Transportation
On
The Road:
Road conditions in the Dominican Republic vary greatly. On major
roads or highways the conditions are fairly good and getting around
is pretty easy. On the other hand secondary roads can range from
good to virtually non-existant. Under any circumstane caution
is advised when traveling on the roads. Dominicans tend to ignore
many driving rules, roads can have unexpected problems, or things
may just be laying in the road! So be careful when driving around
the Dominican Republic.
Car
Rental:
If you feel the need to drive in the Dominican Republic there
are plenty of car rental agencies to be found. Rental agencies
can be found in larger cities and and the nicer hotels. Be aware
that the rates can be high. Make sure you take out insurance since
car theft is a problem, and accidents do happen. A little bit
of caution will help to make sure your trips is safe and enjoyable.
Taxi-service:
Taxi service can be found throughout the Dominican Republic. Since
there are few if any taxi meters negotiating a price is a must.
Don't wait till you arrive at your destination before talking
about cost. You should negotiate a price prior to leaving anywhere
in a taxi. If you don't know what is reasonable, ask someone at
the school or the hotel where you are staying. They will be more
than happy to help you.
Public
Transportation:
The other option for getting around the Dominican Republic is
by bus. For longer hauls you can take a ride on a bus operated
by major commercial operators. These buses are comfortable and
get you from point to point quickly.
However many of the buses you
will encounter are actually small vans or old buses. They are
the cheapest and everyone uses them. They do however stop everywhere
and can get very crowded. The are great for short distances but
can get very uncomfortable for a longer haul.
Sightseeing
Tours:
If you like there are some companies that offer sightseeing tours.
If you are in a hurry this can be a good option to see parts of
the country. However if you are at all independent getting around
to sites of interest can be done on your own.
