- Thread starter ANITADIAZ
- Start date
Need Detail Driving Directions
I am not certain from airport to the main Highway but then Highway 1 to Highway 5, then on to Puerto Plata.
From Puerto Plata you will have to find your way northwest along the coast to Cofresi where Sun Village is.
I am sure someone will give you better directions!
I have sent a pm to a member who may be able to answer your question
From Puerto Plata you will have to find your way northwest along the coast to Cofresi where Sun Village is.
I am sure someone will give you better directions!
I have sent a pm to a member who may be able to answer your question
I have driven all over that island, and the only place I ever got lost was in Santo Domingo...and it happened twice.....the high way that you need to get on goes through the capitol from the airport( which is actually east of Santo Domingo) the highway divides in the city...but either it isnt clearly marked, or it isnt marked at all.... then it is route 1 all the way to Santiago....once in santiago...another adjustment is needed.... to make your way through that crowded city...
I cant remember right now if the roads are clearly labeled there either....they pick up names once in the city....even though it is the same road..once through the city heading west away a short distance you will come to a traffic semi circle there the signs are good and you will read puerto platta and the route #5 north.....follow that all the way into Puerto platta...
good luck....try your best not to do it at night.....
avoid trying to get through santiago between 4 and 6 pm if possible.....I would imagine the capitol is similar even though you dont have to go downtown at all once on the highway.......
I cant remember right now if the roads are clearly labeled there either....they pick up names once in the city....even though it is the same road..once through the city heading west away a short distance you will come to a traffic semi circle there the signs are good and you will read puerto platta and the route #5 north.....follow that all the way into Puerto platta...
good luck....try your best not to do it at night.....
avoid trying to get through santiago between 4 and 6 pm if possible.....I would imagine the capitol is similar even though you dont have to go downtown at all once on the highway.......
Santiago will be your main problem, the little signs there are, are located in places where you see them only too late and you missed your turn. Its a Dominican thing. Be careful when you ask for directions because most Dominicans do not know how to give directions and tell you want you want to hear. Sorry if I am generalizing but I have experience getting lost in Santiago, it can be frustrating.
Follow signs to Santiago basically the main highway. When you are approaching Santiago a couple miles after the big hotel and hospital under construction on the right side, stay in the right lane because the road will split and THEN it tells you the sign to Puerto Plata, once you are already on the road. Then you basically stay on this road, stay on the elevated section through town, go straight through the roundabout at Ochoa Motors continue on toward Navarete and turn off (this one is marked good) to Puerto Plata. You go on this mountain road for about 45 km or 30 miles and after you pass the RIU hotels in Maimon about 3 or 5 minutes later you will see some signs including a big one for Ocean World, thats the entrance to Cofresi which splits into two - take the left one and Sun Village will be on the right side big hotel you can't miss it. If you end up in Puerto Plata you missed the turn off.
The whole trip should take you about 3.5 hours if you are coming from Las Americas Airport Santo Domingo.
I hope this helps. When you do ask for directions, ask another person right away you will see how funny it is people tell you different way every time you ask.
Follow signs to Santiago basically the main highway. When you are approaching Santiago a couple miles after the big hotel and hospital under construction on the right side, stay in the right lane because the road will split and THEN it tells you the sign to Puerto Plata, once you are already on the road. Then you basically stay on this road, stay on the elevated section through town, go straight through the roundabout at Ochoa Motors continue on toward Navarete and turn off (this one is marked good) to Puerto Plata. You go on this mountain road for about 45 km or 30 miles and after you pass the RIU hotels in Maimon about 3 or 5 minutes later you will see some signs including a big one for Ocean World, thats the entrance to Cofresi which splits into two - take the left one and Sun Village will be on the right side big hotel you can't miss it. If you end up in Puerto Plata you missed the turn off.
The whole trip should take you about 3.5 hours if you are coming from Las Americas Airport Santo Domingo.
I hope this helps. When you do ask for directions, ask another person right away you will see how funny it is people tell you different way every time you ask.
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avoid taking the short-cut through the mountain... its pretty damn spooky and imo DANGEROUS... AT ALL COSTS... avoid it.. people with no visibility tend to go on their insticts on these curvy roads and just don't understand how a friend of mine feels pretty ok with encountering 5 of those no way out episodes in a single trip and used to go to Santiago from Puerto Plata EVERYDAY....
I think its called Duarte on the maps... stick to that road... all the way..
I think its called Duarte on the maps... stick to that road... all the way..
My first recommendation to you would be to ask one of the people that are at the airport picking up people if you can follow them. Then you can just tag behind them and no problem. I don't think it will be difficult to find someone willing to guide you in.
Otherwise, no big deal. Witht he exception of the short drive north to get on to the main highway, you need to drive west at all times to get to the city.
You take the road that leads to the Las Americas Highway. You get on the overpass that will put you on the highway. From there you continue west. Follow the flow of vehicles that in their 95% are headed into the city.
Driving west you will come to two bridges. Stay in the middle and look for the expreso lanes. Those will put you on to the overhead top lanes that take you fast into the city. Look for the Dr. Delgado exit. Do not get off that one. Get off the next one (don't remember the name). Then follow that short street that will put you on Leopoldo Navarro. Take that street north until you get to the stop light. At the stoplight take a left and then the southern side (the northern side will take you to San Martin street), that will take you to John F. Kennedy Avenue. This then becomes Autopista Duarte. Note the Tipico Bonao signs and stop for capuccino -- breakfast or lunch.
Follow Autopista Duarte all the way to Santiago. When you get to Santiago, I would suggest you hire a motoconchista (motorcycle taxi - RD$10 fare should do it) to get you through the city. Also see the recommendations above.
I also recommend that you constantly ask if you are headed in the right direction. People are friendly and will confirm if you have done the right thing.
Also, do not drive at night. If you are arriving too late (figure about four hours -- can be done in three but you should go carefully), overnight in Santo Domingo and head for Puerto Plata the next day.
It's a doable drive.
Otherwise, no big deal. Witht he exception of the short drive north to get on to the main highway, you need to drive west at all times to get to the city.
You take the road that leads to the Las Americas Highway. You get on the overpass that will put you on the highway. From there you continue west. Follow the flow of vehicles that in their 95% are headed into the city.
Driving west you will come to two bridges. Stay in the middle and look for the expreso lanes. Those will put you on to the overhead top lanes that take you fast into the city. Look for the Dr. Delgado exit. Do not get off that one. Get off the next one (don't remember the name). Then follow that short street that will put you on Leopoldo Navarro. Take that street north until you get to the stop light. At the stoplight take a left and then the southern side (the northern side will take you to San Martin street), that will take you to John F. Kennedy Avenue. This then becomes Autopista Duarte. Note the Tipico Bonao signs and stop for capuccino -- breakfast or lunch.
Follow Autopista Duarte all the way to Santiago. When you get to Santiago, I would suggest you hire a motoconchista (motorcycle taxi - RD$10 fare should do it) to get you through the city. Also see the recommendations above.
I also recommend that you constantly ask if you are headed in the right direction. People are friendly and will confirm if you have done the right thing.
Also, do not drive at night. If you are arriving too late (figure about four hours -- can be done in three but you should go carefully), overnight in Santo Domingo and head for Puerto Plata the next day.
It's a doable drive.
FEmale? Never driven here before?
Please, rethink this!
Get a taxi to pick you up! Try Welcome To Paradise Transportation and see what they say.
In peace of mind alone, it is worth the money.
You have to deal with tolls (in Dominican money) twice. Got change?
The trip across Santo Domingo is not THAT bad. It is the t raffic that is bad, and the other drivers.
I can give you extremely detailed instructions if you really, really want them, but please think about getting there by taxi, first....
HB
Please, rethink this!
Get a taxi to pick you up! Try Welcome To Paradise Transportation and see what they say.
In peace of mind alone, it is worth the money.
You have to deal with tolls (in Dominican money) twice. Got change?
The trip across Santo Domingo is not THAT bad. It is the t raffic that is bad, and the other drivers.
I can give you extremely detailed instructions if you really, really want them, but please think about getting there by taxi, first....
HB
With the troubles that went on this past week in 2 separate towns that i knew of, it would be wise not to make this trip driving yourself. One thing that can throw all your best laid plans and tips and directions out the window, ....is a protest on the road you are traveling......what detour would you follow... there will be no detour signs... and the car in front of you may not be heading to the same destination as you and you could follow them into oblivion.......there are no maps for all the outlying roads through that country..... the best maps only give details of the bigger cities.... and they have the large roads shown between them.....
I have made about 16 trips in the last year and a half.. and I have encountered about 4 of these blockages......so the chances are not great, but they can be vacation ruining if they do get encountered....
while the country is full of great people there are enough devious minds looking for easy marks.. to make the trip problematic..
you need to be aware, and wise and stack the odds in your favor for having a great trip. especially since you plan to basically travel from one end to the other of the island
bob
I also need driving direction
Hi Guy?s
I also need driving direction, I'm traveling from a resort outside of Puerto Plata to the Jaragua Hotel & Casino off George Washington Ave in Santo Domingo. I plan on using a 4W SUV for my travels, and could use some tips, pointers, and instruction. I have never driven in the DR before, but I will be traveling with my friend who is Dominicana, but I?m not sure that they know the way. I would like if some one could give me detailed driving direction. I would particularly like information on getting to the Jaragua Hotel when I arrive in Santo Domingo, and where to get gas and where you can take a bathroom break?.. Thanks for the help!!!
Igualmente...
Hi Guy?s
I also need driving direction, I'm traveling from a resort outside of Puerto Plata to the Jaragua Hotel & Casino off George Washington Ave in Santo Domingo. I plan on using a 4W SUV for my travels, and could use some tips, pointers, and instruction. I have never driven in the DR before, but I will be traveling with my friend who is Dominicana, but I?m not sure that they know the way. I would like if some one could give me detailed driving direction. I would particularly like information on getting to the Jaragua Hotel when I arrive in Santo Domingo, and where to get gas and where you can take a bathroom break?.. Thanks for the help!!!
Igualmente...
Hi Guy?s
I also need driving direction, I'm traveling from a resort outside of Puerto Plata to the Jaragua Hotel & Casino off George Washington Ave in Santo Domingo. I plan on using a 4W SUV for my travels, and could use some tips, pointers, and instruction. I have never driven in the DR before, but I will be traveling with my friend who is Dominicana, but I?m not sure that they know the way. I would like if some one could give me detailed driving direction. I would particularly like information on getting to the Jaragua Hotel when I arrive in Santo Domingo, and where to get gas and where you can take a bathroom break?.. Thanks for the help!!!
Igualmente...
If you have the dominican with you ask at the gas stations if you are on the right path to the capitol along the major roads( what you will only be taking anyway)....you will be fine as long as it is daylight....
giving you directions like they do in america might not help, becuase who knows if the signs are up......most places they are...but you only need one wrong turn before you are heading the wrong way.
On your first leg just keep asking for the way to Santiago on route 5 out of puerto platta.... then once close to santiago or in santiago...ask for the way to avenue salahada estrella( or some spelling similar).....if you get on that...and dont make any turns off it( it is possible and you wotn know it) you should pop out onto Route 1( also known as the Autopista duarte) again spelling might not be exact.... that road will take you all the way into santo Domingo
from there you would have to ask the hotel the road they are on. Maybe someone else can pick it up and take you through the capitol...which will be a trip of who knows how many wrong turns... good luck in the capitol!!!!!!!!!!!
that road system is a mess
bob
take the BUS!!
Anita, please take Caribe Tours to the airport in Puerto Plata and rent a car there. Once you get up here, there is relatively little issue with driving. The Caribe tours bus is nice and comfortable (with earplugs and a jacket). And Budget Rent a car at the POP airport is great.
I got lost in Santiago today and really hope that you take my advice. It's true- I speak spanish and got headed in a couple of different directions to get back north on the road, they just can't seem to give directions in Santiago and the signage is really, really poor...and I do not recommend driving at night on those roads. AT ALL!!!!!!!! I've driven through the mountains of North Carolina, Missouri and Colorado, but at least they have decent roads there with railings. Not here. Please take the bus up to the North Coast and then rent a car.
Anita, please take Caribe Tours to the airport in Puerto Plata and rent a car there. Once you get up here, there is relatively little issue with driving. The Caribe tours bus is nice and comfortable (with earplugs and a jacket). And Budget Rent a car at the POP airport is great.
I got lost in Santiago today and really hope that you take my advice. It's true- I speak spanish and got headed in a couple of different directions to get back north on the road, they just can't seem to give directions in Santiago and the signage is really, really poor...and I do not recommend driving at night on those roads. AT ALL!!!!!!!! I've driven through the mountains of North Carolina, Missouri and Colorado, but at least they have decent roads there with railings. Not here. Please take the bus up to the North Coast and then rent a car.