Metro bus From SDQ to Sosua?

[Jonew1]

Does anyone have any insight on taking the metro bus from SDQ to sosua? for instance, how to i get to the metro/caribe, bus station when i get through customs. and also how do i know which bus is going to sosua so i dont get on the wrong one. I know this probably sounds like some silly basic questions but understand i have never done this before so i kind of got the pre incident jitters about this. i just wanna make sure that i have a little foresight on what to do prior to arrival so im not scatter brained and running like a wild man trying to figure everything out at the last minute. thanks for any info you may have.

[TNT72]

Take a cab from the airport to Metro. 1300 pesos. Buy your ticket. The buses are numbered. Now, the important thing is, wait by the damn thing until they open the doors! I didn't do that and the bus filled up and they said I had to wait for the next one. I said to hell with it and took a cab.

[TONYTNT40]

Does anyone have any insight on taking the metro bus from SDQ to sosua? for instance, how to i get to the metro/caribe, bus station when i get through customs. and also how do i know which bus is going to sosua so i dont get on the wrong one. I know this probably sounds like some silly basic questions but understand i have never done this before so i kind of got the pre incident jitters about this. i just wanna make sure that i have a little foresight on what to do prior to arrival so im not scatter brained and running like a wild man trying to figure everything out at the last minute. thanks for any info you may have.

Take a taxi to the bus terminal. It depends on what time you arrive, I know Metro has a bus that leaves at 11am, but Caribe Tours have that goes to Sosua every hour. They wont have any signs, you just have to ask the bus driver if he's going to Sosua.

Did you get a chance to hit Leanny yet?

[Jonew1]

Thanks and no I sure havent If anyone know any contact info or her whereabouts I certainly would like to spend some time with her. ever since she hasent been working at passions i kinda gave up on finding her, i just still havent changed my avitar.

[TONYTNT40]

Thanks and no I sure havent If anyone know any contact info or her whereabouts I certainly would like to spend some time with her. ever since she hasent been working at passions i kinda gave up on finding her, i just still havent changed my avitar.

Rule number one of ISOC, you cant have an avatar of a chica, you havent fucked yet. Lol, just kidding. I have her cell #, hi5 and MSN info, will pm it to you later.
Kind of backed up with work because I just got home Tuesday.

[Jonew1]

Rule number one of ISOC, you cant have an avatar of a chica, you havent fucked yet. Lol, just kidding. I have her cell #, hi5 and MSN info, will pm it to you later.
Kind of backed up with work because I just got home Tuesday.
Yeah i just had her picture for .... how do you say...... "inspiration" lol... But yes that would be awsome I will def be looking forward to that contact info.

[TONYTNT40]

Take a cab from the airport to Metro. 1300 pesos. Buy your ticket. The buses are numbered. Now, the important thing is, wait by the damn thing until they open the doors! I didn't do that and the bus filled up and they said I had to wait for the next one. I said to hell with it and took a cab.

Trey you funny, you went from paying $10to $200, but you didnt give a fuck. Man I would love to have a few drinks with you and Nap.

[TNT72]

Trey you funny, you went from paying $10to $200, but you didnt give a fuck. Man I would love to have a few drinks with you and Nap.

It was just under $150, but yeah. I was pissed. Smart choice on my part though, I was passed out for 2 hours in the cab. Prob would've been pick pock and I had all my vacation cash in my pocket.

Jonew, I was mistaken. Its 1300 pesos to Caribe. And its the bays that are numbered, not the bus.

[Jonew1]

Take a cab from the airport to Metro. 1300 pesos. Buy your ticket. The buses are numbered. Now, the important thing is, wait by the damn thing until they open the doors! I didn't do that and the bus filled up and they said I had to wait for the next one. I said to hell with it and took a cab.

1300 pesos seems like an awful lot for a taxi to the bus station

[DCIronman]

1300 pesos seems like an awful lot for a taxi to the bus station

Well, I agree. And the price seems to go up every year. I remember when it was 700-800 pesos.

But the taxi mafia is pretty strong at SDQ. And to be honest, it's a bit of a drive to the bus station. It's in downtown Santo Domingo, and it's at least a 30 minute drive from the airport. And any taxi from any airport in the country is going to a little more expensive. Hell, a taxi from STI to Caribe tours will run you around 700-800 pesos, even though it's only a 10-15 minute ride.

[weyland]

Take a cab from the airport to Metro. 1300 pesos. Buy your ticket. The buses are numbered. Now, the important thing is, wait by the damn thing until they open the doors! I didn't do that and the bus filled up and they said I had to wait for the next one.
I have never ridden Metro, always Caribe. On Caribe they reserve places when you buy your tickets. Your ticket is printed with the time your bus leaves and no-one can take your place.

If Metro do the same, which seems likely, I am guessing you never actually had a place reserved on that particular bus anyway. Did you check the departure time on your ticket? Anyone know if Metro do use that system?

Caribe will let people with tickets for later buses board an earlier one if not all the reserved passengers turn up by the time the bus is due to leave. This may be one reason why passengers all throng round the door as soon as the bus pulls in, making it difficult for arriving passengers to get off. But the main reason Dominicans do this is that they are ill-mannered retards.

By the way, punctuality is usually very good, so dont assume they use Dominican time and think it is alright to turn up 15 minutes late.

[dukes1963]

Make sure to ask driver when giving ticket is this bus for Puerto Plata or Sosua, I took Caribe last December from Santo Domingo up to Sosus, sign said #1, I was waiting at #1 and it didnt seem right, not much Spanish being spoken. That bus was going to Haiti. No other signs were marked, I had to go bus to bus until I found the one to POP.

[weyland]

They wont have any signs ...
Not always true. Many Caribe buses have destination signs in the windshield.

I was waiting with the Thunderstars at Caribe Tours in Santiago to go to Sosúa. The bus was late and I went for a pee. Five seconds later, Thunderstar, who didn't speak a work of Spanish then, rushes in and shouts "The bus is leaving!". Sure enough a bus with "SOSUA" prominently displayed in the windshield was revving up to leave. We hammered on the door and they let us on. When the bus pulled out, I thought "That's funny, we have turned right onto the main road, not left, maybe there's a diversion." After another five minutes heading south-east I realised we were on the wrong bus.

Luckily Caribe have another terminal in the south of the city so we were able to change buses there. Had the same thing happened on Metro we would have ended up in SD or had to pay a large bribe to be let off. The bus drivers will not make unauthorized stops except for very good reasons (a large bribe or a colonel with a pistol).

I pointed at the windshield and asked why it still said SOSUA. The driver looked at the dumb gringo and replied "Because we started in Sosúa, of course!".

So like the guys have suggested, check with the driver last thing. Don't ask Thunderstar. He don't know shit.

[TONYTNT40]

1300 pesos seems like an awful lot for a taxi to the bus station

SD is about 25-30 miles from the airport, and the taxi's at the airport will charge you $40us to go to SD. So 1300 pesos is a good price.

[TNT72]

I have never ridden Metro, always Caribe. On Caribe they reserve places when you buy your tickets. Your ticket is printed with the time your bus leaves and no-one can take your place.

If Metro do the same, which seems likely, I am guessing you never actually had a place reserved on that particular bus anyway. Did you check the departure time on your ticket? Anyone know if Metro do use that system?

Caribe will let people with tickets for later buses board an earlier one if not all the reserved passengers turn up by the time the bus is due to leave. This may be one reason why passengers all throng round the door as soon as the bus pulls in, making it difficult for arriving passengers to get off. But the main reason Dominicans do this is that they are ill-mannered retards.

By the way, punctuality is usually very good, so dont assume they use Dominican time and think it is alright to turn up 15 minutes late.

My ticket said 5pm. I was there at 4:45. Bus was full. No reserved seat on the bus.

[weyland]

My ticket said 5pm. I was there at 4:45. Bus was full. No reserved seat on the bus.
I apologise unreservedly for doubting your competence, That's a Presidente I owe you, or a fruit-juice if you are teetotal (I cannot remember). It could be during the interval of the string quartet recital.

So Metro do reserve places on specifically timed buses. In that case you should have made an issue of it as someone was occupying the seat reserved for you. I usually advocate turning the other cheek in the DR but not when it is going to cost me another US$150! That's four or five less haitianas I could enjoy!

I have seen exactly that scenario unfold. Tickets checked and someone thrown off the bus because they were occupying someone else's reserved seat.

[TONYTNT40]

My ticket said 5pm. I was there at 4:45. Bus was full. No reserved seat on the bus.

I dont think you need a seat. I was on my way to Sosua, and they picked up passengers in La Vega, and the stood until we got to Santiago.

[gdogg]

I apologise unreservedly for doubting your competence, That's a Presidente I owe you, or a fruit-juice if you are teetotal (I cannot remember). It could be during the interval of the string quartet recital.


:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

It's official...Weyland's faculties are back to 100% capacity!

[DMV]

I took Metro from SD to Sosua last week. It doesn't leave every hour, but you can check the schedule on line. The upside is that it doesn't make all the stops like Caribe so you will get there faster and it drops you off in Sosua.

If you are staying close to the main strip you can walk from the bus stop. I caught a taxi to El Rancho and the guy asked for 200 pesos. I said take this 100 and go. He looked at me for a moment and walked away.:rofl::rofl::rofl:

I would have given him 50 pesos. if I had one.

[BigLongBeach]

When i took a cab from SDQ-las americas to the jargua i paid 1200rd but they start at 1400rd just tell $35. The cabs have AC, you will ride in it alone, and they are safer than other taxi services.

(btw im assuming this is your 1st time in SDQ)
Once you get past customs you will walk down the ramp, look to your right and you will see a Bon ice cream shop, a ATM, and the bathrooms. Refresh yourself in the bathroom, and get some pocket change at the atm so you can buy yourself presidentes, and pay for the bus. You should get a good exchange rate at the ATM which are run by the banks.

Once you are done you will continue down the ramp and now outside. once outside the buscones will be looking to offer you rentals, and cabs. Just veer towards your left and you should see the taxi podium there. If a soliciting cabby doesnt take you there its not part of the taxi service (mafia).

The ride is about 25-30minutes depending on traffic and weather (pray it doesnt rain). The cabby will probably stay along the coast the whole trip to avoid the 27 febrero traffic.

[weyland]

The upside is that it doesn't make all the stops like Caribe so you will get there faster and it drops you off in Sosua ... If you are staying close to the main strip you can walk from the bus stop.
The latter point is a time- and money-saving issue for guys in El Batéy who then don't have to catch a motoconcho or cab from Los Charamicos as you would with Caribe Tours.

But I don't get the "all the stops" bit. That shouldn't influence your decision. I have made the trip a few times on Caribe and it has only ever stopped at Imbert, which takes maybe 3 minutes as not many get on or off there. It doesn't even stop at the Parada de Navarrete which is strange as that is a busy junction. Of course it stops in Puerto Plata for quite a long time. I presume Metro does the same?

[TONYTNT40]

But I don't get the "all the stops" bit. That shouldn't influence your decision. I have made the trip a few times on Caribe and it has only ever stopped at Imbert, which takes maybe 3 minutes as not many get on or off there.

I've been on a bus that stopped 3 times before we got to Santiago and that stop is 30 minutes. 5 stops can be a bit much.

[weyland]

I've been on a bus that stopped 3 times before we got to Santiago and that stop is 30 minutes. % stops can be a bit much.
If you are talking about Caribe Tours, I stand corrected (second time today). (Obviously Javilla Tours stop in every sizable village on the way). I must have been lucky every time I travelled.

I forgot, we once stopped in Altamira to let one person off.

[TONYTNT40]

If you are talking about Caribe Tours, I stand corrected (second time today). (Obviously Javilla Tours stop in every sizable village on the way). I must have been lucky every time I travelled.

I forgot, we once stopped in Altamira to let one person off.

Yes, it was Caribe Tours. I was traveling SD to Sosua, you may have been traveling a shorter distance. You wrong twice in one day? The mayans are right the world is coming to an end soon.

[DMV]

[QUOTE=TONYTNT40;973106 The mayans are right the world is coming to an end soon.[/QUOTE]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[weyland]

You wrong twice in one day?
Nothing unusual in that. What is unusual is my admitting to it.


Yes, it was Caribe Tours. I was traveling SD to Sosúa, you may have been traveling a shorter distance.
I believe all the Santiago to Sosúa Caribes buses come from SD. (Maybe not first and last thing). But I am frightened to assert anything now, my self-confidence is shot to hell!

[miggy99]

Went in May--stayed in Santo Domingo first nite-took Metro bus on SUNDAY 11:00 am
no problem smooth ride got to Sosua--3 1/2 houers doin it again in JULY

[miggy99]

I don't know if anybody mentioned this but-----For a taxi try the move I read about --It worked for me --Go up to the arrival section at the airport up one flight--There was a guy with a Pitt. Pirate baseball cap on I offered him 20.00US for me and my buddy---he took it and us to our hotel in Santo Domingo. Caribe tours is closer then Metro so if they might want a little more. Wear a light coat--BUSES are cold Metro anyway but very comfortable and not alot of stops.---GOOD LUCK

[ezsmile]

here is the link to the Metro schedule.

http://www.metroserviciosturisticos.com/rutas_horarios.html

the Santo Domingo to Sosua bus leaves at 7AM, 11AM, and 4PM. The bus station is basically at the intersection of Churchill and 27 de Febrero, just a block or two south of the Acropolis mall, on Churchill, same side.

I took it last week, got to the bus station around 6:15 for the 7AM bus, the ticket windows weren't open yet. The place gradually filled up, and then everyone lined up in front of the ticket windows when they heard the staff making noise behind the shuttered windows . I bought my ticket, there was no reserved seat number.

Later I heard one woman saying she was on the waiting list for seats - you can reserve a seat online but I don't see a payment method so I assume if someone reserves a seat online and doesn't show up in time to pay for it, then they give the seat to somone who is already there.

The woman who was on the waiting list was on the bus when it pulled out of the station.

There is only 1 bus (at least at 7 AM) so you needn't worry that you are getting on the wrong one. That bus stops in Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Sosua. There is a guy to help you with your luggage, there are 3 compartments one for each city, tell him where you are going and he will put your luggage if you have any in the appropriate compartment.

I think the bus ticket was 375 pesos but am not sure. I tipped the luggage guy something like 20-25 pesos.

[DMV]

I think the bus ticket was 375 pesos but am not sure. I tipped the luggage guy something like 20-25 pesos.

You are correct, departed SD at 11am arrived in Sosua a little after 3pm