Directions from Santiago to Sosua

[pollito]

I want to rent a car in Santiago and drive to Sosua. How do I get there.
I know street signs are just about non existent in the D/R.
Any suggestions, without getting lost.

[Jimmydr]

I want to rent a car in Santiago and drive to Sosua. How do I get there.
I know street signs are just about non existent in the D/R.
Any suggestions, without getting lost.

If you do a little research, such as reading some of the Santiago trip reports, you will get many answers.

Welcome to ISOC!

[the_Jayman]

I want to rent a car in Santiago and drive to Sosua. How do I get there.

Head North ! ! !

[ChicaSeeka]

take the long way via lower santiago and thru ocean world area and then thru puerto plata, the loma is a very treacherous shortcut, and has gotten much worse over the last year, i frequently take it but am familiar with the curves of DEATH LOL

good luck, pm me for further directions

[ErikS]

Head North ! ! !

Preferably in a charted mini-bus with 25 or so "bosom-buddies".





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But if you insist on driving solo, here goes.

The easiest way:
Highway 1 to Highway 5.
Take the access road out of the airport and make a right (north) on the main highway (Autopista Duarte) heading north towards central Santiago. The Autopista Duarte is DR Highway #1. Follow the signs for "Puerto Plata" and stay on Highway 1. About a half hour past Santiago, Highway 1 will intersect with Highway 5. Go onto Highway 5 by bearing to the right (east). The signs will say "Puerto Plata".
Highway 5 will take you through Puerto Plata, and then east along the coast to Sosua.
Total driving time with normal traffic: About 2 hours.
-------------------------------------
The "Interesting way":
Highway 1. Shortcut over the mountain road, and then connect with Highway 5 just outside Sosua.

Take the access road out of the airport and make a right (north) on the main highway (Autopista Duarte) heading north towards central Santiago. The Autopista Duarte is DR Highway #1.
Before you hit the center of the city (the "Monument" will be seen in the distance directly in front of you), make a RIGHT (east) on Avenue SADHALA.
Ave Sadhala will will take you through the eastern part of Santiago. Right after you pass the GRAN ADMIRALTE HOTEL & CASINO (on your left), you will come to an intersection with the HECHE BUILDING in front of you (there is a large encircled "H" on the top of the building). Bear right here. Stay on that road till the end of town. The road will continue up and over the mountains and eventually intersect with Highway 5. Make a RIGHT on Highway 5 and you are about 15 minutes away from Sosua.
Total driving time with normal traffic and good weather: About 90 minutes.

If you are renting a car, make sure you ask them for a map. They will also verify / expand on the directions above.


Enjoy your trip.

NOTE: Last year when we charted the mini-bus, it took us almost 8 hours to get from the Santiago airport to the Shark Bar in Sosua . But that trip was a whole nother' story (and trip report) in itself.

[Donny Boy]

Man a 2 hour ride, I thought it would be shorter

[Magnum]

It is approximately 70 kilometers - give or take a few - from the airport in Santiago to Sosua via the mountain road. I have done it on more than one occasion in as little as one hour - at night (no traffic at night, no locals walking the roads) believe it or not - but it normally will take you about an hour and a half.

Like Chicaseeker alluded to - if you have not driven this road before take your time because there are some kick ass turns on the mountain road and there is no return if you take a turn too fast. The condition on that road is crap on a good day and considering all of the rain they recently have had I am sure that it is even worse. Add to that the construction they are constantly doing up there and it is an interesting ride to say the least.

Good luck and take your time.

[Hemp]

If you take the mountain rd. by all means take your time and be careful...

[rdmatheny]

"It is approximately 70 kilometers - give or take a few - from the airport in Santiago to Sosua via the mountain road. I have done it on more than one occasion in as little as one hour - at night"

Boy that reminds me from a couple trips ago. Staying at the Casa Cayenna. Had a flight out of Santiaga with Jet Blue departing 6 am. So had a prearranged taxi to be at the hotel for around 3 am. So was out drinking all night and getting one last quick one with a chica. Sent her on her way and was waiting for the taxi. Its after 3am and no fuckin' taxi. So Willie at the desk started to call to find out where the driver was. The son of bitch forgot all about me and was somewhere in Peurto Plata. So he finally gets there at 3:45 am. Jump in and promises me To get me there in time. So we leave Sosua at about 3:50am. I'm so tired and drunk I figure I'd stretch out in back seat and try to nap. Now I knew it would be a rough ride since I have been on that route a few times before. But anyways, I was gradually falling to sleep. Then during the trip out of nowhere My head bangs against the door. Damn near knocked me senseless. So being drunk and dizzy I try to pull myself up on the seat and boom!!!!!!!!! I get thrown to the other side of the back seat door damn near knocking My head again. So in my drunkin' dizzy slur I tell him I would like to get to airport in one piece. Of course I get the "typical" Dominican answer....No problem. So for the rest of the ride I stay up and watch as he navigates curves, pot holes, cutting corners short...god only knows at what speeds we were traveling. But before I knew it...there we were pulling into the airport...4:30am. 40 fuckin min. from Sosua to Santiago airport. Unbelievable. And still alive to talk about it. What a trip.