice" .. dad wants "rustic" and kids want "Internet available." Sailboats and beach are a plus, but of course we don't need/want a big club med style resort with loud music and drunk Americans. Does anyone have a good suggestion for us? We'd love a small, friendly spot that's reasonably quiet - perhaps with villas? ...
b) I've read a lot here about how Dominicans don't like it when people from the US come down and try to drive there .. then others say it's just fine. Our thought is to rent a car in Santiago and drive to Samana. Then we have some mobility once we get there.
I drove about DR quite a bit ~20 years ago .. while living on a boat in Puerto Plata harbor (we'd escape every so often) and did just fine. I wouldn't pile 30 people in the car like a Publico .. but did ok in general.
So what's the (real) deal with transportation? Are we better off arranging a driver? Paying $$$ for a plane to Samana? (rather not, but .. ) Bus?
Thanks
- Jacob
a) We'd like to go to Samana - but not sure where is best to stay. Mom wants "nice" .. dad wants "rustic" and kids want "Internet available." Sailboats and beach are a plus, but of course we don't need/want a big club med style resort with loud music and drunk Americans. Does anyone have a good suggestion for us? We'd love a small, friendly spot that's reasonably quiet - perhaps with villas? ...
b) I've read a lot here about how Dominicans don't like it when people from the US come down and try to drive there .. then others say it's just fine. Our thought is to rent a car in Santiago and drive to Samana. Then we have some mobility once we get there.
I drove about DR quite a bit ~20 years ago .. while living on a boat in Puerto Plata harbor (we'd escape every so often) and did just fine. I wouldn't pile 30 people in the car like a Publico .. but did ok in general.
So what's the (real) deal with transportation? Are we better off arranging a driver? Paying $$$ for a plane to Samana? (rather not, but .. ) Bus?
Thanks
- Jacob