How to get around the Dominican Republic on your Royal Holiday Vacation Club Deal

It is official. You have signed the dotted line. You have packed your bags. You are heading to the Dominican Republic for a much-needed vacation. As any Royal Holiday Club member will tell you, there is nothing like the feeling of boarding a plane that is about to depart for the Caribbean. It is a special moment that everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing. While you have undoubtedly scoped out the best “must-try” restaurants, the most serene beaches, and have asked those familiar with the Dominican Republic about places that the locals frequent, you may not be as prepared for getting to and from your various destinations. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the Dominican Republic’s streets and various transportation options: 

Options Available 

The Dominican Republic has an array of travel options available to tourists. If you are staying in one of the Royal Holiday Club’s three resorts in Punta Cana, it is understandable that you would like to stay at your resort and take in everything that an all-inclusive resort has to offer. However, if you are looking to explore a bit more of the Dominican Republic, there are a few methods of transportation for you to choose from, such as car rentals, exploring on foot, buses, taxis, and motoconchos. 

 

Car Rentals 

The Bavaro Princess and the Caribe Club Princess in Punta Cana both have car rental services available for their guests. Additionally, if you are flying into the Dominican Republic, you can rent a car at the airport. With that being said, driving within Punta Cana is not recommended as traffic is usually at a standstill. Further, if you are unfamiliar with the driving in the Dominican Republic, it can be quite the adjustment as some visitors report that stop signs and speed limits are ignored more often than usual. 

On Foot 

The best way to explore the Dominican Republic is on foot if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort. The beach is literally right outside of your hotel room and if you do need to venture farther into the Punta Cana, the resort’s concierge can set up a taxi for you. 

Taxis 

Fares are negotiable, which makes taxis alluring to many visitors. Make sure that you agree on a price before getting into the vehicle. If your concierge calls a taxi for you, the ride will likely be more expensive than a taxi ride would be if you were to request the service yourself at a taxi stand down the street. Unfortunately, apps like Uber are not yet available in the Dominican Republic.   

Buses 

A local bus, otherwise known as a guagua, is one the cheaper ways to explore the Dominican Republic, but it is not recommended. The schedules are incredibly irregular, sometimes up to an hour behind schedule, the bus stops are not marked clearly, and the buses are usually very packed with people. If you do opt to take a ride on a local bus, have small bills with you as these buses do not rely on tickets. 

Motoconchos

A motoconcho is a taxi motorcycle that usually starts a $2 to $4 a ride. Stick to only accepting rides from drivers wearing orange vests. These drivers are a part of the Dominican Republic’s local driving union which means that they had to meet some qualifications in order to operate a motoconcho. While this is a cheap option, again, it is not recommended due to high accident rates and the lack of helmet availability for passengers. 

Whatever transportation choice you make, whether it be by car, by foot, by bus, taxi, or motoconcho, getting around the Dominican Republic is easy, especially if you book an all-inclusive resort through the Royal Holiday Club. 

Read about the other great deals and reviews on Royal Holidays Dominican Republic Locations: https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/10/15/1621511/0/en/Royal-Holiday-Dominican-Republic-Travel-Basics.html