Best way to go from Cabarete/Sosua to Punta Cana now when Carretera Turistica is ready?

[HDR]

I have always driven through Nagua then the toll road to avoid Santo Dominga chaos when going to Punta Cana. Now I see this by pass road North of Santo Domingo. Anyone taken this road? Meaning first Carretera Turistica, then the bypass of Santiago and then bypass of Santo Domingo. According to Google Maps it is just a couple of minutes difference. Always loved Carretera turistica, never liked the road to Nagua.

Any info very much appreciated.

 

[Lobo Tropical]

I have always driven through Nagua then the toll road to avoid Santo Dominga chaos when going to Punta Cana. Now I see this by pass road North of Santo Domingo. Anyone taken this road? Meaning first Carretera Turistica, then the bypass of Santiago and then bypass of Santo Domingo. According to Google Maps it is just a couple of minutes difference. Always loved Carretera turistica, never liked the road to Nagua.

Any info very much appreciated.

A smooth drive from Gran Parada on the new tourist highway to P.C. on pay highways.
About 5 hrs 20 min. Using circumvention roads where available to avoid city centres.

 

[HDR]

A smooth drive from Gran Parada on the new tourist highway to P.C. on pay highways.
About 5 hrs 20 min. Using circumvention roads where available to avoid city centres.

As I wrote I have driven there a lot, but no not the circumvention road north of Santo Domingo. Is it smooth?

 

[SKY]

I have taken it a few times going from Santiago to Punta Cana. This was last year. It was a pleasure. New divided Hwy all the way. Tolls. You end up about 10-15 KM on the Toll road from Nagua to SDQ. When you get off make a left and go right at the underpass and will be on the road near SDQ. From that point about 2 1/2 hours or less to PC.

 

[HDR]

I have taken it a few times going from Santiago to Punta Cana. This was last year. It was a pleasure. New divided Hwy all the way. Tolls. You end up about 10-15 KM on the Toll road from Nagua to SDQ. When you get off make a left and go right at the underpass and will be on the road near SDQ. From that point about 2 1/2 hours or less to PC.

Thanks a lot! I will take that road!

 

[SKY]

Just make sure you stay right after going through the toll booths heading to SD. It comes up fast. Better to use Waze or Google to not miss it. Also it is a bit tricky getting in the right direction.

 

[SandyMacK]

Morning, I'm a newbee so apologies if this is not the correct thread to ask this question. I will be flying into Punta Cana in May (as no direct flights from the UK to Puerto Plata) but needing to get to Sosua / Cabarete. Your comments above are very helpful. My question is whether it is a sensible journey to make at night as I arrive in Punta Cana early evening? An option may be to stay in PC overnight then drive in the morning. Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
Many thanks

 

[Northern Coast Diver]

Morning, I'm a newbee so apologies if this is not the correct thread to ask this question. I will be flying into Punta Cana in May (as no direct flights from the UK to Puerto Plata) but needing to get to Sosua / Cabarete. Your comments above are very helpful. My question is whether it is a sensible journey to make at night as I arrive in Punta Cana early evening? An option may be to stay in PC overnight then drive in the morning. Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
Many thanks

Do yourself a favor and do not drive at night!! You could come upon cows in the roadway, and none of them have lights. Much safer to make the drive in daylight.

 

[SKY]

Do yourself a favor and do not drive at night!! You could come upon cows in the roadway, and none of them have lights. Much safer to make the drive in daylight.

You might also encounter Motos and even cars that might not have lights either. This is a recipe for disaster.............

 

[Astucia]

I have driven the Carretera Turistica to Santiago bypass - then to the Santo Domingo baypass - and then on to Punta Cana a number of times this year. And also the return back to the North Coast.

One thing I can caution you : on the return to the North Coast it it very easy to miss the exit from the Santiago bypass to the Carretara Turistico. As a matter of fact - I did that just today. Was talking, not paying attention and next thing I knew I missed the Gurabo exit.
It is the next exit after the Tamboril exit.

I wish there was a BIG sign

 

[aarhus]

Morning, I'm a newbee so apologies if this is not the correct thread to ask this question. I will be flying into Punta Cana in May (as no direct flights from the UK to Puerto Plata) but needing to get to Sosua / Cabarete. Your comments above are very helpful. My question is whether it is a sensible journey to make at night as I arrive in Punta Cana early evening? An option may be to stay in PC overnight then drive in the morning. Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
Many thanks

Punta Cana has an airport hotel. Four Points by Sheraton.

 

[JD Jones]

I have driven the Carretera Turistica to Santiago bypass - then to the Santo Domingo baypass - and then on to Punta Cana a number of times this year. And also the return back to the North Coast.

One thing I can caution you : on the return to the North Coast it it very easy to miss the exit from the Santiago bypass to the Carretara Turistico. As a matter of fact - I did that just today. Was talking, not paying attention and next thing I knew I missed the Gurabo exit.
It is the next exit after the Tamboril exit.

I wish there was a BIG sign

You can say that again. I was even watching for it on my Garmin and drove right past it. You'd think there'd be a big "Puerto Plata" or "Carretera Touristica" somewhere before.

 

[drstock]

Personally, I would still use the route through Nagua, and Google Maps agrees with me that it is quicker from Cabarete. I do the trip to San Pedro de Macoris quite often and have always found this route best.

I was talking to a Dominican architect the other day, and he is working on the new Autopista which is due to go from Puerto Plata area to Santiago. It sounds like a hell of a project, with no turn-offs - just a direct run from the north coast to the Santiago by-pass, going through two tunnels. He says it will be done in 2-3 years. Now when that's done, the route via Santiago may be better.

 

[SandyMacK]

Many thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated. So I will go with avoiding night time driving (like the plague), look to book up a night in the Four Points airport hotel, drive in daylight, and pay very close attention to all highway signage to stay on track, particularly around Santiago.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Are highways tolls cash only? and I'm assuming there are many car hire operators around Punta Cana airport but if anyone has a favourite I'd love to know.

 

[william webster]

Marriot has a nice hotel too.... near the airport

Just Google... there are a lot...... hotels.com maybe

Cash only tolls

 

[HDR]

Many thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated. So I will go with avoiding night time driving (like the plague), look to book up a night in the Four Points airport hotel, drive in daylight, and pay very close attention to all highway signage to stay on track, particularly around Santiago.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Are highways tolls cash only? and I'm assuming there are many car hire operators around Punta Cana airport but if anyone has a favourite I'd love to know.

First time, I would take the Nagua road, but yes use cash on the toll road. And it is easy to miss that road if you drive from Punta Cana. Pay attention when you get closer to the Las Americas airport. Hold to the right.

 

[william webster]

as you pass the toll booth after the airport (from Punta Cana)---

slow down and watch on your right..... a skinny exit w/ a skinnier sign !!
first chance to get off after passing the toll (no toll needed in that direction)

 

[drstock]

as you pass the toll booth after the airport (from Punta Cana)---

slow down and watch on your right..... a skinny exit w/ a skinnier sign !!
first chance to get off after passing the toll (no toll needed in that direction)

Yes, it's a phantom tollbooth. Not manned or taking money.

 

[william webster]

You pay going east - not west

 

[HS10]

Personally, I would still use the route through Nagua, and Google Maps agrees with me that it is quicker from Cabarete. I do the trip to San Pedro de Macoris quite often and have always found this route best.

I was talking to a Dominican architect the other day, and he is working on the new Autopista which is due to go from Puerto Plata area to Santiago. It sounds like a hell of a project, with no turn-offs - just a direct run from the north coast to the Santiago by-pass, going through two tunnels. He says it will be done in 2-3 years. Now when that's done, the route via Santiago may be better.

Anyone else knows anything about the new highway? Very glad, drstock, to hear that it is being worked on as I haven't heard anything in the news since the initial flurry.