Dominican Republic (DO)
The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's most visited destination — a lively Spanish-speaking nation sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
Getting Around
Transport options for living in Dominican Republic.
Public Transport Overview
Santo Domingo has a Metro system (2 lines, approximately 38 stations as of February 2026, RD$20/ride) — clean, air-conditioned, and the most reliable option for central city commuting. Line 2 was extended westward in February 2026 (limited service on new 7.3 km section to Pablo Adón Guzmán). Beyond the metro, public transport is informal: guaguas (minibuses, RD$25–80) are the main intercity mode; carros públicos (shared taxis on fixed routes, RD$25–50) handle urban hops; motoconchos (motorcycle taxis, RD$50–150) dominate smaller towns. Long-distance coaches (Caribe Tours, Metro Bus, RD$250–600) are air-conditioned and recommended between major cities. Expats outside Santo Domingo typically rely on private cars, Uber, or InDriver for daily life.
🎫 Transit Passes
Metro Line 1 (north–south) and Line 2 (east–west) within Santo Domingo
Taxi & Rideshare
Traditional taxis require fare negotiation before boarding — always agree the price upfront. Hotel taxis are reliable but 2–3× street rates. Licensed APRA taxis have yellow licence plates. Typical fares in Santo Domingo: RD$200–600 for city trips. Airport taxis (SDQ to city centre): RD$800–1,200.
Rideshare (Long-distance)
Uber and InDriver are available in Santo Domingo and Santiago. InDriver allows fare negotiation with drivers — useful for getting lower prices. Availability is limited in tourist areas like Punta Cana and Cabarete. Both apps require mobile data and a Dominican or international phone number.
Cycling
Cycling infrastructure is minimal and road safety is a concern. Santo Domingo has no dedicated cycle lanes. Cycling in cities is risky due to traffic density, poor road surfaces, and motoconcho weaving. In quieter areas (Jarabacoa, Cabarete beach road) cycling is more feasible. Not recommended as a primary commuting mode in urban DR.
Intercity Trains
No passenger rail service in the Dominican Republic. All intercity travel is by road (bus, car) or air. The Santo Domingo Metro is the only rail system in the country and is limited to within the capital. For intercity trips, use Caribe Tours or Metro Bus coaches.
Driving
Drives on the right. Speed limits: 40 km/h in urban areas, 80–100 km/h on main highways. Foreign driver's licences are valid for 30 days from date of entry. After 30 days, obtain a Dominican licence from INTRANT (government fee RD$2,000–3,000). International Driving Permit is recognised but not required within the 30-day window. Traffic in Santo Domingo is notoriously congested — avoid rush hours (7–9am and 5–8pm). Road conditions vary significantly; many rural roads are unpaved. Motoconchos weave unpredictably — extra vigilance at intersections. Police checkpoints (operativos) are common — keep documents accessible. GPS (Google Maps/Waze) is essential. Avoid driving in flooded streets during rain.
Airports
Las Américas International Airport (SDQ, 30km east of Santo Domingo): OMSA express bus (RD$50), taxis (RD$800–1,200 to city), Uber/InDriver (RD$500–800). Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ, 260km east of SDQ): pre-arranged resort shuttles are the norm; taxis RD$600–1,500 to hotel zone. Gregorio Luperón International (POP, Puerto Plata): taxis to city RD$400–600. El Catey International (AZS, Samaná area): taxis and hotel transfers; car rental recommended for peninsula travel.