Country Guides
Dominican Republic
Getting Around
Getting Around
Dominican Republic
Getting Around by Air
Air Santo Domingo runs regular flights between Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samaná, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. Planes may also be chartered.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. There is a reasonable network of roads, including the Sanchez Highway running westwards from Santo Domingo to Elias Pina on the Haitian frontier; the Mella Highway extending eastwards from Santo Domingo to Higuey in the southeast and the Duarte Highway running north and west from Santo Domingo to Santiago and to Monte Cristi on the northwest coast. Not all roads in the Dominican Republic are all-weather and 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for wet weather. Checkpoints near military installations are ubiquitous, though no serious difficulties have been reported (those near the Haitian border are most likely to be sensitive). Keep doors and windows locked at all times. Driving at night is not recommended because of poor lighting and and signage.
Bus: Cheap and efficient air-conditioned bus and coach services run from the capital to other major towns.
Taxi: Travellers are advised to hire tourist taxis or radio taxis that can be arranged in advance. Avoid unmarked taxis.
Car hire: There are several car hire companies in Santo Domingo. The minimum age for car hire is 25. A credit card is required for car hire transactions. Insurance is compulsory.
Regulations: The speed limit is up to 60kph (38mph) in cities and 80-100kph (50-63mph) on motorways. Seat belts are legally required to be worn.
Documentation: A national or International Driving Permit is accepted, but is only valid for 90 days.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Santo Domingo has flat-fare bus and minibus services, and an estimated 7,000 share-taxis called Carro de Conchos. These operate a 24-hour service in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Hotel taxis are also available. In old Santo Domingo, the streets are narrow with blind corners, so care should be taken, particularly as Dominican drivers have a tendency to use their horns rather than their brakes. Horse-drawn carriages are available for hire in tourist areas for tours around parks and plazas.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Santo Domingo to other major cities and towns in the Dominican Republic.
Air Road Puerto Plata 0.45 3.15 Samaná 0.35 3.30 La Romana 0.25 3.30 Barahona - 3.30
Getting Around by Air
Air Santo Domingo runs regular flights between Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samaná, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. Planes may also be chartered.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. There is a reasonable network of roads, including the Sanchez Highway running westwards from Santo Domingo to Elias Pina on the Haitian frontier; the Mella Highway extending eastwards from Santo Domingo to Higuey in the southeast and the Duarte Highway running north and west from Santo Domingo to Santiago and to Monte Cristi on the northwest coast. Not all roads in the Dominican Republic are all-weather and 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for wet weather. Checkpoints near military installations are ubiquitous, though no serious difficulties have been reported (those near the Haitian border are most likely to be sensitive). Keep doors and windows locked at all times. Driving at night is not recommended because of poor lighting and and signage.
Bus: Cheap and efficient air-conditioned bus and coach services run from the capital to other major towns.
Taxi: Travellers are advised to hire tourist taxis or radio taxis that can be arranged in advance. Avoid unmarked taxis.
Car hire: There are several car hire companies in Santo Domingo. The minimum age for car hire is 25. A credit card is required for car hire transactions. Insurance is compulsory.
Regulations: The speed limit is up to 60kph (38mph) in cities and 80-100kph (50-63mph) on motorways. Seat belts are legally required to be worn.
Documentation: A national or International Driving Permit is accepted, but is only valid for 90 days.
Bus: Cheap and efficient air-conditioned bus and coach services run from the capital to other major towns.
Taxi: Travellers are advised to hire tourist taxis or radio taxis that can be arranged in advance. Avoid unmarked taxis.
Car hire: There are several car hire companies in Santo Domingo. The minimum age for car hire is 25. A credit card is required for car hire transactions. Insurance is compulsory.
Regulations: The speed limit is up to 60kph (38mph) in cities and 80-100kph (50-63mph) on motorways. Seat belts are legally required to be worn.
Documentation: A national or International Driving Permit is accepted, but is only valid for 90 days.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Santo Domingo has flat-fare bus and minibus services, and an estimated 7,000 share-taxis called Carro de Conchos. These operate a 24-hour service in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Hotel taxis are also available. In old Santo Domingo, the streets are narrow with blind corners, so care should be taken, particularly as Dominican drivers have a tendency to use their horns rather than their brakes. Horse-drawn carriages are available for hire in tourist areas for tours around parks and plazas.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Santo Domingo to other major cities and towns in the Dominican Republic.
| Air | Road | |
| Puerto Plata | 0.45 | 3.15 |
| Samaná | 0.35 | 3.30 |
| La Romana | 0.25 | 3.30 |
| Barahona | - | 3.30 |
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