Need advice for upcoming trip to Barahona (from P.Cana) 8-12/13th April 2013

Eugeniefs

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Jan 24, 2008
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We will be driving from Punta Cana to Barahona around 8th April. We will be going for 4-5 days and I wanted to find out which are the best places to visit and to stay.

What shouldn't we miss on the way (e.g. Pomier caves in San Cristobal and the Cuban museum in Bani?)

We are thinking of staying around Barahona for 2 or 3 nights so we can see Lago Enriquillo, visit Jimani and perhaps Jaragua National Park. Basically we just want to get a feel of the area and see some of the local sights.

We want to stay in two bedrooms one can be a double but the other must have twin beds or bed/sofabed combo. Price range around $50-70 per night for the two rooms.

From there we are then thinking of driving to Jarabacoa (seeing Saltos de Jimenoa y aguas blancas) and staying there a couple of nights - know any good places to stay? Recommend any places to visit? Then driving back to Punta Cana.

Anyone know what are the road conditions like? Any advice would be gratefully received!
 

curious29

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Sep 20, 2012
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the road down from barahona to Oviedo is under some changes/reconstruction....but it is still decent, you can go there 60-80 km/h quite steady...I would say its above average from the roads in this country...no that many holes, but a lot of gravel and sand on it......amazing views
 

robbie

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Aug 3, 2006
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We will be driving from Punta Cana to Barahona around 8th April. We will be going for 4-5 days and I wanted to find out which are the best places to visit and to stay.

What shouldn't we miss on the way (e.g. Pomier caves in San Cristobal and the Cuban museum in Bani?)

We are thinking of staying around Barahona for 2 or 3 nights so we can see Lago Enriquillo, visit Jimani and perhaps Jaragua National Park. Basically we just want to get a feel of the area and see some of the local sights.

We want to stay in two bedrooms one can be a double but the other must have twin beds or bed/sofabed combo. Price range around $50-70 per night for the two rooms.

From there we are then thinking of driving to Jarabacoa (seeing Saltos de Jimenoa y aguas blancas) and staying there a couple of nights - know any good places to stay? Recommend any places to visit? Then driving back to Punta Cana.

Anyone know what are the road conditions like? Any advice would be gratefully received!

Time for a little getaway ?:bunny:
 

Riva_31

Bronze
Apr 1, 2013
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San Pedro de Macoris
The highway from Punta Cana is still under construction before arriving La Romana and After La Romana, aslo before San Pedro de Macoris so be carefull arround there, I hope they finish soon, its take now almost 3 hrs to arrive to Santo Domingo if you get hard transit in La Romana, when they finish will takes only 2 hrs from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo.
 

Eugeniefs

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Jan 24, 2008
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How was your trip?

I am interested in a trip report as well. I am trying to arrange a trip there in June. Maybe staying as Casa Bonita.

Sorry guys forgot to come back and reply. The trip was awesome, did quite a lot of driving... trip from PC to Barahona wasn't too bad (did it in April so roads may have improved by now, November). Found good place to stay in Barahona, drove down to Paraiso - they were re-doing the roads which were dreadful, hopefully now much better!

The water level of Lago Enriquillo is really rising quite quickly, so is the water level on the Haitian side, a lot of the road to Jimani has been raised with the surrounding land under water. The town was manic, our guide and driver couldn't get out of the border area fast enough.

Shame we had to drive back to SD to get to Jarabacoa.. but it is a beautiful area, truly recommend that you go and visit it. Fruit and veg were really cheap (compared to PC!!).
 
Aug 6, 2006
8,775
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The Gran Hotel Barahona is clean, friendly, and around $1300 RD per night. It is halfway between the Malecon and the Parque Central. There is WiFi, cable, AC and free coffee every morning. The Cacique is similar. If you are staying over a week, and show them any sort of business card, they might give you a discount. There is the Guarocuya down on the Malecon and the Costa Larimar that are fancier and on the beach. The Loro Tuerto on Casimiro Damiran is quite picturesque, with a cozy little restaurant and a lot of artsy craftsy ambiente. Barahona is a friendly town. Motorcycles swarm in great numbers up and down the Malec?n every night, but especially on weekends. Barahona is sort of the capital of two wheeled cruising.

The drive south to Pedernales is spectacular. San Rafael is a great place to swim in several fresh water ponds, and there are several really nice luxury resorts along the way. Change your money in Barahona, as there are no ATMs South until you get to Pedernales. There are not a lot of tourists along this route.
 

Markhill

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Nov 24, 2012
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Thanks for the info Xavier. Heading down at Christmas and planning to take a bus from SD to Barahona and find transport further south (not interested in renting a car). Just going for a few days and touring the rest of the island.

Mark
 
Aug 6, 2006
8,775
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Guaguas (minibuses) heading toward Paraiso, Los Patos and Pedernales start out from the streets near the market, about 4 blocks N on 30 de mayo from the Parque Central. They usually have the destination on a sign somewhere. They are not expensive.