Ughh, cheapest way to get to Punta Cana from Santa Domingo?

[sugarwookie]

On further review of advice from experts I'm thinking renting a car on the first visit wouldn't be good for us. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me the cheapest and safest way to get to the Ocean Manor resort in Cabarete from Santa Domingo? We made a mistake with our reservations and just discovered we're 4 hours away from our destination.

It would help tremendously if anyone can offer advice and tips.


Thanks,

David
Blazefighter348@aol.com

 

[Kyle]

catch a cab or bus..best advice....

 

[sugarwookie]

Thanks Kyle, any idea what I'd have to pay for a cab, or private driver? I think we've found a few bus services that are cheap, just not too sure how the whole thing works

 

[Tamborista]

A private Taxi will cost you approx. USD$150 from SDQ airport to Cabarete, and over 4 hours.
Are you going to Punta Cana or Cabarete?

If you booked this trip through a travel agent, they really screwed up, POP airport is 25 minutes to Cabarete!

 

[Hillbilly]

On further review of advice from experts I'm thinking renting a car on the first visit wouldn't be good for us. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me the cheapest and safest way to get to the Ocean Manor resort in Cabarete from Santa Domingo? We made a mistake with our reservations and just discovered we're 4 hours away from our destination.

It would help tremendously if anyone can offer advice and tips.


Thanks,

David
Blazefighter348@aol.com

Something is wrong here.

You talk about Punta Cana and then Cabarete

IF you are arriving in SantO DomingO (Note the "o"s) than it is a piece of cake to get a cab into the city (About RD$1000 or $35-not more!) to Caribe Tours.
Grab the first bus to Sosua. (Metro has buses to Cabarete, but i am not sure of the schedule.) -> You might look up a post by Potato_Salad on the Metro.

However, if you are arriving at Punta Cana and heading to SantO DomingO, then you chould write Rubio_Higuey for his very clear and precise instructions.

Either way, it is the cheapest, safest and fastest way to get where you are going.

Cordially,

HB

 

[sugarwookie]

My mistake, I'm arriving at Santa Domingo and I need to get to the Ocean manor Resort which is in Cabarete. I know we should have bought tickets to ply into Punta Cana, but screwed up royally.
It looks like the best way moneywise is to catch a cab to Caribe Tours and they head to Sosua, then grab a cab to Ocean manor, right? Thanks for the price ranges, as I don't know what to expect.

Thanks!

 

[Tamborista]

a. You should have bought a ticket to Puerto Plata, POP, please stop calling it PUNTA CANA!

b. The Capital is called Santo Domingo with an "O".

c. If there are two or more of you, you are only going to save $50pp or less by taking a Cab-Bus-Cab vs a nice van for $150 NO STOPS.

 

[sugarwookie]

I apologize for the mispellings and don't mean any disrespect. If you can understand my sense of urgency in getting this figured out maybe you can understand I'm typing names for places I've never visited, and up until two weeks ago had never heard of?
How does one arrange for a van service as you mentioned Tamborista? I'd appreciate any further advice.

Thanks,

David

 

[Tamborista]

JJ is my favorite, but I am not sure if he works out of SDQ, send him an email and ask: Rates

This service is also well respected by members here:

Boca chica airport transfers, dominican republic, punta cana airport transfers

Both speak English.

 

[bigbird]

What time does your flight arrive?

What time does your return flight leave?

How many people are traveling with you?

 

[sugarwookie]

Thanks so much. Is it crazy to rent a car to travel with for a day? I can get one directly from Santo Domingo airport very reasonably. My idea was to take the car and drive to a nearby drop off closer to the resort, which I believe was the airport located in Puerto Plata. If I did this, the cost wouldn't be more than 75.00 American. I guess I just wonder how hard it is to get there from Santo Domingo airport. The service you linked me to charges 330.00 roundtrip. I just wish we could come with something a little cheaper as we're on a budget.

Thanks again for all the advice all............

 

[Kyle]

why not just pay the extra money and rebook the flight to POP...that sounds easiest...

 

[Tamborista]

Then take a TAXI from SDQ airport to Caribe Tours bus station $USD30, then a bus to Sosua $RD260, taxi from Sosua to Cabarete USD$10ish

Total = $28PP X 2

 

[Tamborista]

why not just pay the extra money and rebook the flight to POP...that sounds easiest...

That would be too logical!

 

[bigbird]

Here are your best options. Please forget about renting a car. When you get to the DR you will know what I mean. I made six trips to the DR before I had the nerve to test the roads with a rental.

Pick option #1 or #2 and enjoy your trip.

why not just pay the extra money and rebook the flight to POP...that sounds easiest...

Then take a TAXI from SDQ airport to Caribe Tours bus station $USD30, then a bus to Sosua $RD260, taxi from Sosua to Cabarete USD$10ish

Total = $28PP X 2

 

[sugarwookie]

Hey Big Bird,

We arrive this Friday at 2:00pm and we're set to fly out on 11/2 the following Friday at 2:30pm from and to Santo Domingo.....

Thanks,

David

 

[bigbird]

Hey Big Bird,

We arrive this Friday at 2:00pm and we're set to fly out on 11/2 the following Friday at 2:30pm from and to Santo Domingo.....

Thanks,

David

Since you are leaving this Friday that would eliminate rebooking your flight. In most cases when you purchase/change a reservation less than seven days in advance the price is sky high.

Use option #2. The Caribe Tours bus leaves every hour on the hour out of Santo Domingo. You should just be able to make the 4pm bus. Don't panic, worse comes to worse you can sit at the terminal for the next bus.

When you exit the airport there is a taxi stand. Just double check the price to Caribe Tours Bus Terminal. It should be $30. As soon as you arrive at the terminal purchase your ticket for the next bus leaving for Sosua. The trip is about 4 hours. You will be leaving at rush hour so it might be longer. It is a very comfortable bus with some cold A/C.

The bus will make two stops in Santiago (along with several others in route). The first or second stop (I don't remember which one) most of the passengers will get off the bus to purchase snacks. You have about 15 minutes to grab a take out order. Hold onto your bus ticket receipt.

A little over an hour later you will arrive at the last stop, Sosua. When you exit the bus there will be a few taxis waiting. Again, ask the price before you enter. It should not be more than $20 USD.

Do the opposite when you leave. The Caribe Tours bus leaves Sosua 20 minutes after the hour. I would try to take the 7:20am bus, nothing later. You never know what may happen. It wouldn't hurt to aim for the 6:20 bus. You have 4 hours to sleep on the bus. When you get to SDQ, check in and go to the lower level for a bite to eat.

Please make sure you understand everything. If not, holler out.

Only thing I am not certain about is if Caribe Tours and the snack bar in Santiago accepts $USD. If you want, you can play it safe and exchange a few bills at the airport. You won't get the best exchange rate but it will give you peace of mind.

Enjoy your trip.............

 

[Bronxboy]

Definitely have a sweater or a light jacket. It gets VERY cold.

 

[Tamborista]

A little over an hour later you will arrive at the last stop, Sosua. When you exit the bus there will be a few taxis waiting. Again, ask the price before you enter. It should not be more than $20 USD

I never pay more than $10 USD/RD250 from Sosua to Cabarete, the OP should not pay more than $15 with a bunch of luggage and Zero Spanish!

t'

 

[sugarwookie]

Looks like the bus is our way. Delta wanted 750 apiece to tranfer!!! Thanks so much BB.Bird for the easy to follow directions as well as to anyone else who threw in some advice.

David