
HOW TO GO TO PUERTO PLATA FROM PUNTA CANA?
Once and for all, we have summarized the different options you would have to go to PUERTO PLATA from PUNTA CANA.
1
TAKING A TAXI FROM PUNTA CANA TO PUERTO PLATA
Journey Duration: 5.5-6 hours
Journey cost: between RD$23,000 and RD$24,000
Those who prefer the maximum level of comfort while traveling can enjoy a direct private transfer from Punta Cana to the town Puerto Plata for a total of USD$350 - USD$400; being this the most expensive option of all.
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Ordering an UBER is also possible and rates would be slightly lower .
TIPS ON UBER IN PUNTA CANA - some UBER drivers will try to charge you an additional fee in cash - which is NOT mandatory and could be considered a scam. For this reason, whenever ordering an UBER always reconfirm with the driver that the rate to pay at the end of the ride will be the one shown in the platform.
If you are staying at Sweet Home Punta Cana and are interested in booking a direct transfer with us, contact us here to offer you our even lower preferential rates!
2
DRIVING FROM PUNTA CANA TO PUERTO PLATA
Journey Duration: 6-6.5 hours
Journey cost: between RD$6,000 and RD$15,000
This option is for the more independent travelers, who prefer to be in control of their whole trip but who also seek comfort above all, being therefore this option, the second most expensive one to get to Puerto Plata from Punta Cana.
As far as EXPENSES are concerned, find below the costs to consider:
- Daily cost of vehicle rental (between about RD$2,700 and RD$8,500)
- Fuel or GAS (between about RD$2,500 – RD$5,000)
Total cost of tolls of RD$720; summarized as follows:
+ RD$100 in Coral 2 toll
+ RD$60 in Coral 1 toll
+ RD$100 in La Romana toll
+ RD$60 in Las Américas toll
+ RD$400 in Duarte toll
As far as SIGNALING is concerned, if you plan to be driving without WIFI, you would need to follow the following route:
- Punta Cana to Bayahibe
- Bayahibe to La Romana
- La Romana towards San Pedro
- San Pedro to Santo Domingo
- Santo Domingo to Villa Altagracia
- Villa Altagracia to Bonao
- Bonao to La Vega
- La Vega to Santiago
- Santiago to Puerto Plata
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If your vehicle has GPS or your phone has WIFI, simply help yourself with any app such as Google Maps, WAZE, etc.
If you are staying at Sweet Home Punta Cana and need to rent a vehicle, contact us here to get our preferential rates, even lower!
3
BUS FROM PUNTA CANA TO PUERTO PLATA: EXPRESO BÁVARO & APTRA
Journey Duration: 7-8 hours
Journey cost: between RD$1,000 and RD$1,100 per person
The cheapest option to go to Puerto Plata from Punta Cana will be taking a couple of buses; the first one in direction to Santo Domingo (with EXPRESO BÁVARO or APTRA) and the second one in direction to Puerto Plata (with Caribe Tours).
FIRST, LET’S GO IN DIRECTION TO SANTO DOMINGO!
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1- You will need to depart from the APTRA or EXPRESO BÁVARO bus station of your convenience:
- from El Cruce de Friusa bus station
- or from Plaza Sitrabapu in El Cruce de Verón bus station
Tickets cost between RD$400 and RD$450 per person - we always recommend our guests to arrive at least one hour in advance to avoid make sure tickets are available, since they cannot be purchased ONLINE nor prior to departure day.
The departure times of Expreso Bávaro & APTRA go as follows:
- 5:00 a.m.
- 7:00 am
- 9:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 3:00 pm - if catching this bus to Santo Domingo you might not be able to catch a bus to Puerto Plata until the next day
- 4:00 p.m
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2- It is important to take into account that the bus makes several stops and that it will be YOUR responsibility to identify and inform the bus assistant in which bus stop you would need to get off. If you have any doubts, make sure to reconfirm these details with the bus assistant before departing!
IF YOU ARE STAYING AT SWEET HOME PUNTA CANA...
Below, find out how to get to the Expreso Bávaro or APTRA bus station:
- You can ask us for a private transfer for USD$15 (RD$800)
- You can request an UBER for USD$10 – USD$15 (RD$500 – RD$800)
- You can take a moto-taxi for USD$10 – USD$15 (RD$500 – RD$800); these are located right outside our residential complex, in front of the super-market.
- You can take a 25 minute BUS RIDE in direction to Friusa for USD$1 – USD$1.5 (RD$50 – RD$75). Public buses can be taken right outside our residential complex (they pass every 20-30 minutes). Get off the bus at FRIUSA and once there, cross the street to the bus station of EXPRESO BAVARO - APTRA - SITRABAPU.
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NOW THAT YOU ARE IN SANTO DOMINGO, LET’S GO TO PUERTO PLATA!
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Before getting off the bus from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo, make sure to request to be dropped off a the stop of Las Americas.
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Once at Las Americas, you will need to get a Caribe Tours bus in direction to Puerto Plata.
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Tickets from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata will cost between RD$600 – RD$650 - we always recommend our guests to arrive at least one hour in advance to make sure tickets are available, since they cannot be purchased ONLINE nor prior to departure day.
From this bus station you can depart only directly to Puerto Plata and or Sosua… Below, you can find the departure times of CARIBE TOURS if departing from their bus station:
- 6:10am
- 7:10am
- 8:10am
- 9:25am
- 10:25am
- 11:40am
- 1:10pm
- 2:10pm
- 3:10pm
- 4:40pm
- 6:10pm
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It is important to know that once in the town of Puerto Plata, you can also catch a bus, a moto-taxi or a cab in direction to any other of its towns (Sosua, Cabarete, etc).
For more information about the services offered by EXPRESO BÁVARO and APTRA, you can call them directly or explore their websites:
APTRA:
Telephones: 809-682-9670 / 809-682-5881
https://www.aptpra.com/copia-de-higueey-s-p-macoris
EXPRESO BAVARO
Telephones: 809 552 1678
https://expresobavaro.com
CARIBE TOURS
Telephones: 809-221-4422 ext. 2061, 2062 Y 2064
https://caribetours.com.do/