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[teamfozz]

My husband and I are trying to decide between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata as a base for our vacation. We will mostly stay in one of these areas, but we would like to spend a day in Santo Domingo and a day in the Samana Peninsula. Should we stay in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata to reach these destinations with the greatest ease? We do not wish to rent a car, so we would rely on some form of public transportation to get there.

Do most of the AI resorts offer tours with transportation to these destinations?

I have found online that it takes the same amount of time to reach Santo Domingo from either of these destinations, but it takes about 2 hrs. longer to get to Samana from Punta Cana.

Thanks for any advice.

[muzongo]

My husband and I are trying to decide between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata as a base for our vacation. We will mostly stay in one of these areas, but we would like to spend a day in Santo Domingo and a day in the Samana Peninsula. Should we stay in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata to reach these destinations with the greatest ease? We do not wish to rent a car, so we would rely on some form of public transportation to get there.

Do most of the AI resorts offer tours with transportation to these destinations?

I have found online that it takes the same amount of time to reach Santo Domingo from either of these destinations, but it takes about 2 hrs. longer to get to Samana from Punta Cana.

Thanks for any advice.

How long will you be in the DR.

I am not Dominican. But I have been to Puerto Plata, Semana and Punta Cana. Chjeck the map. It does not seem that a single bus will take you from Punta cana to Semana. I think you gotta take a ferry too.

From PC to Samana would be only back roads, slow going on very local busses.

Call a resort in PC and ask them about travel to Samana. Not a one day trip.

Its about a 3 hour drive from PP to Semana by fast private driving (done it twice) So round trip to samana is not a good one day trip.

When you say Samana area - do you mean to include Las Terrenas?

What do you plan to do, just drive thru?

Do you want a beach? Do you want to drive palm tree lined highways?

If you have never been to DR, let me know what your trip goals are and I may be able to give you some help. There is also another forum that Dominicans respond to - and you may be able to get info from locals.

PP to la Capital Santo Domingo - say 4 hours by high speed driving. I ve done it a few times. the Most dangerous road in DR is the road from PP to Santiago at night, esp in the rain.

Punta Cana is relatively isolated. Many Germans and French Canadians frying in the sun.

From PP you have access along the coast to Samana, incl. Sosua (wild & crazy) Cabarette - wind surfing, youth, Rio San Juan (one gorgeous + one nice beach)

If you want to chill and lay on the beach or sit and enjoy fabulous views, go to Sosua to the Peirgiorgio hotel - Cheap, beautiful. Sosus has lots a partying and good restaurants

. From PP, you can go over the hill to Santiago and on to SD, but its not a one day trip.

[semi-backpacker]

I think it depends on how long you are staying in D.R. and what your vacationing preferences are. If time permits and you enjoy the resort vacation style, I would recommend Punta Cana. Beautiful beaches and very relaxing. It is rather isolated as stated above, but I love it much more than Puerto Plata. If you prefer to be up and about on your vacation and be close to the city, I would recommend Puerto Plata. There's plenty to do and it's more centrally located to all other parts of the country. Not as pretty as Punta Cana, though. So it really depends :-)

[maldivestagent]

My husband and I are trying to decide between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata as a base for our vacation. We will mostly stay in one of these areas, but we would like to spend a day in Santo Domingo and a day in the Samana Peninsula. Should we stay in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata to reach these destinations with the greatest ease? We do not wish to rent a car, so we would rely on some form of public transportation to get there.

Do most of the AI resorts offer tours with transportation to these destinations?

I have found online that it takes the same amount of time to reach Santo Domingo from either of these destinations, but it takes about 2 hrs. longer to get to Samana from Punta Cana.

Thanks for any advice.

I would say that Punta Cana have the better beaches, and the properties/hotels are overall newer.

Why do you want to go to Santa Domingo? Its a good 4 hour drive from Punta Cana? Most of the excursions are organised with the tour guide in the hotel or with beach traders. You could contact the tour operators there and they can possibly arrange a car and driver for you. I would suggest that you do research what it is you are wanting to see in all of these places before committing to your itinerary.

If you are looking for a nice hotel whether its in the North or South, consider the RIU hotel chain, they have good facilities and food, and excellent beaches.