Safety Travelling from Cibao International Airport

[Solar39]

I am arriving around 8PM, and am renting a car.

How safe is it leaving the airport to Santiago at that time of night.

TIA

 

[David B]

I am arriving around 8PM, and am renting a car.

How safe is it leaving the airport to Santiago at that time of night.

TIA

I think it depends where you're traveling to from the airport and which route you take.

 

[Solar39]

I think it depends where you're traveling to from the airport and which route you take.

David,

Thanks for the speedy response. I thought there was only one way, and that would be to the Autopista Duarte? I will be going to Santiago, via El Monumento.

 

[David B]

Well, I live in Santiago, so I just go 15 mins down the road, not Duarte. If you're going on to Puerto Plata or Sosua via Duarte, there is certainly a possibility someone is going to target you. Not that it happens all the time, considering the number of fliers. But a family of Dominicans visiting from the US was just accosted near La Vega on their way from the airport.

 

[playacaribe2]

David,

Thanks for the speedy response. I thought there was only one way, and that would be to the Autopista Duarte? I will be going to Santiago, via El Monumento.

Your arrival time will be fine to travel. Lots of cars on the Autopista Duarte at that time of night. Now if you were arriving at 1,2,3,4 AM.............that might be a bit more concerning.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[NALs]

One time I landed early in the morning (around 1 am) and as was leaving the airport a police pickup appeared with the sirens on. Stop right before the second speed bump. My uncle took care of talking with the "police," but they never approached the vehicle on foot. Instead through an intercom one of the "police" asked for someone to step out with their hands above his head, turn around and slowly approah their vehicle. In the end nothing happen, but my uncle did said that they asked where were we going and he said some town different and in the opposite direction from where we we actually going. That's the point, if stopped and asked where you're going, say somewhere else from where you are actually going especially at night.

Needless to say, that was and will continue to be the only arrival at night I'll do to the DR and departing too.

 

[Solar39]

Well, I live in Santiago, so I just go 15 mins down the road, not Duarte. If you're going on to Puerto Plata or Sosua via Duarte, there is certainly a possibility someone is going to target you. Not that it happens all the time, considering the number of fliers. But a family of Dominicans visiting from the US was just accosted near La Vega on their way from the airport.

Thanks!

 

[Solar39]

Your arrival time will be fine to travel. Lots of cars on the Autopista Duarte at that time of night. Now if you were arriving at 1,2,3,4 AM.............that might be a bit more concerning.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

Very informative. Appreciate it.

 

[Solar39]

One time I landed early in the morning (around 1 am) and as was leaving the airport a police pickup appeared with the sirens on. Stop right before the second speed bump. My uncle took care of talking with the "police," but they never approached the vehicle on foot. Instead through an intercom one of the "police" asked for someone to step out with their hands above his head, turn around and slowly approah their vehicle. In the end nothing happen, but my uncle did said that they asked where were we going and he said some town different and in the opposite direction from where we we actually going. That's the point, if stopped and asked where you're going, say somewhere else from where you are actually going especially at night.

Needless to say, that was and will continue to be the only arrival at night I'll do to the DR and departing too.

That's what I want to avoid. Thanks for sharing.

 

[malko]

Arrived many times in STI late at night, much later than 8, and drove home on the Puerto Plata road with zero issues----granted, not in a rental.

I would be fine driving a rental the 15 mn to Santiago at 8 in the evening, but thats just my opinion.

 

[badpiece33]

you are fine at 8pm at night, 3 or 4 am not so much, but before midnight you will be fine

 

[Solar39]

Arrived many times in STI late at night, much later than 8, and drove home on the Puerto Plata road with zero issues----granted, not in a rental.

I would be fine driving a rental the 15 mn to Santiago at 8 in the evening, but thats just my opinion.

Great to hear.

 

[Solar39]

you are fine at 8pm at night, 3 or 4 am not so much, but before midnight you will be fine

Thanks for the response.

 

[CristoRey]

I am arriving around 8PM, and am renting a car.

How safe is it leaving the airport to Santiago at that time of night.

TIA

It's much safer than flying into any big city in the US at that hour.