Planes, trains and automobiles - well not quite as there are no train stations in the DR, however there is an excellent bus service, small island aircraft service and gua guas (public buses) as well as car hire companies.

Bus Service

The two main bus companies are Metro (tel: 809 566 7126) and Caribe (tel: 809 221 4422) tours. Both services offer clean, regular and air conditioned buses into each major city and towns throughout the DR. Timetables and costs are printed in all depots and the buses are generally extremely punctual. These buses cannot be flagged down by the roadside and if you are wishing to catch the early bus (usually departing around 6.00am) then a reservation the day before maybe required. Fares are very reasonable and for getting from the north to Santo Domingo (the capital) or vice versa then there is no better way. Plenty of luggage space and toilet facilities on board! Try and get to the bus station an hour before departure to ensure your seat.

Public Buses or Gua Guas

Chugging along or puffing out smoke – you’ll find gua guas running up and down the highways and roads all around the Dominican Republic. An informal bus system, these mini vans, people carriers have all seen better days, however they offer a cheap and somewhat regular bus service too. Cheaper than the Metro and Caribe tours, the gua guas can be flagged down by the side of the road and a young boy will scoop you in and squash you up next to the local goat herder or bank manager. Everyone uses the gua gua system, cosy but not comfortable and a great way to get to know you fellow countrymen in a compact kind of way.
Usually a ride will cost around RD$10 -20 depending on journey length, gua guas can be found running every 20 -30 minutes along the main roads. Usually on public holidays the service is limited and gua guas do not run after dark either….

Public Cars

Can be flagged down by the roadside too. A regular car with a box on the roof saying “Publico” you can spot the cars quite easily as they are normally run down battered old bangers. A public car will squash around 5 people on the back seat and usually 3 people on the front seat. You can pay RD$50 to reserve the front seat for yourself. Expect dare devil driving and break neck speeds, loud music and loss of hair due to your stress levels rising at an abnormal rate on knots!
Public cars travel the main towns and highways from dawn and during dark hours to with journeys usually costing no more than RD$20.

Taxis

Real and regular taxis do exist and can be found outside any hotel or at taxi ranks through towns and cities. There will usually be a tariff displayed on a board outside and they are a great way to get out and about to sight see or venture out to restaurants etc.,.
Agree your price beforehand and your taxi driver will drop you off at your destination, he will come back for you at a specified time (waiting time can be pre arranged at no extra charge) and remember to pay for your journey when you get back. Don’t pay for your return leg of the journey until you have had it! The local taxi drivers are normally great guys and will wait for around 3 hours if you want to go out for dinner!

Motor-Conchos

The cheapest and most popular form of transport for locals but the most dangerous and accident prone! Motorbikes all over the Dominican Republic are used as a taxi service from town to town. Hop on the back and off you go, often you can see Grannies sitting side saddle or a mother with 3 kids dangling off the sides of the bike, builders transporting building goods, ladders, farmers carrying livestock, washing machines – if fact you name it !
A cheap and fast way to get out and about but not recommended. Journeys cost from RD$5 – RD$20. An essential part of local life but as a tourist or bystander just visiting the DR, take your photographs and leave it at that.

Car Rental

Car rental is generally quite expensive in the DR, but you can always book in advance via the internet or the The Real DR car hire section, as most main car hire companies have concessions over here like Hertz, Dollar and National.
Rates are roughly US$45 upwards per day. Do get full collision insurance. Note all dents and scratches before you drive off in you rental car as you surely will be charged for them when you return!
Remember driving over here is on the right hand side of the road and conditions are often quite treacherous, many people do not pay attention to traffic lights/stop signs, over-take when you would not normally even think about it eg.,. round a blind bend, entering a dark tunnel etc.,. and if you are involved in an accident then everyone (even if it is not your fault) is taken away to the local police station for questioning. Sounds like a fun way to spend a couple of days during your week long vacation?
Take care if you hire a car seriously!

Plane

Air Santo Domingo offers an island service which will get you from the north to south and east of the island with journeys lasting no more than an hour. Tel: 809 683 8006.
title txt: Travel essentials - Getting Around