Public Transportation In The Dominican Republic

Public transportation runs on all main thoroughfares, even in some small towns. You can find these streets on your phone with Google Maps. Just turn on your location, look for the main venues close to you, and plan your route.

Ready?

Only get into cars that have signs with route letters stuck to the side. Flag one down by pointing your finger out towards the pavement. Then, loud and clear, ask the driver “Va pa' _____?" Insert the name of main street close to your destination. Or ask for your destination, if it's on the same street, by asking "Va pa' [eg. Zona Colonial]?"

You'll rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes unless you're attempting to travel during rush hour.

Public cars almost always look full, even outside of rush hour. But they carry four people in the back and two in the front, besides the driver. Just squeeze in quickly. Be prepared to sit on one hip!

Public cars can usually only squeeze in two more passengers. So if you're traveling in a group, look for a guagua. These can be anything from old buses to minivans. They don't always have signage. Talk to the fare-keeper.

Carry Change

The usual fare for a car or a guagua is 50 pesos (about 1 US dollar). Take a pocketful of change with you for contingencies. You’re expected to pay when you board, and to tell the driver where you’re getting off.

If you’re traveling to another location in the Dominican Republic, the most popular private bus company is CaribeTours. Caribetours buses go almost everywhere.

Tickets can be purchased at the bus terminals - just go to the nearest bus terminal and ask for a ticket for the next bus to your destination. The ticket will tell you what time the bus leaves.

Aetra  (from Santo Domingo - Santiago de los Caballeros)

Expreso Bavaro (minibus from Santo Domingo - Punta Cana)

Metro Bus (Santo Domingo - Santiago de los Caballeros - Puerto Plata - Sosua - Port-au-Prince in Haiti)

Javilla Tours (minibus from Santiago de los Caballeros - Puerto Plata and many others)

Note: Almost all major Bus company web pages can be translated into english.

Cross-country bus fares range from 100-600 pesos (US $1.90 - $11.30*), depending on your route.

There are probably a hundred cab companies in the Dominican Republic. You'll recognize them by the small sign on top of the car.

The front desk at your accommodation will call a cab if you ask. Request one with air conditioning and inquire about the fare over the phone to avoid being overcharged later. Typical fares cost anywhere from 250 - 700 pesos (US $4.70 - $13.20*), more if you make more than one stop.

If you’re making a round trip or planning to continue your journey, it's often easier to call the same driver again than to find another taxi. Ask the taxista for his card when he drops you off. If you will only be a short while, you can ask your driver to wait - "Esperame, por favor." For a 10 minute wait, he will charge you about 100 pesos extra (US $1.90*).

If your driver seems flexible, you can ask him about a daily rate. Tell him the places you would like to go and he will quote you a fare from 1000-3000 pesos cash (US $18.90 - $56.50*).

Having a chauffeur that waits for you is just plain awesome, but it’s best to pay him after services rendered.

Uber is like having a chauffeur, only not. They don't wait for you, but they usually arrive a lot quicker than a taxi. You won't have to haggle in Spanish, and payments are automated, making it a great way to get around if you run out of pesos.

To use Uber, just download the app, add your card number, and enter your destination. You'll see the cost before you confirm the ride.  After this, you'll see the driver's face and the make of car to expect. Check both before getting in the car.

Uber is a fraction of the cost of a taxi and runs at all hours of the day and night. Depending on your destination and the number of your group, Uber can even work out cheaper than public cars.