Cheap...
We live in Sosua currently and I'm always on the look out for cheap getaways myself. The problem is that out of Puerto Plata there really are only a handful of 'scheduled' airlines.
These airlines are:
American - To: Miami, San Juan, PR
Continental - To: Newark, NJ
Delta: To: Atlanta
Turks and Caicos: To: Grand Turk
Aeropostal: To: Carracas
Out of the above airlines American has the only reasonable fares within the Carribbean. For example: Puerto Plata / St. Martin - $350.00 rt incl taxes.
If you want to go to Europe or Canada then you have your choice of many 'charter' carriers and many offer last minute deals at amazing prices. The thing with the charters is that you generally can not book outside of 7 days before travel.
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Cuba is ridiculously expensive to get to: Santo Domingo / Havana - $450.00rt
Even with a package it's very high.
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The ferry from Santo Domingo to Puerto Rico (west coast of Puerto Rico) runs around $250.00 round trip, this includes room and food.
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Out of Santiago and Santo Domingo your choices really open up, however still not a lot for inter-Carribbean travel. There are cheap flights to central america ($200.00rt) from Santo Domingo to Costa Rica.
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It's really strange that you can go to Europe for the same price that you can go to St. Thomas.
IF you ever want more information on flights just PM me and I'll get you the information.
Regards,
Jack