Transportation
Motoconchos
From the moment of arrival until the moment of departure volunteers will be asked one question (multiple times) - “moto taxi?” While the plethora of ‘motoconchos’ (motorcycle taxis) makes transport convenient, DREAM does not permit Summer camp volunteers to take them for safety reasons. DREAM takes this rule very seriously and violation is grounds for dismissal. There are countless accidents and there are other options.
Guaguas
A guagua is public transport in a van and usually packed with people. Often, a guy hangs out the side door (cobrador) and the driver honks at you. Guaguas travel from Rio San Juan to Puerto Plata. Guaguas usually stop running after 6 or 7 o’clock. Costs are as follows:
Anywhere in Cabarete: 15 RD
Sosua: 15-20 minutes west of Cabarete; 25 RD
Puerto Plata: 50 minutes west of Cabarete; 60 RD
Sabaneta: 15 minutes east of Cabarete; 25 RD
Gaspar Hernandez: 30 minutes east of Cabarete; 35 RD
Rio San Juan: 50 minutes east of Cabarete; 50 RD
Carro Publico
A carro publico is a multi-passenger car with a blue and white or a red and white sign on the roof, not to be confused with the more expensive taxi cars with yellow signs. They usually travel from Sosua to Gaspar Hernandez. Costs are normally the same as guaguas (or slightly higher), but more at night. A backwards wave will hail a guagua or a carro publico. If the car or van is too full then you might get a regular wave by the driver in response.
Sosua: 30 RD – 50 RD after dark
*Puerto Plata: 60 RD
*Puerto Plata after dark: 95 RD
* to go to Puerto Plata, you must CHANGE cars in Sosua so you pay part of it to Sosua and the rest to Puerto Plata
Buses
If volunteers wish to travel to Santiago or Santo Domingo there are two reliable public bus services, Metro or Caribe Tours (from Sosua). Both companies have large buses with air-conditioning (bring a sweater) and both have a route to Santo Domingo that stops in Santiago (unless you take the expreso on caribe tours). Caribe Tours shows movies (sometimes) and is cheaper, but is more crowded than Metro Tours. It is usually 4 ½ hours from Cabarete to Santo Domingo. Check the Active Cabarete website for more information http://www.activecabarete.com
Metro station in Sosua: 809-571-1324; Caribe Tours in Sosua: 809-571-3808
Taxis
Private taxis are the most expensive way to travel. There is a taxi stand in Cabarete to the west of Iguana Mama, but before Telecabarete on the same side of the street. They list prices for various destinations, but you may bargain for a cheaper price. For instance, if the sign says $15 one way to Puerto Plata, you can probably get the fare for $10. Reminder: prices change. Check the taxi stand. For your convenience we have listed several phone numbers of taxi drivers below.
Marino:809-844-7448 Negro Jiménez:809-974-8368/ 809-739-0764
Moreno Jiménez:809-858-0056/ 809-739-0764; Cabarete:809-571-9767/809-571-0824
Car/Moto Bike Rentals
DREAM does not advise renting a bike or car from an unknown rental agency. DREAM recommends Universal and Friendly’s as reputable companies. There are rental companies in the area that have been known to make fraudulent charges on cards and make extra keys to things like bikes, so take precaution and ask around before renting. Moto Rentals are prohibited by DREAM and Car rentals average around $40 US per day.
From the moment of arrival until the moment of departure volunteers will be asked one question (multiple times) - “moto taxi?” While the plethora of ‘motoconchos’ (motorcycle taxis) makes transport convenient, DREAM does not permit Summer camp volunteers to take them for safety reasons. DREAM takes this rule very seriously and violation is grounds for dismissal. There are countless accidents and there are other options.
Guaguas
A guagua is public transport in a van and usually packed with people. Often, a guy hangs out the side door (cobrador) and the driver honks at you. Guaguas travel from Rio San Juan to Puerto Plata. Guaguas usually stop running after 6 or 7 o’clock. Costs are as follows:
Anywhere in Cabarete: 15 RD
Sosua: 15-20 minutes west of Cabarete; 25 RD
Puerto Plata: 50 minutes west of Cabarete; 60 RD
Sabaneta: 15 minutes east of Cabarete; 25 RD
Gaspar Hernandez: 30 minutes east of Cabarete; 35 RD
Rio San Juan: 50 minutes east of Cabarete; 50 RD
Carro Publico
A carro publico is a multi-passenger car with a blue and white or a red and white sign on the roof, not to be confused with the more expensive taxi cars with yellow signs. They usually travel from Sosua to Gaspar Hernandez. Costs are normally the same as guaguas (or slightly higher), but more at night. A backwards wave will hail a guagua or a carro publico. If the car or van is too full then you might get a regular wave by the driver in response.
Sosua: 30 RD – 50 RD after dark
*Puerto Plata: 60 RD
*Puerto Plata after dark: 95 RD
* to go to Puerto Plata, you must CHANGE cars in Sosua so you pay part of it to Sosua and the rest to Puerto Plata
Buses
If volunteers wish to travel to Santiago or Santo Domingo there are two reliable public bus services, Metro or Caribe Tours (from Sosua). Both companies have large buses with air-conditioning (bring a sweater) and both have a route to Santo Domingo that stops in Santiago (unless you take the expreso on caribe tours). Caribe Tours shows movies (sometimes) and is cheaper, but is more crowded than Metro Tours. It is usually 4 ½ hours from Cabarete to Santo Domingo. Check the Active Cabarete website for more information http://www.activecabarete.com
Metro station in Sosua: 809-571-1324; Caribe Tours in Sosua: 809-571-3808
Taxis
Private taxis are the most expensive way to travel. There is a taxi stand in Cabarete to the west of Iguana Mama, but before Telecabarete on the same side of the street. They list prices for various destinations, but you may bargain for a cheaper price. For instance, if the sign says $15 one way to Puerto Plata, you can probably get the fare for $10. Reminder: prices change. Check the taxi stand. For your convenience we have listed several phone numbers of taxi drivers below.
Marino:809-844-7448 Negro Jiménez:809-974-8368/ 809-739-0764
Moreno Jiménez:809-858-0056/ 809-739-0764; Cabarete:809-571-9767/809-571-0824
Car/Moto Bike Rentals
DREAM does not advise renting a bike or car from an unknown rental agency. DREAM recommends Universal and Friendly’s as reputable companies. There are rental companies in the area that have been known to make fraudulent charges on cards and make extra keys to things like bikes, so take precaution and ask around before renting. Moto Rentals are prohibited by DREAM and Car rentals average around $40 US per day.