There are several forms of transportation you can take to, from
and around Cabarete, and choosing the best one depends on your budget
and the amount of time you have to get to your destination. The
following is a list of those options, where they travel, and an
idea of their costs.
Taxi
Taxis are definitely one of the most comfortable ways to travel
in this country. They tend to be spacious and comfortable, air-conditioned
vans. The drivers seem to be more conscious of safety than the
drivers
of the other forms of transportation. Although few speak a lot
of English, they can still provide recommendations and are good
travel
guides to many of the surrounding areas. Rates for most destinations
are posted at the taxi stands. In the tourist areas of the north
coast, rates are in US$ but you can pay in DR$ at the day's exchange
rate. Here is a list of the most common fares.
Taxi Fares:
Public Transportation
There are four types of public transportation - Guaguas, Caro Publicos,
Motoconchos and Buses. They are all quite reasonably priced and
choosing the right one depends on your specific transportation needs
– speed, comfort, length of travel time and destination.
Guagua
Public transportation within, and between towns and villages,
is for the most part conducted in privately owned mini-vans, called
Guaguas. They’re easy to recognize because they’ll push
their horn as they approach, and the driver’s assistant,
the Cobrador (fare collector), is likely to be hanging out of
the side door waving you in. This form of transport is quite cheap
but the vehicles tend to be in poor condition - broken windows,
doors that don’t close properly, etc. These mini-vans normally
hold 12 passengers but occasionally they will carry up to 20 people,
a chicken or two, and who knows what else! They stop anywhere
and everywhere along the main road to drop off passengers and
pick more up. Taking this kind of journey is always an adventure.
They tend to try to cheat tourists on the fare so make sure you
confirm the rate before you get in.
The fare anywhere on the main road from Cabarete to Sosua is
RD$20, and to Puerto Plata is RD$40 to 50. Try to have the correct amount of Pesos as they (cobradores) are unlikely
to have change.
Caro Publico
These are multi-passenger public cars that tend to have signs
on the car roof indicating their route (for example, Puerto Plata).
They will honk as they approach you and you can let them know
you’d like transport by waving them over. They will fill
their cars over capacity for example, 4 in the front and 4 in
the back, and they charge per person. If you desire to ride more
comfortably, you can pay for two persons’ fare and try to
get a seat to yourself. Caro Publicos have fixed routes so you
check that your destination is on their route before getting in.
Anywhere on the main road from Cabarete to Sosua is RD$20. If you are going on to Puerto Plata, you'll have to change corro publicos in Sosua. From Sosua to Puerto Plata it is another RD$35. Try
to have the correct amount of Pesos as they are unlikely to have
change.
Motoconcho
A unique form of transport in the Dominican Republic is the Motoconcho.
These are rides on the back of privately owned motor bikes. You’ll
have no problem recognizing them because they’re likely to
recognize you first. If you’re on the side of the road, they’ll
hold up their hand and beep their horn as they approach you to
give you a ride. These are quite popular for short trips, especially
within Cabarete. They will also go long distances but riding on
a motor bike can be dangerous and nobody wears helmets here.
Anywhere on the main road within Cabarete is RD$20. Try to have
the correct amount of Pesos as they are unlikely to have change. Prices
for public transport – Guaguas, Caro Publicos and particularly
Motoconchos, usually double at sunset (starting between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.).
Bus
There are 2 major bus companies in the country and they both drive
air-conditioned and comfortable 52-seat buses. Their rates are quite
reasonable as well. Recently, both had extended their route all the way to Cabarete but these have been suspended because of the taxi and public transportation unions. So, you will have to take a taxi or public transport from their final destination
terminal. For this reason, we recommend that you take Caribe Tours
because it’s last terminal is based in Sosua, just 15 minutes
from Cabarete. You can also take Metro Bus,
but their last terminals are based in Puerto Plata, a 45 minutes
drive from Cabarete.
Bus Schedules & Rates
Caribe Tours
From Santo Domingo to Cabarete
(NOTICE: The route between Cabarete
and Sosua has been suspended until further notice)
Cost: RD $250
Duration: 4 and 1/2 to 5 hours
From Santiago to Sosua or Cabarete: RD $100
Route: Santo Domingo - La Vega - Santiago - Puerto Plata - Sosua - Cabarete
Departure Times
Morning (AM)
Afternoon (PM)
For Cabarete and Sosua
7:00
9:00
11:00
12:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
For Sosua only
6:00
8:00
10:00
1:00
5:00
6:00
7:00
Stopover in Santiago
8:30
9:30
10:30
11:30
12:30
1:30pm
2:30
3:30
4:30
5:30
6:30
7:30
8:30
9:30
Approximate arrival in Sosua (add 15 minutes for Cabarete)
10:30
11:30
12:30
1:30pm
2:30pm
3:30pm
4:30
5:30
6:30
7:30
8:30
9:30
10:30
11:30
From Cabarete to Santo Domingo(NOTICE: The route between Cabarete
and Sosua has been suspended until further notice)
Cost: RD $250
Duration: 4 and 1/2 to 5 hours
From Sosua or Cabarete to Santiago: RD $100
Route: Cabarete - Sosua - Puerto Plata - Santiago - La Vega - Santo Domingo
Departure Times
Morning (AM)
Afternoon (PM)
From Cabarete
6:00
8:00
10:00
12:00
2:00
4:00
6:00
From Sosua
5:15
6:20
7:20
8:20
9:20
10:20
11:20
12:20
1:20
2:20
3:20
4:20
5:20
6:20
Stopover in Santiago
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00pm
1:00pm
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
Approximate arrival in Santo Domingo
10:00
11:00
12:00pm
1:00pm
2:00pm
3:00pm
4:00pm
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
Metro
Cost from Santo Domingo to Cabarete: RD$300
Duration: 4 and 1/2 to 5 hours
Route: Route: Santo Domingo - Santiago - Puerto Plata - Sosua - Cabarete
Departure Schedule: 7am, 11am, 4pm.
Cost from Cabarete to Santo Domingo: RD$300
Duration: 4 and 1/2 to 5 hours
Route: Cabarete - Sosua - Puerto Plata - Santiago -Santo Domingo
Departure Schedule: 8am, 1pm, 5:30pm.
Car Rental
You can rent a car at the airport. We work with Hispniola.com and TravelPN.com to give you the best rates available. Simply fill out the for below for the best rates. Or, you can check out a list of businesses that rent vehicles in Cabarete.
Pick-up date
Drop-off date
Internal Flights
There is one company that has internal flights. Routes are between Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, and between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. There is no direct flight between Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo. Go to takeoffweb.com for more info.
