cuddler
02-22-2008, 05:37 AM
As ever veteran knows, the official taxi fare of USD 20 for the 5 or 10 minute ride from POP airport to Sosua must be one of the most expensive taxi rides per Km in the world.
Following detailed instructions from an oldtimer (Thank you Erik!) I found it was easy to do the trip for half that or possibly a lot less.
In Sosua I went up to the Texaco station, from where the publicos line up in the direction of Puerto Plata (Sign on roof says:Sosua Puerto Plata). That is, they're going right, seen from the town. I did this a few hours in advance, spoke to a driver, and said I wanted a publico for me alone (solo para mi) at eight o'clock to go to the airport. No problem. He quoted 300 pesos (about $9) which I accepted. I tried to get him to fetch me from the Waterfront, but he looked doubtful and said he didn't know it, so I said OK I'd come to his stand.
I turned up at about 10 minutes early to give me 10 minutes for a fond farewell clinch with my GFE, but the driver came running up with a big smile and said he'd been checking regularly since 7 to see whether I'd arrived. (Such eagerness probably means you could probably get a rather lower price if you're into saving the last dollar).
I was driven right up to the check-in point and had my bags carried, just like with a regular taxi. He said I should call him when I arrived back. He's called Ivan and his number is 809-6107047.
Adding the night-time motoconcho fare for two of us it actually came to 400, but I imagine with a little explanation you could easily get him to fetch you from your hotel (and certainly to deliver you there when you arrive).
And incidentally I arrived so early (my flight was at 10.50) that they had to wake up somebody to man the X-ray machine, and there was nobody at the departure tax office yet, so they let me out without paying the $20.
Following detailed instructions from an oldtimer (Thank you Erik!) I found it was easy to do the trip for half that or possibly a lot less.
In Sosua I went up to the Texaco station, from where the publicos line up in the direction of Puerto Plata (Sign on roof says:Sosua Puerto Plata). That is, they're going right, seen from the town. I did this a few hours in advance, spoke to a driver, and said I wanted a publico for me alone (solo para mi) at eight o'clock to go to the airport. No problem. He quoted 300 pesos (about $9) which I accepted. I tried to get him to fetch me from the Waterfront, but he looked doubtful and said he didn't know it, so I said OK I'd come to his stand.
I turned up at about 10 minutes early to give me 10 minutes for a fond farewell clinch with my GFE, but the driver came running up with a big smile and said he'd been checking regularly since 7 to see whether I'd arrived. (Such eagerness probably means you could probably get a rather lower price if you're into saving the last dollar).
I was driven right up to the check-in point and had my bags carried, just like with a regular taxi. He said I should call him when I arrived back. He's called Ivan and his number is 809-6107047.
Adding the night-time motoconcho fare for two of us it actually came to 400, but I imagine with a little explanation you could easily get him to fetch you from your hotel (and certainly to deliver you there when you arrive).
And incidentally I arrived so early (my flight was at 10.50) that they had to wake up somebody to man the X-ray machine, and there was nobody at the departure tax office yet, so they let me out without paying the $20.