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Transportation.
Or use the travel agent that I use: Corrine Smith of Independence Travel
216-447-9950, 216-447-0090/fax
She routinely gets tickets at
10% below the lowest published fare.
Travel by Air.
There are numerous charter flights from the USA, Canada, and Europe. Information
From the USA, regularly scheduled flights come from Miami, San Juan, Newark,
JFK, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.
Miami - American Airlines (to SDQ, LRM, POP).
San Juan - American Airlines (to SDQ, PUJ, LRM, POP)
Newark - Continental Airlines (to SDQ, POP)
New York JFK - American Airlines (to SDQ, POP), TWA (to SDQ, POP)
Minneapolis - Northwest Airlines (to POP)
Philidelphia - USAir (to SDQ)
Santo Domingo Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Las Americas)
La Romana Airport
Punta Cana Airport
Boca Chica Map
Other Dominican Republic Maps
Motoconcho.
The most popular way to get around town in Boca Chica is the Motoconcho, or
Motor-Taxi. There are hundreds of young Dominican men that earn their
money by transporting tourists around town on 100-125cc motorcycles. These
are very convenient for short distances, usually 8 blocks or less. The
cost is fixed at RD$10(US$0.59) per person per stop. These rates apply from anywhere in
Boca Chica to anywhere else in Boca Chica.
Be careful. It is not uncommon to see 3 people on one of the bikes at
the same time (driver and 2 passengers) but anything more than that starts to
push the limits of safety.
Travel times by auto.
Boca Chica is 10 min by car east of
Santo Domingo Airport. airline symbol SDQ.
Boca Chica is 1 hr 45 min by car west of La Romana airport, airline symbol LRM.
Boca Chica is 4 hrs by car west of Punta Cana airport, airline symbol PUJ.
Boca Chica is 4 hrs by car south of Puerto Plata airport, airline symbol POP.
Ground Transportation.
A taxi from Santo Domingo Airport costs RD$250 (US$15.00). As you exit
the customs area of the airport, you will undoubted receive numerous offers for
transportation. Any taxi will do. Just remember that each person
that assists in any small way will expect a tip, even if all they did was open
the door for you. Don't let them pressure you into paying too much for
luggage handling. As a general rule, tip US$1-2 per bag, with a $2 minimum
and a $5 maximum.
Click to enlarge taxi sign with rates as of July 2003.
Guides and Private
Transportation.
Rafael Silva - Taxi Tours RS
(809) 330-1262
www.geocities.com/rasilm/My_page
http://www.taxirs.homestead.com
r.silva@BocaChicaBeach.net
Travel by Car.
Note that travel times can vary considerably depending on traffic.
Santo Domingo-Puerto Plata, 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 hours.
Santo Domingo-Punta Cana, 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 hours.
Santo Domingo-Boca Chica, 25 - 60 minutes (edge of city), 45 - 80 minutes
(downtown).
Santo Domingo-Juan Dolio, 45 - 90 minutes (edge of city), 60 - 100 minutes
(downtown).
Santo Domingo-La Romana, 1 hour 45 minutes - 2 hours.
Santo Domingo-Samana, 4 hours.
Santo Domingo-Barahona 3 hours.
Santo Domingo-Jarabacoa, 2 hours.
Santo Domingo-Santiago, 2 hours.
Rental Cars.
Rental cars can be found at large hotels and at the airport. Consider
using only well-known international franchises. Many of the smaller
companies do not maintain their vehicles well and you don't want to break down
some place out in the country. Also consider that credit card insurance
usually does not cover the vehicle when driven on unpaved roads, which you will
undoubtedly encounter if you drive anywhere off the main roads. Finally,
if you are involved in an accident, especially if somebody gets hurt, you will
likely go to jail and not be permitted to leave the country until any pending
civil action is finished.
National Car Rental
Avis
Dominican Republic Car
Rental Guide
Car Rental Price Comparison (Use
cities codes listed at the top of this page)
McDeal rent-a-car
There are also small places such as this business that rent cars and
motorcycles, typically older vehicles, at competitive prices.
Bus.
The easiest and safest way to cross the Dominican Republic is by bus.
The busses are clean, heavily air conditioned, have plush comfortable seats, and
are very affordable. This is the best way to travel between major
cities. Note that sometimes loud music is played on board and they often
over do it with the air conditioning.
There are two companies that are equally good - Caribe Tours and Metro
Express. They operate 7 days a week, departing approximately every hour
from 7am to 7pm. Any taxi can take you to the nearest station.
Expect a trip such as the 4 hour journey from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata
(includes a short stop in Santiago) to cost approximately US$6.
Metro Expreso (809) 566-7126.
Caribe Tours (809) 221-4422 (caribetours.com.do)
Tansfer between Santo
Domingo and Punta Cana
Domestic Air Transportation.
Click on the above web site for E-mail, flight schedules, fax, and other
contact info.
Air Santo Domingo is the first private aviation company to offer regular flights
to major airports in the country:
Domestic.
Santo Domingo / Herrera (HEX)
Puerto Plata (POP)
Punta Cana (PUJ)
El Portillo (EPS)
Samaná (ABA)
By special arrangement
La Romana (LRM)
Barahona
International.
San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
Tickets can be purchased by phone or at the airport.
Typical price: Puerto Plata to Punta Cana - one way - US$45.
More
information about air transportation within the Dominican Republic
Entry Requirements.
On entry, most tourists will be required to purchase a tourist card, which costs
US$10. In the USA, these can be purchased at the gate or ticket counter at
the final departure city (Miami, Newark, San Juan, etc.). Check with your
airline at check-in. If you are unable to purchase a tourist card at the
airport, don't worry. They can also be purchased at a small booth located
just before you pass through Dominican Immigration. Don't forget to bring
a pen, since it might not be easy to borrow one. Visitors will also be
asked to fill out a customs form, which will be given to passengers on board the
aircraft.
Dominican Tourist Card (new and old versions) and both sides of Dominican Customs Form.
More on
Entry Requirements
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