Is it generally better to pay the DR cabbies in US dollars or pesos? I noticed the threads regarding rates are always in US dollars.
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Is it generally better to pay the DR cabbies in US dollars or pesos? I noticed the threads regarding rates are always in US dollars.
Quote:
Originally Posted by exoticspirit
They will take both, just be aware of the exchange rate.
There is a flat fee from the airport set in dollars. So its often dollars from the airport, but pesos will work fine. The exchange rate right now is about 39 pesos to the dollar. I don't know what the flat rate from the airport is to Sosua. Its $35 to Cabarete. Of course some people are able to negotiate something lower with the taxi drivers, but it depends which taxi driver you talk too and the negotiation would have to be in private.Quote:
Originally Posted by exoticspirit
I'm without a car right now. Had to get to Sosua, and back to Puerto Plata. Publico at 10 am today, 4 in the back, and 2 of us in front. 3 get off in Montellano at 30 pesos each. Then no other real long pick up all the way to Sosua ( 25 minutes). Figured the guy got 225 - 250 peso for this run. Then you look at a private taxi from the airport to center of Sosua for $25 (975 pesos), and where's my tip?:mad: Now I understand why I see so many guys B4 waiting on the highway with suit cases.:wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by ohmmmm
I would never pay anything in the DR in US dollars or Euros, you are just asking to be ripped off. Price is always higher.
Also before getting in the taxi be clear on the price, if you just get in, get to your destination, you are asking to be ripped off, once you are there you are at their mercy, if you don't have a set price before hand. Really the same philosphy I use with chicas, I don't know. Set the price before entry, normally will allow things to go smoother.
Those guys provide a great service. The small returns are part of the reason they drive like maniacs, trying to get in as many return trips in a working day as possible. Normally the cars are very rundown and you have to wonder about their servicing. But the other day I rode a brand new Honda publico. It was the smoothest ride I had had in seven years and the interior was immaculate. Probably because it was new the driver drove very carefully, too. I don't expect another 45 peso ride like that for another seven years!Quote:
Originally Posted by steviewonder
I would remind those new to publicos that you can pay for two seats to avoid the squashing problems. Still works out a fraction of a private taxi fare.
You get a few tigueres driving but most of them are decent people. A couple of weeks ago I jumped out of the front seat on arrival in Sosua and dashed for the Cabarete publico as I was late for an appointment. In doing so, I dropped my bunch of keys in the first publico and the driver ran after me shouting, while the other drivers shouted at him for blocking the entrance. He was reluctant to accept a tip. I would have been in all sorts of shit without my keys.
I agree with this. I almost always bring pesos home with me, so I hit the ground running.Quote:
Originally Posted by yayow
But if someone is going for the first time or didn't bring pesos back home, the rip off is much cheaper to pay the taxi's in US dollars than to exchange at the airport!!!
What exactly is a publico and where do I find them?Quote:
Originally Posted by weyland
they are public taxis...walk out to the taxi stands almost across from the gas station in sousa...you catch the either the sousa to POP taxi or sousa to rio san juan going the other direction...50 pesos gets you the front seat for yourself...Quote:
Originally Posted by exoticspirit
What City Nights said:Quote:
Originally Posted by exoticspirit
Shared taxis running along fixed routes, so like a miniature bus service. They use compact saloons that should seat one passenger up front and three at back, but they squeeze in two at front and four at back, so if you want more comfort pay for two seats (up front if possible).
Advantages are:
Very cheap fixed fares. Sosua to Puerto Plata is 45 pesos (50 after dark) so just over US$1. Shorter trips less.
They stop and pick up wherever you want along the route.
Will usually make modest detours for a small tip. For example, they will divert to drop you off at the airport, or do a detour into the centre of Montellano if you want to visit there.
Will carry your parcels or luggage in the trunk for a small tip (say 20 pesos).
Very frequent, run about one a minute. Even if four pass you full, a fifth will soon come along with a space.
Run 24/7 though in the small hours you might need to wait 10 minutes for one. Not the best idea if in a lonely dark place.
Disadvantages are:
May blast you with music not to your taste or religious or political rants.
Windows are usually wide open so not for those sensitive to draughts.
Many drive like maniacs, so not for the nervous.
The "paying for two seats" option is only guaranteed if you board at the terminus.
I'll probably take the publico from Sosua to the airport then. But is there a publico route to get from the POP airport to Blackbeard's and the from Blackbeard's to Sosua?
The publico can't enter the airport. It will drop you off at the entrance on the main road. If all you have is a carry-on you can walk the rest of the way; possibly even with one suitcase on wheels I guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by exoticspirit
From BB to Sosua you would go to the main entrance at Costombar and catch the publico there. Then change over to another going to Sosua.
Actually 100 pesos gets you the front seat to yourself because, in reality, you are paying for two seats.Quote:
Originally Posted by Citynights