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By Taxi

Taxis, which are government regulated, line up outside hotels and restaurants. They're unmetered, and the minimum fare within Santo Domingo is about $4, but you can bargain for less if you order a taxi away from the major hotels. Though they are more expensive, hotel taxis are the nicest and the safest option. Freelance taxis aren't allowed to pick up from hotels, so they hang out on the street in front of them. They can be half the cost per ride depending on the distance. By all means, avoid unmarked street taxis, particularly in Santo Domingo. Carry some small bills, because drivers rarely seem to have change.

Recommendable radio-taxi companies in Santo Domingo are Tecni-Taxi (which also operates in Puerto Plata) and Apolo. Tecni is the cheapest, quoting RD$80 as a minimum per trip, Apolo RD$90. Hiring a taxi by the hour -- with unlimited stops and a minimum of two hours -- is often a better option if you're doing a substantial sightseeing trip. Tecni charges RD$240 per hour but will offer hourly rates only before 6 PM; Apolo charges RD$280 per hour, day or night. When booking an hourly rate, be sure to establish clearly the time that you start. Prices in Punta Cana have become outrageous, and it's not unheard of to be charged US$150 for three hours if you book through your resort's concierge. At Plaza Bavaro shopping center, where many taxis are standing around, and especially if you can negotiate in Spanish, you can get one for a fraction of that price.

You can use taxis to travel to out-of-town destinations at quoted rates. Check with your hotel or the dispatcher at the airport. For example, from Santo Domingo the price is $80 to go to Casa de Campo (though Tecni charges only $60). If you book through your hotel concierge, it will be $100 to $120.

Taxi-Queen is the company that works through the Santiago hotels. Drivers have passed security checks and wear their ID tags around their necks. Their cars are not wonderful, and they are unlikely to speak English, but their prices are especially reasonable. Also, they will take you the distance to Sosúa for $45 and Cabarete for $10 more. The going rate for a taxi between Sosúa and Cabarete is $12. However, the rate is the same for one or five persons, night or day. Taxi-Tourismo, the company that services the Cibao Airport in Santiago, charges $80 to Sosúa, $90 to Cabarete, but has safer, more commodious vehicles, mostly SUVs and minivans.

Information

Apolo Taxi (809/537-0000; 809/537-1245 for a limo, must be booked far in advance). Taxi-Cabarete (809/571-0767 in Cabarete). Taxi-Queen (809/570-0000; 809/233-3333 in Santiago). Taxi-Sosua (809/571-3097 in Sosúa). Taxi-Tourismo (809/829-3007 in Santiago). Tecni-Taxi (809/567-2010; 809/566-7272 in Santo Domingo; 809/320-7621 in Puerto Plata).