In the Zona Colonial and central neighbourhoods, travel is done on foot — the best way to discover the historic quarter. Allow 15-20 min on foot between main sites. Official taxis (Apolo Taxi 809-537-0000, Aero Taxi 809-686-1212) are the reference for off-neighbourhood travel — USD 5-10 depending on distance in the capital. Uber works very well in Santo Domingo (often half the price of official taxis) and is the recommended option for tourists.
Avoid unofficial street taxis (lower safety, unfavourable negotiated fares). Concho (neighbourhood shared taxis) are very cheap (50-100 RD$ per trip) but hard to use without knowing routes. Guaguas (shared minibuses) should be avoided by tourists (insecurity, discomfort).
Access to Santo Domingo from Europe is by direct flight to Las Américas (SDQ), 25 km east of the capital (35 min by taxi, USD 30-40). Air France (3-5 weekly flights), Air Caraïbes, Air Europa, Iberia serve SDQ from Paris/Madrid. Return fares €500-1,100 depending on season, direct flight 9-10h. Most tourist packages, however, arrive at Punta Cana (PUJ) — from PUJ, transfer to Santo Domingo by Caribe Tours bus (USD 15-20, 3-4h) or private taxi (USD 100-130, 2h30).
From Santo Domingo, long-distance buses (Caribe Tours, Metro Bus, Expreso Bávaro) link Punta Cana (USD 15-20, 3-4h), Samaná (USD 15, 4h via El Catey cableway or via Las Terrenas), Puerto Plata (USD 15-20, 4-5h), Santiago (USD 10-15, 2h30). Car hire available (€35-55/day, Sixt, Hertz, Europcar at SDQ) — useful for Pomier and Higüey excursions but to be avoided in the capital (dense traffic, difficult parking).
Read also
- Santo Domingo, first city in the Americas — UNESCO Zona Colonial, Alcázar de Colón, first cathedral of the New World.
- Dominican Republic — Complete country guide: visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Punta Cana and the East — The complementary beach option 3h from Santo Domingo.
- Samaná — Spectacular nature and humpback whales, 3h to the north-east.