North Coast - Dominican Republic - page 334

For Puerto Plata, take any Santiago-bound guagua and get off at the junction in Navarrete
(RD$190, 1½ hours, every 20 minutes) to change to another guagua (RD$140, one hour,
every 20 minutes).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Dajabón
POP 25,200
Most foreigners here are on their way to or from Haiti. Every Monday and Friday is the
Haitian market ( 7am-7pm) . When the border bridge opens, Haitians pour across to buy
fruit and vegetables from the DR and sell just about everything else, as well as contraband
(including donations from international organizations, which are sold here wholesale and
then shipped elsewhere in the country). Crowds push and shove wheelbarrows, motor-
cycles burrow through the throng and crates of goods are piled high on women's heads.
With your hands pressed flat at your sides you might be able to wedge yourself further in-
to the covered market.
Two acceptable, though equally problematic options for the night are the four-story Su-
per Hotel Brisol ( 809-579-8703; Calle Padre Santa Anna 18; s/d with fan RD$600/800, with air-con
RD$900/1300; ) , only a few blocks from the border, and the Hotel Raydan (
809-579-7366; [e-mail] ; Av Pablo Reyes 16; r with fan/air-con RD$400/700; ) ,
which has a small patio and restaurant closer to transportation terminals in the center of
town. Expect dim lighting, erratically functioning TV, air-con, wi-fi and hot water pres-
sure at both. Ask to see several rooms before choosing. One of the few eating options with
electricity at night is the modern, cafeteria-style D House Restaurant (mains RD$250;
7am-11pm; ) , whose wraps and sandwiches qualify as fine dining in Dajabón. Vendors
sell grilled corn and hot dogs in the main park.
Several major banks with ATMs are located around a circle at the northern entrance to
town.
Getting There & Away
Reaching the border is simple; coming from Monte Cristi on Hwy 45, as most people do,
you'll come to a huge arch (the formal entrance to town) and a short distance afterward
the Parque Central on the east side of the street. Just past the park is Calle Presidente Hen-
riquez; turn right (west) and the border is six blocks ahead. If you're arriving by Caribe