By Bus in Dominican Republic

By Bus

Privately owned air-conditioned buses are the cheapest way to get around the country. They make regular runs to Santiago, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, and other destinations from Santo Domingo. You can make reservations for Metro Buses, Caribe Tours, and Espresso Bavaro. One-way bus fare from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata is about $7.50, and it takes 3 1/2 hours; the fare to Punta Cana (Bavaro) is also $7.50, and it takes about 3 1/2 hours. Metro's deluxe buses have more of an upscale clientele; although the coffee and cookies are complimentary, there are no movies. Caribe sometimes shows bilingual movies, keeps the air-conditioning frigid, and is favored by locals and families; buses are often filled to capacity, especially on weekends and holidays. They have good, hourly service between Santiago and Puerto Plata and Sosúa. Be forewarned that the bus music will be Dominican-loud.

Espresso Bavaro buses depart from Avenida Máximo Gómez-Plaza Los Girasoles; the buses are not the best, but the price is right and the American movies current. If you're going to one of the Punta Cana resorts, you get off at the stop before the last and take a cab waiting at the taxi stand.

Frequent service from Santo Domingo to the town of La Romana is provided by Express Bus. Buses depart from Ravelo Street, in front of Enriquillo Park, every hour on the hour from 5 AM to 9 PM; the schedule is exactly the same from La Romana, where they leave from Camino Avenue. In Santo Domingo, there's no office and no phone, but a ticket taker will take your $4 just before departure. There's general chaos, a crazy kind of congestion (allow time in a taxi), horns blowing, and diesel fumes, but it all comes together. Don't be dismayed; remember that you're spending $4 instead of $120 on a taxi. Travel time is about 1¾ hours, and if luck is with you, you'll get the larger, Express bus, which might show a first-rate American movie. Once in town you can take a taxi from the bus stop to Casa de Campo ($18), Sunscape Casa del Mar ($25), or Iberostar Dominicus ($30).

Information

Caribe Tours (809/221-4422. www.caribetours.com.do). Espresso Bavaro (809/682-9670). Metro Buses (809/566-7126 in Santo Domingo; 809/586-6062 in Puerto Plata; 809/587-4711 in Santiago).