Backpacking in the DR - it can be done

[Nurit77]

So, I backpacked in South America (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia) for 10 months, and wanted to backpack for a month in the Dominican Republic. A lot of people told me that the DR is not very backpacker friendly, but I found out that it can be done and I wanted to share that information with you, fellow backpackers.:)

Santo Domingo – expensive, don’t bank on paying less than 10 USD per room (if you’re traveling with people, 30 if you’re alone). Also, I didn’t think it was that nice of a city, and the nightlife was a cab ride away. I would not spend more than a day there. When you’re there hang out at Zona Colonial, that’s the nice area. From there we went to Boca Chica (a guagua, which is a public minivan, costs 40 pesos). It’s a nice beach but really touristy, which means we kept being harassed by people wanting to sell us stuff. After seeing the beaches up north – it’s just not worth it. It was also expensive. Hotel rooms / apartments are also around 10-5 USD per person.

Monte Cristi – A Caribe Tours bus from Santo Domingo to Monte Cristi was 300 pesos (around 10 USD). We couldn’t find any hotels online but luckily when we got there we found this really cheap place called Hotel Chic (1 block from the bus station, ask around, everyone knows it). The cheapest room was 400 pesos (around 13 USD). We were three girls sharing a double room with a private bathroom, which was 500 pesos, so we paid less than 5 bucks a night each – that’s the cheapest I have paid in this country. On Friday I would recommend taking a bus / guagua to Dajabon, to see the border market. It’s quite an experience, BUT don’t take any valuables, including camera, carry your money in an inside pocket only and be careful of pickpocketters. Other than that it was awesome. Then we crossed the border with Haiti and walked around. Carry some sort of ID or a copy of your passport for that.
Another thing that Monte Cristi has to offer is the amazing beaches – best beaches I’ve been to in the DR, by far!! You take a motoconcho there (it’s a motorcycle taxi, ask them to go slow “despacio”) for 50 pesos to Moro (breathtaking, many waves, go at sunset) and La Playita (water tranquilo, no waves, secluded, my favorite one).

Bonao – Then I found this amazing place that’s probably the only place in the DR that’s backpacker friendly. It’s called Rancho Wendy and it’s located near Bonao, between Santiago and Santo Domingo. The owners (Marshall and Ramona) are so nice, and it’s like a family. It’s also the only place I know of here that has dormitory rooms (which means you can come alone and still stay cheaply). They cost 7 bucks. There are also private rooms for 15$. They organize hikes and stuff in the mountains around here. The most beautiful one is to go to highest mountain in the DR (Pico Duarte). It’s a four day trek and they give you everything you need (you can do it alone or with a guide). It is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. If you want something a little less demanding there’s a gorgeous waterfall you can go to (Charco Bonito) for a day trip. You can also ride horses, kayak, and all sorts of stuff. Recommended! This is their website: http://www.ranchowendy.com .

Puerto Plata – The town itself is just so-so (expensive and touristy). But I found this cheap hotel here: http://www.puertoplataguide.com/Sams.html , and from PP you can explore the beaches of Sosua and Cabarete (both touristy but awesome. Cabarete is wavy and you can kite-surf and wind-surf there. I liked Sosua better, the water was amazing).

In conclusion, you can actually travel in the DR cheaply, and there’s more to it than all-inclusive!! If you have any other questions I would love to help: Good luck!

Nurit
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[Harley-Honey]

Yes there is more to the Dominican than all inclusive but you do not have back pack to find this out.

[Michel Saltel]

My roommate and myself are planning on "backpacking" but renting a car cuz we have been hearing they are not friendly to use packers but wana see all the coast but in 2 weeks... If you have any tips please contact me at [e-mail]

[Napoleon Dunn]

Hey! Ive also been to Rancho Wendy and I've found it to be a great place, very backpacker friendly!!! Lots of excursions and cool things to do around the hostel. Def check out the website

[Pokinabout]

Just got back two days ago. I've backpacked central america before, and the Republica Dominica is completely different. But in a good way. Not once did my girlfriend or I feel ourselves to be in a dangerous situation. The environment was friendly and just as safe as any place, just keep your wits about you. For our trip we just took off with no plans, and everything went well, although not as many people speak english there as you would think considering 2/3 of the economy is from tourism. I suggest you don't take an actual backpack, but rather a small bookbag with maybe a small carry on suitcase with wheels. Anywhere you go, there will be roads, so why carry when you can roll? Also, for the money conscious, try using a "guagua," or Caribe tours is really cheap. A guagua is a mini-bus that packs as many people as possible, and runs between different cities for a flat rate. For economico accomodations check out "Villa Mar" in Sousa. For a moderate price and a nice place in cabarete check out "Hotel Kaoba," very nice. And finally, say hello to Bob Parker for me, because the price is always right!

[snibben]

going there at the end of january to stay for about two months finishing my divecollage..did anyone rent a car there? the cheaper style, for example a smaller jeep. found the usual europecar and those but rening per month is very expensive, maybe better from a private person... from what ive heard DR should be a sheap place...?

[Dominican]

snibben wrote:

going there at the end of january to stay for about two months finishing my divecollage..did anyone rent a car there? the cheaper style, for example a smaller jeep. found the usual europecar and those but rening per month is very expensive, maybe better from a private person... from what ive heard DR should be a sheap place...?

there are a lot rent cars places, the cheaper ones are the economics the small cars! i recommend the Daihatsu is economic and the gas last longer with this car

[snibben]

aight thanks dominican...

perhaps you have some other information as well ...as your favourite spots, for chillin or for partying...ps im not too fond of chartertourism..will two months down there be easy to kill..?
thanks
S

[Dominican]

Are u going alone? or with Friends? where are you going to the capital? or somewhere else? there are a lot places for party in the city (the capital) where im from. i think two months is fair enough to get to know

[Dominican]

It is important if u can speak a little bit of spanish, cause not everybody speaks english, you can find people who speak a bit, but its difficult, at least you are going to a resort or hotel, in those places people speak english. Dont let people to take advantage of you, i recommend to rent the car in the airport they have rent cars inside so when u are going back its easier. you dont have to tip people everywhere you go, just restaurants.

[snibben]

yes..tending to go on my own and i want to visit most places there as i understand that he country is not that big and so driving around wouldnt be impossible...
ive done a lot of travelling, and quite a lot in southamerica so i know a bit of the language and i know a lot of all the hustle-ling!
just want to know a bit of the different options there, some places are more backpackerfriendly than others?
thanks D
S

[Dominican]

Im sorry, i dont understand what you mean by backpacker friendly?! people in general is friendly. I suggest you can visit, bahia de las aguilas, salto de jimenoa in (jarabacoa), Altos de chavon(la romana), but you can look at this site is the official page of tourism in DR.
http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/

[Dominican]

http://www.ranchobaiguate.com/ this place for people whos like to be in nature is in jarabacoa.

[Dominican]

somebody said ranchowendy, it is good too. you can also visit saona island. Puerto plata, sosua, cabarete. Cabarete is a kiteboarding and windsurfing capital. you can also go to 27 charcos here is the page http://www.27charcos.com/index.php the prices goes from 200 to 460 pesos, 460 pesos is less than 30 US dollars. Mount isabel de torres also in puerto plata beautiful place also, you can see the ocean from the distance the atlantic ocean beautiful view. in santo domingo the capital, places must see, Alcazar de colon (zona colonial) where the spaniards conquistadors built the city.

[snibben]

hey i know its posted a long time ago.

can you tell me about what you mean in a positive way...? Do i meet other travellers or is the general crowd americans with all inclusive?? its also difficult to know the prices some say expensive some say cheap, som say dangorous some say not. im an expirienced traveller.
thanks
s