Spirit flight arrives STI at 3am (Sosua bound)

[macmasher]

Before I begin...
- yes, I searched first for a similar thread.
- I took this flight to save cash, and know there are better flight options

I read what looks like a decent tip (given the inconvenience I seem willing to endure) in another forum.

Here's what was suggested...
- arrive STI at 3am (uggggh)
- take taxi to from STI to Grand Almirante, hang out in the casino there (open 24 hours) for a couple hours
- the poster in other forum claims that the Grand Almirante is within relatively easy walking distance to both Metro and Caribe Tours stations in Los Jardines (unsure about this, but know I pack light)
- walk to bus station around 5:30am, get ticket to Sosua

I seek confirmation that...
- the casino IS open 24/7
- the casino IS within walking distance of Caribe and/or Metro
- and (perhaps) that accepting a ridiculously inconvenient flight to save a few bucks means I'm an adventurous budget traveler who views saving a few bucks as more "sport" than anything else.

Final notes - I'm traveling solo. This is my umpteenth trip to the DR, and my Spanish is above average (for a bald, 50-something gringo).

 

[rsg]

Casino? Walk to a bus stop? I really do not understand why you would want or need to do either. Your best, safest, and easiest thing to do is take a taxi to Sosua.
If you don't want to cut in to your Sosua chica stash and pay for a taxi, your better off to just stay at the airport a few hours and then take a taxi to the bus station. I think the buses to Sosua start at 7 or so. You have to remember, depending on your hotel, if you pull up at 5 in the morning in Sosua, you probably will be charged for the night before.

 

[mrchris74]

Casino should be open. I suppose you could walk it but you'd be better off taking a Ruta A concho from calle restauracion (RD15) to Caribe Tours at Las Americas. Not sure if there's a bus to sosua that early tho. Better call them and find out.

But rsg is right, if your goal is to save a few bucks, its better to take a 2 hour nap at the airport, then take a cab direct to the bus stop, since the cab fair is the same no matter where you go.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tamborista]

Get a cabana right near the airport, for a few hours, I do not think walking around anywhere at 5 AM is too smart.

 

[macmasher]

Reconsidering - think I'll relax at the airport... then head straight for Caribe. Thanks.

 

[DRob]

Reconsidering - think I'll relax at the airport... then head straight for Caribe. Thanks.

...and then you'll arrive in Sosua at 9 a.m., 6 hours before check-in. If the hotel is full, then you're out of luck.

Really might want to consider a later flight or just getting some sleep in a cabana before heading out to Sosua.

Santiago really is a great town, worth spending more than a few hours in, if you're feeling rather adventurous.

 

[bachata]

I recommend him to stay at STI until the sunset,then get off by the mean exit and take a carro publico Ruta ZP they makes turns just in front the airport and ask the driver to droop him off at Av. Las Carreras debajo del puente de la 30 de Marzo Parada de Puerto plata, from POP to Sosua he can cacht an other carro publico.
I think this is the cheapest way for a turista biralata....

JeJe

JJ

 

[Beads]

Something that will be important is how much luggage your bringing with you. If you have a large bag to lug around I would stay at the airport and wait for a taxi to the bus stop in the morning.

If your with only a backpack then your options are a lot more open and your more mobile.

The cabana idea is definitely a another good choice if your tired and want to rent out a decent room and sleep for a few hours before the bus ride.

Definitely need to be careful wandering around with all your belongings.

 

[La Profe_1]

Reconsidering - think I'll relax at the airport... then head straight for Caribe. Thanks.

Several years ago, I was to be met at STI for an early morning arrival via Jet Blue similar to your Spirit one. The person who was meeting me got dates mixed up and I ended up having to wait about an hour and a half for him to drive from Puerto Plata. The security people at the airport were extremely concerned about my waiting there and kept suggesting that I take a cab. You might well encounter a similar reception to the idea of waiting until morning.

 

[LaTeacher]

the security doesn't want you hanging around that early in the morning. gran almirante IS open 24 hours. and you can EASILY walk from the hotel to the station in about 10 minutes. the buses to sosua start at 6:15 from caribe (i'm not sure about metro) and run every hour after that.

if you take a cab from the hotel, they're sure to take you to the Caribe Tours in Las Colinas which will cost you a lot more since it's across town instead of Caribe in Los Jardines.

 

[Hillbilly]

I think I remember the original thread.

Look, take a taxi to Supermercado Central. They ARE open 24/7 and they have a very nice, inexpensive little place to eat. You go in and turn to the right..can't miss it. have a good breakfast. then you walk maybe 200--250 meters to the Caribe Tour terminal and sit on a nice bench with taxi drivers and watchmen for company until the place opens aroun 5:30 and you can go inside and have another coffee....

The reason I do not like the Gran Almirante is that it is MUCH further away (about 3 x further)...and the food is expensive and you don't need the hassle.

When is your flight?


HB

P.S. I walked thgat area this morning at 4:50-5:15...no problems...

 

[rsg]

What date are you being in Santiago macmasher? I have friends coming in on spirit a few days next week at the same time. I am meeting them at the airport and taking them to Sosua..PM me..

 

[macmasher]

once again. HB comes thru...

I arrive at STI on Jan 3 (departing USA on Jan 2, in the evening). And I travel VERY light (a single backpack... slightly bigger than a school book bag).

About early Sosua check-in... no worries. I'm staying, as usual, at Rocky's. If Rick or Marco give me a somewhat safe place stash the backpack, I'll head for the beach, and get into the room mid/late afternoon.

HB - your idea is exactly what I was looking for. As always, I will follow your suggestions and report back after the fact (since others have, or will, undoubtedly face a similar situation).

I depart STI late (10pm-ish) on Jan 7. Short trip, I know.

Once again, the DR1 community comes through.

Mac

PS - Today's my 31st wedding anniversary. She's pretty patient to put up with all my short, but frequent solo excursions. Obviously, we've found equilibrium.

 

[rsg]

I arrive at STI on Jan 3 (departing USA on Jan 2, in the evening). And I travel VERY light (a single backpack... slightly bigger than a school book bag).

About early Sosua check-in... no worries. I'm staying, as usual, at Rocky's. If Rick or Marco give me a somewhat safe place stash the backpack, I'll head for the beach, and get into the room mid/late afternoon.

HB - your idea is exactly what I was looking for. As always, I will follow your suggestions and report back after the fact (since others have, or will, undoubtedly face a similar situation).

I depart STI late (10pm-ish) on Jan 7. Short trip, I know.

Once again, the DR1 community comes through.

Mac

PS - Today's my 31st wedding anniversary. She's pretty patient to put up with all my short, but frequent solo excursions. Obviously, we've found equilibrium.

Dude your name is not mcmasher, it should be Mc Man. Because you are the MAN. PLEASE TELL US ALL HOW A MARRIED MAN OF 31 YEARS, CAN GET AWAY WITH TAKING SOLO TRIPS TO THE CHICA INFESTED LAND OF THE DR...Please move over Doctor Badpiece, step aside AZB,professor McMan is in the house..