Monte Cristi / Punta Rucia - worth a detour ?

[tempo]

Well, I've been driving in Africa several times, greek islands each year (as for the road conditions) and from my own country, I'm used to to such level of a road rage, that driving everywhere else was piece of cake from this point of view so far (haven't been driving in middle east or SE Asia though...). I do not plan on to drive after dark, at least not long distances. That'll be ilegal in DR these days anyway...

Was looking at Cayo Arena, but I'm afraid of this:

https://www.bayahibe.es/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CA-925x465.jpg

By "highways" you don't mean toll roads I guess ? I'll be paying atetntion, of course...

I have never been to the East coast in the DR but my guess is that in the DR, all toll roads are highways ( autoroute, autostrada, autopista, autobahn, motorway) . I cannot think of road rage though...that certainly is not a problem even though the big SUVs will try to lord over. I strictly referred to road condition: DR certainly is something to watch for and daytime driving is strongly recommended even on highways (unless it is a newly built road) and I say this having driven all over the world, bar Africa/Middle East. If I understood, you are new to the DR.
Re cayo arena, the day, I went, as I said, there were 5/6 people - we went rather late so it was very nice for me. Indeed the only reason I went to Punta Rucia was to get to Cayo Arena but I slept overnight in Punta Rucia. These days, with Covid, chances are very low that there is overcrowding but it is your call anyway.

 

[XTraveller]

Well, I've been driving in Africa several times, greek islands each year (as for the road conditions) and from my own country, I'm used to to such level of a road rage, that driving everywhere else was piece of cake from this point of view so far (haven't been driving in middle east or SE Asia though...). I do not plan on to drive after dark, at least not long distances. That'll be ilegal in DR these days anyway...

Was looking at Cayo Arena, but I'm afraid of this:

https://www.bayahibe.es/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CA-925x465.jpg

By "highways" you don't mean toll roads I guess ? I'll be paying atetntion, of course...

Well, I like to explore less touristic places when on a vacation... Stay whole time in one place, I would consider that rather boring... But I understand, that everybody has a different idea of an "ideal vacation". Most of the people from my social bubble that have visited DR stayed in all inclusive resorts in Punta Cana for the whole time and they loved that... Such vacation would make me crazy after few days... And I would probably became an alcoholic after two weeks, because, what would I do there all the time apart from drinking ? :-D

But I agree with all the driving distance, I don't like to spend that much time driving either...


Yes, the probability of that small island being crowded with another tourists is discouraging me from a visit too... Plus I prefer to be on my own, ie.: no organized trips or hiring a boat with a captain...

In Samana, I intend to spend most of the time in Las Galeras, because I've got the very same impression of Las Terrenas and you just confirmed that :-D I'll spend few days in Las Terrenas though, since there are few beaches and other places I'd like to visit...

Thanks for the hotel suggestions in Punta Cana area, will look into it I'll be staying there on the last night, just in case, I prefer to be closer to the airport...

Yes, I was considering Pedernales / Barahona area too, but since I want to visit Samana, all that driving just didn't make sense...

I like Las Galeras but starting to get more "developed" compare to let say 5 years ago. Must see Playa Rincon, now you can go by car. When entering beach area go left. This is part of the beach where the river goes to the sea. There is dominican style beach restaurant/food shack. We had good fish and lobster not too expensive compare to Las Terrenas. I would say if you go left its Dominican and right would be for tourist. Can find Plays Rincon on google maps, my Dominicans friends prefer "WAZE" to google map.

Las Terrenas is more "developed". More european feeling (many French- Italian). Therefore a wide choice of good restaurant and hotels.

Disclosure I went to Samana peninsula about 1 and 1/2 year ago and around 5 years before. Also I live here in the DR so went off season. Now may be different but my recommendation Playa Rincon-Las Galeras again must see.

FYI_ There is a street parallel to the ocean in Las Galenas name "Jimi Hendrix" I can image the parties that were there........at the time.
Elvis has not been spotted there..........but who knows maybe Jimi isn't dead........HaHa. Have a good time in Samana. Writing this makes me feel like travelling.......since I live here will wait for covid to pass. I sure you will be safe.

 

[AlterEgo]

If you do go to Punta Rucia, eat at Elsa’s on the beach.

 

[NALs]

Whoa, thanks for that bit of info. I saw that structure but not a soul there told me about Eiffel, and it makes sense....Haiti (known formerly as Saint Domingue) was French Territory until around the French revolution.

It has nothing to do with Haiti or Saint-Domingue, but it was designed by one Frenchman and installed there by another man also French in the late 1800's, well after Haiti had become a country and Saint-Domingue was over. It was sent directly from France. It has been an identifying symbol of Montecristi ever since.

Jose Marti never lived in the Dominican Republic, however

Máximo Gómez did.​

José Martí did live for a short time in Montecristi. What doesn't exist is his exclusive house because he lived in the house of Máximo Gómez, his buddy. That's also where the manifesto for Cuba's independence was signed by both of them. Máximo Gómez himself went to Cuba and became a major figure in Cuba's independence, so much that the Cubans erected the largest monument in marble to a Dominican. Its right in Havana's malecón coming out of the tunnel that connects that area of the city with East Havana. Anyway, the presence of José Martí there in Montecristi and the signing of the manifesto to Cuba's independence is the main reason why Cuba's flag waves on a pole.

It's not in Montecristi, but another hero of Cuba's independence is Antonio Maceo. His mother was from Puerto Plata and one time he visited the city. That's the reason there is a bust of him near the Fortaleza San Felipe.

 

[NALs]

Monument of Máximo Gómez in Havana, Cuba.

 

[lifeisgreat]

I would do that in a heartbeat if I could. I don't drive now. Even my US license has expired.

I’ve been using my expired lic.down here 10yrs

 

[lifeisgreat]

Punts Russia is nice I prefer Ensenada close by...it’s winding trip threw small towns and a lot of speed bumps now new asphalt on rd...be prepared 2-3hrs depending on driving style from Sosua..ambitious travel plan for 2 weeks good luck if you plan on doing trip when you enter military zone you will be waved to by military wave back and smile, if you don’t and stop you will be buying presidentes for em...

 

[USA DOC]

I’ve been using my expired lic.down here 10yrs

Now that is very common..............

 

[USA DOC]

If you are a scuba diver Punta Rucia is about the best..................

 

[lifeisgreat]

If you are a scuba diver Punta Rucia is about the best..................

It is ,many trips to paradise island over yrs..

 

[Michael DR]

Hello,

Got 16 nights in DR in 2nd half of January and I'm trying to prepare some sort of itinerary...

I like hiking and clean, deserted natural beaches (no sunbeds, bars etc.), no partying whatsoever...

I'll arrive in the evening (PUJ) and spent first night in Punta Cana village + next 2 nights in Bayahibe, after that I would head north (will have rental car all the time)

I intend to spend most of time in Samana, however, since I have 16 days I was thinking that I could maybe add some other place(s) in the north before I got there.

Anyway, I'd like to ask, is this area worth a visit from a "natural beaches and hiking" point of view ? Since it'll be kinda detour from south to the Samana..:

My last question, guess related mainly to the Monte Cristi: should I be concerned more about safety than in other towns in DR ? Im asking because close proximity to the haitian borders and current situation overall...

Many thanks for your help

Looks like a fun roadtrip!

Be careful with the driving, it's more dangerous than it looks

I would not be concerned about the border tons being dangerous and ANY place that you think you want to visit is worth the time and the trip, although it's the journey, and the company on it, that's most important!

 

[USA DOC]

It is ,many trips to paradise island over yrs..

yes and that big reef in front of paradise island, that runs down the coast...........

 

[kptmorgan]

Thanks everyone for all the useful information and tips ! But sadly, due to the current curfew rules, I had to cancel the Monte Cristi / Punta Rucia part... It just won't fit into my itinerary, not in some comfortable way...

My flight is scheduled in a few days and I'm trying to re-plan everything... Maybe I'll cancel the whole trip to DR :-(

 

[JD Jones]

Thanks everyone for all the useful information and tips ! But sadly, due to the current curfew rules, I had to cancel the Monte Cristi / Punta Rucia part... It just won't fit into my itinerary, not in some comfortable way...

My flight is scheduled in a few days and I'm trying to re-plan everything... Maybe I'll cancel the whole trip to DR :-(

If it were me I would. Not the end of the world.