Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TO/FROM THE AIRPORT
There are no buses that connect directly to either of Santo Domingo's airports. From Las
Américas, a taxi into the city costs US$40, with little room for negotiation -
Taxi Sichala
(
809-549-0245;
www.taxisichala.com
)
is the controlling syndicate (credit cards accepted).
The trip is a solid half-hour (26km). If other travelers arrive when you do, try sharing a
ride. If flexible, carrying a light pack and prioritizing cost over comfort, you can walk
around 100m to the right of baggage claim and grab a
motoconcho
(RD$100) to take you
to a
guagua
(minivan) stop on the highway.
Some taxis may be willing to take you from the city to the airport for less. Or grab any
eastbound
guagua
from the city and get off at the airport turnoff (it's a regular stop on
these routes); a pack of
motoconchos
will be waiting to ferry you the remaining kilometer
or two.
The fare from La Isabela is more reasonable at US$15. There's no permanent taxi stand
there, but at least one or two taxis meet every flight.
CAR
Driving in Santo Domingo can challenge the nerves and test the skills of the most battle-
hardened driver. Heavy traffic, aggressive drivers, especially taxis and buses, and little at-
tention to, or enforcement of, rules means it's a free-for-all. Many of the city's major av-
enues are gridlocked during rush hour and you're better off walking.
Finding parking is not typically a problem, though if you are leaving your car
overnight, ask around for a parking lot. Many midrange and top-end hotels have parking
with 24-hour guards. In any case, be sure not to leave any valuables inside your car.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Bus
The cost of a bus ride from one end of the city to the other is around RD$12 (6:30am to
9:30pm). Most stops are marked with a sign and the word
parada
(stop). The routes tend
to follow major thoroughfares - in the Zona Colonial, Parque Independencia is where Av
Bolivar (the main westbound avenue) begins and Av Independencia (the main eastbound
avenue) ends. If you're trying to get across town, just look at a map and note the major in-
tersections along the way and plan your transfers accordingly.
Metro
Caribbean islands and underground metros usually don't appear to go together, but in
January 2009 Santo Domingo joined San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the second city in the re-
