Bus from Santiago to Samana

[kokomo]

Hi all,

I'm leaving for the DR this Wednesday - yahooooo! - and have used these boards extensively to help plan our trip. There are still a few details I could use some help with though.

The most recent posts I could find about the Santiago-Samana buses were from 2005 - does anyone have any current info on the bus lines that make this trip? I read somewhere that Caribe Tours no longers runs this route, is that still true? Is the other line Metro Bus, and if so, does anyone know the current rates? (I read about someone encountering a little fare "discrepancy" with Metro Bus).

And one other request - can anyone tell me what we should pay for a guagua from Samana (where the bus lets us off) to Las Galeras?

Actually. the guagua thing is something I wish I had a better grip on in general. I'd really like to use them to get around, and from what I've read I should just hand the driver or cobrador the fare and not ask how much it is, but, well.....how do I know how much to hand over? I guess the worst thing is that could happen is that I'd get overcharged, but I hate to be a sucker...any advice? (I have a little bit of Spanish)

Thanks so much!

 

[Hillbilly]

Not to worry. there are four buses per day out to Saman?

Now, just where in Saman? are you going? THAT makes a difference, since the ones to Las Terrenas are early in the morning and early in the afternoon.

Also depends on what time you are arriving.

HB

 

[kokomo]

Hi HB, and thanks for your reply.

We'll be staying at El Marinique for two nights, then heading on to Sosua. My guess is we'll probably leave Santiago in the late morning or just after lunch.

We're not in any hurry and are looking forward to seeing the country. We considered hiring a driver, thinking it would be great to be able to stop along the way, but we're trying to travel on the less expensive side. Then again, there will be four of us, so it might not be so bad....what do you think, are we just being cheap?

Thanks,
kokomo

 

[mountainfrog]

Saman? Connection

... then heading on to Sosua....

If it's Saman? from there: There are NO CT or Metro buses to Saman?.

m'frog

 

[kokomo]

Hi m'frog,

What about this one? Found it in an old post - have been doing a lot of searching:

"Yes, there is a bus that runs 7 days a week from Puerto Plata to Samana and will pick you up if you wait along the highway and flag it down. It is basically maroon and has a big Puerto Plata-Samana sign by front windshield.

If in Sosua, you should start waiting on the highway about 6:50 to be sure of catching it. In Cabarete, shortly thereafter. No terminals in Sosua or Cabarete, people who want to ride the bus flag it down.

When you return, the bus leaves Samana at 2 pm from across the street from farmers market. Until !:45 it is wating by the central park."

I'm not concerned, we'll get there one way or another - but I am curious!

kokomo

 

[Hillbilly]

Kokomo: You can certainly hire a minivan and driver..I think I gave you a good lead on that in the PM I sent you....really.

This sounds like a real adventure. As you pointed out, there IS a bus that travels along the coast road, and, of course, there is other transportation that covers shorter pieces of the route, should you be attracted to a beach along the way...The proper way to flag down a bus of this sort is to sort of wave your hand as if you were putting out a little fire or patting a child on the head

What time does your flight get in>?>

HB

 

[mountainfrog]

Buses and Taxis

Hi m'frog,
What about this one?....

The information is correct.
I just pointed out that there are no longer Caribe Tours and Metro buses (as there were).
The "express guagua" mentioned seems to be a good alternative.
If you share the cost of a taxi (around 100 US$ from Sos?a to Sanchez/Las Terrenas, Saman?) you'll have the advantage to stop on the way wherever you please as there are some nice beaches on the way.
Enjoy Saman?.

m'frog

 

[Hillbilly]

Kokomo: And you should know that you are going out to Las Galeras, not Saman? proper. That is another 1/2 hour out from "Saman?"..

HB

 

[kokomo]

Thanks for the the info you guys, I'm practicing my bus wave. And still considering a minivan/taxi/driver although I'll need to consult with my peeps.

We're getting in about 6:30 and looking forward to seeing a bit of Santiago, walking around and hopefully having a tasty Dominican dinner.

M'frog, you are of course right, and I realized after I posted that you were simply informing me that those two particular bus lines don't run out that way, which is exactly what I had asked. Oops!

Thanks again,
kokomo