Types of Transport in the Dominican Republic

Motos are the most ubiquitous transport in the DR. Motorcycle taxi drivers wait at every corner, colmado, and intersection. You negotiate a price before you get on, typically $1 to $3 for short rides within town. Most Dominicans use motos daily for quick trips.

Helmets are technically required by law but rarely worn by passengers. Carrying your own helmet for moto use is a sensible practice. They are fast, flexible, and navigate traffic that no car can. Expats in small towns use motos constantly for everything from picking up groceries to getting to the beach.

Guaguas are shared minivans or minibuses that run fixed routes between towns. They depart when full (not on a schedule) and stop frequently to pick up and drop off passengers. There is usually a cobrador (fare collector) who takes your money and shouts the destination out the window to attract passengers.

Guaguas are how most Dominicans travel between towns. They are cheap, frequent on popular routes, and genuine local experiences. Comfort varies from acceptable to very cramped. For routes like Sosua to Cabarete ($0.50 to $1) or Puerto Plata to Santiago ($2 to $3), they are perfectly practical.

Shared cars that run fixed routes within cities, particularly Santo Domingo and Santiago. You flag one down, tell the driver your destination, and if it is on their route they take you. Other passengers are already in the car going to different stops. You pay a flat fee when you get out.

Carros públicos are extremely affordable and how most Dominicans get around within cities. Learning the routes takes time but once you know a few key lines in your city, they are faster than Uber in traffic on short trips. Less chaotic than they first appear.

Uber operates in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, and increasingly other tourist areas. InDriver is a bidding-based app that is popular in smaller cities and sometimes offers better rates than Uber. Both are reliable, air-conditioned, and the most comfortable option for expats unfamiliar with local transport.

Most expats use Uber as their primary transport. Availability can vary during peak hours or bad weather. In Cabarete and Las Terrenas, Uber is available but sometimes slow in the evenings. InDriver is worth having as a backup app. Prices are still cheap by Western standards.

Caribe Tours and Metro are the two main intercity express coach companies. They run scheduled, air-conditioned, comfortable buses between major cities. Caribe Tours covers most of the country including the north coast, Samana Peninsula, and the south. Metro runs a similar network with some different routes.

For longer intercity journeys (SD to Cabarete, SD to Samana, SD to Santiago), these coaches are the best value and most comfortable option. Book ahead for peak travel periods. Terminals are in city centres. Far safer and more comfortable than taking a guagua for long distances.

A car gives you full freedom in the DR, especially important for interior towns, remote areas, and families. Used vehicles are expensive relative to their condition because of DR import duties (vehicles face 20% to 40% duty). A decent used Japanese sedan costs $12,000 to $20,000. Fuel is approximately $1.40 to $1.60 per litre.

Driving in the DR is chaotic by most standards. Traffic laws exist but enforcement is inconsistent. Road conditions vary from good highways to pothole-heavy secondary roads. 4x4 vehicles are genuinely useful for rural areas. Car maintenance is affordable using local mechanics. Budget for insurance, annual plates, and unexpected repairs.

Small domestic airlines connect Santo Domingo with Samana (El Catey airport), La Romana, Puerto Plata, and Punta Cana. The flights are typically 30 to 45 minutes and save hours of ground travel. Particularly useful for getting to the Samana Peninsula, which by road from SD takes 3 or more hours.

Air Century is the main domestic carrier. Charter options also exist. Flights are affordable and the small planes are a scenic way to see the island. Worth considering for trips to Samana that would otherwise require the long peninsula drive.