Private taxis
Private taxis (see telephone numbers in Yellow Pages) are available 24 hours a day in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Hotel taxis are also available at the larger hotels around the clock. The companies will tell you what the rate should be, but for inter-city travel this will usually be about RD$50 per trip. Dominican taxis do not use fare meters. Instead, there are flat rates for each destination. Always confirm the rate with the driver prior to departing or you may be charged an inflated price.
Publicos
Publicos are regular cars that serve as multi-passenger taxis, found mainly in the large cities. They will charge you about RD$5.00 for a short route. If you stay on, they will charge you again. The publico drivers may pack two passengers in the front seat and four in the back, regardless of the size of the car.
Motoconchos
Motorcycle taxis are an inexpensive way to get to your destination fast, but they are also the most risky of transportation options.
Bus Service
Large metropolitan transport buses in Santo Domingo and Santiago cover the longer city routes for RD$3.00 fares.
Minibuses zip in and out of city neighborhoods and go from one town to another for a tenth of the cost of a taxi. Depending on the hour, the drivers may pack in twice as many people as the capacity of the vehicle.
Metro and Caribe Tours provide coach transportation service between Santo Domingo and major cities.
Car Rentals
Major car rental companies have airport, hotel and city locations. Do not cut corners when choosing your rental car service. Also take out the extra insurance plan that is available. If you suffer an accident that dents your car, for instance, the insurance will prevent delays or hassles. All you will have to do is visit the nearest police station and declare the accident. To do so, have the other party accompany you, or just take his name, insurance company, license number, cedula and car registration (license plate) number. A valid driver's license and major credit card is required to rent a car for up to 90 days. You must be at least 25 years old.
Driving is on the right hand side and the speed limit is 60 kph in the cities and up to 100 kph on the highways, unless otherwise indicated. Getting around the DR is easy on a network of highways that branch out from Santo Domingo, the capital city. Roads inside towns and cities may not be in perfect condition so watch for large holes and oversized speed bumps.
Domestic travel times
- Santo Domingo-Puerto Plata 3-1/2 hour
- Santo Domingo-Santiago 1-1/2 hour
- Santo Domingo-Jarabacoa 1-1/2 hour
- Santo Domingo-Boca Chica 1/2 hour
- Santo Domingo-Juan Dolio ¾ hour
- Santo Domingo-Bayahibe 2-1/2 hour
- Santo Domingo-La Romana 2 hours
- Santo Domingo-Punta Cana 3-1/2 hours
- Santo Domingo-Samana 3-1/2 hour
- Puerto Plata-Samana 3-1/2 hour
- Santo Domingo-Barahona 3 hours
The government is expanding several national highways. Once these are completed in summer 2001, commuting times to Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana, Juan Dolio and Bayahibe will be significantly reduced.
Domestic air travel
Air Santo Domingo. Charter companies operate out of Herrera International Airport in Santo Domingo and other large airports.
