DrewNY said:
I am arriving in Punta Cana And departing in Santo Domingo so the second option you mentioned will work well. This is my first time in the Dominican Republic and I wasnt aware of this site before I booked So I split my vacation up so I can see all that attracted me.
You have been very helpful Dolores Many thanks.
I'm leaving April 14th and returning April 24th ..Ill post on my return.
!!
Good news! Just checked with National in Bavaro (B?varo/Punta Cana Regional Office. Carr. Bavaro Km 5. Tel: (809) 688-5069) and they tell me that they offer the free service of pick up for clients that will be renting with them. So they can pick you up at your hotel so you don't have to pay for that taxi. Then you rent with them and make your way to Bayahibe. May I recommend that you leave very early in the morning, so you can make a stopover (instead of taking a slight right, you continue straight in south direction along the main road) at the house of Ponce de Leon in San Rafael de Yuma, near Boca de Yuma. From there head to Boca de Yuma and have lunch at one of the restaurants that front the sea. Fresh fish is best there, catch of the day.
Next, head out to Bayahibe. When there, in addition to your hotel, remember to check out Bayahibe town (and have dinner one evening there) and also the public beach strip between Hacienda Iberostar and Viva Wyndham Dominicus -- this is a Blue Flag beach. Blue Flag is a European certification that means best quality of the environment, but also integration with the community. To be a Blue Flag beach you have to be a public beach.
Then take time to visit Altos de Chavon, La Marina de Casa de Campo, Casa de Campo's many golf courses (maybe the people of Casa de Campo give a site inspection tour). Next Cueva de las Maravillas (you need at least two hours for that visit, it is worth it).
Then the different strips in Juan Dolio & Guayacanes -- the ambience of El Ensue?o Restaurant at night, Aura and its lounges right in the sea, Caribbean Sun for body boarding (go in the morning) and lunch on the beach, Deli Swiss in Guayacanes, lots of recommendations.
To help you navigate your driving, may I suggest you pack a small compass so you can make sure you are going east or south, whichever may be the correct direction. When driving, with the exception of when you go through Higuey town, and later if you are heading to the Ponce de Leon house or Boca de Yuma when you will need to go South, you will want to be driving East all the time.
And yes, please post a trip report when you get back.