Driving directions from Santiago Airport

[dekka]

Hello

Can someone please give me directions from the STI airport in Santiago to the Ocean Beach Manor Resort in Cabarete. We rented a car and now we need to know how to get to our destination.

Thank you

 

[Hillbilly]

W;ell you were not so wise renting a car. That's number one. You can have a taxi pick you up and take you to your hotel for like $80 or
\$85....and save you any and all headaches...talk to Roc?o at Welcome To Paradise Transportation

If you insist on driving in the DR with it's archane traffic laws and nasty cops...let me know.

Know this. You go to jail for fender benders if there is so much as a scratch on anyone. There are people that prey on tourist drivers. Jails are the absolute pits-=- Remember "Midnight Express?" ????

There are very few road signs and most if not all maps are out of date...

HB

Leave the driving to THEM!!

 

[laurapasinifan]

take a left out of the airport. Go about a mile to the stop sign and a four way intersection( one is a little caddy corner) turn left there...go all the way till you hit a stop light. That will be the intersection of Route 14 in Li Cey al Media. Turn right onto route 14 and head towards Moca. once in moca look for signs for route 21....you have to hit it at some point.turn left( north) onto route 21. that road goes all the way to the coast and ends at route 5. Turn left onto route 5 and head into Cabarete....I have no idea where your hotel is in cabarete....I'd have to guess almost all the hotels are on route 5 or have a drive way on route 5.

NOTE not far from Moca after you first turn left onto Route 21, when you come into a little town called San Victor...there is going to be right turn up into the mountains...it will be route 21 still, but it is easy to miss, because it looks like a turn off to a different road...but is in fact 21...there is a gas station on your left at that intersection....other wise stay on the main road....up and down the mountain...take your camera and be ready to stop for some nice pictures if it is sunny out that day. Make sure your brakes work well, on the rental...and are not metal to metal...the maintenace on those rentals is poor at best. should take 1.5 hours about...unless you drive very fast or very slow......

your rental car probably wont have any gas....what you can do is when you come up to Route 14 in LiCey al Media....you can turn left and go about 1/2 mile and find an Isla gas station on your left...fill up and turn around, and head straight into moca..as previously decribed.

good luck

bob

 

[dekka]

Thank you

Thank you, I appreciate your reply. I have one question and please answer it truthfully.Do you think we would be better off not renting a car and driving ourself and to just take a taxi? I have heard so many different versions.

Thanks again

Claire

 

[Hillbilly]

Clair: If you have driven in the Dominican Republic for several weeks, months or years, you would know that driving here is a dangerous game. Not only are 50% of the drivers unlicensed, been drinking or are just plain stupid, you also have to deal with tinylittle motorcycles that think they are indestructable. That, plus the fact that the roads are not well marked (oh I can give you outstanding direction to just about anywhere in the north, but not by Route # or such.)and most are in poor condition.

You would be so much better advised for this first trip to take a taxi and eliminate aggravation. After you get a feel for things, THEN youcan decide which is better.

paradisetrans.com is a fine option and hundreds of DR1ers have used them.

There are other options too, such as buses but youlose a lot of time and you want to get to the beach, I know.

We have had this discussion time and time again, but the really wise thing is to taxi the first time...

Cordially,

HB

 

[KeithF]

Thank you, I appreciate your reply. I have one question and please answer it truthfully.Do you think we would be better off not renting a car and driving ourself and to just take a taxi? I have heard so many different versions.

Thanks again

Claire

Personally, I would say if you've never visited the country before, don't rent unless you have driven a lot in similar countries. I'm far more concerned about being in an RTA than becoming a victim of crime. I don't drive here and I've visited six times in the last twelve months. I'd say the standard of driving here is the worst I've witnessed, even Vietnam was better (and that was scary!) Leave renting a car at least until you get to Cabarete and have a better idea of what you are letting yourself in for.

 

[Ricardo900]

My opinion

Thank you, I appreciate your reply. I have one question and please answer it truthfully.Do you think we would be better off not renting a car and driving ourself and to just take a taxi? I have heard so many different versions.

Thanks again

Claire

I strongly believe you should refrain from renting on your first trip. You have to ask yourself these questions:

Do you know about how much insurance is recommended or needed?
Could you ask for directions in Spanish?
Could you explain a situation in Spanish in case of accident?
Do you have experience in Driving in major metropolitan cities?
Could you contact anyone in case of a breakdown?

I personally only rent a car if I am doing some major travelling in between towns and cities, but if I am only staying in the Capital or Santiago, why waste money on a rental, when I can cab it or bus it for about $3US a trip. Plus, I can enjoy having a couple of good drinks without worrying about navigating at night. In Cabarete, you really are not going to need a car to get around and the towns next to it are real close.

Good Luck

 

[Bob K]

You are getting some good advise from Hillbilly and others. If this is your first time and you don't have eight functioning eyeballs in your head with a swivel neck and the reflexes of a 18 year old who has been playing video games for years LEAVE the driving to others. Besides while in Cabarete you really will find the car a hinderence to getting around. Parking in Cabarete is the pits. You can get cabs, tours, etc for excursions out of town. The road from Santiagao to Cabarete (no matter which one of three routes you take) can be an experience in itself.

If you can cancel your rental do so. You will have a much better Dominican experience wtih out it. Do enjoy our island and your trip.

Bob K

 

[dekka]

Thank you all for your responses. I have taken all of your advices and we are taking a taxi instead. I even feel better now knowing what to expect. Thanks again.

Claire