How we rented a car in the Dominican Republic and drove across the country from south to north, to the Samana Peninsula. An error in navigation, for which we paid with time and nerves.
So a well-fed life is over! For 20 days (16 on a cruise and 4 in the Dominican Republic) we lived according to the laws of all inclusiveness, it was time to return to the harsh reality.
After finishing two breakfasts (not out of greed, but for the sake of saving time, so as not to look for lunch later), having hoisted our backpacks on our backs, we left the hotel and set off towards adventure.
We got to the meeting with them on the checkpoints. Having changed three minibuses, we did the almost impossible - we got from the resort area to La Romana airport by public transport, bypassing cunning taxi drivers. Instead of $ 30, we spent less than $ 3. So that you were empty, taxi mafia!
A Kia Rio automatic machine was waiting for us at the airport. Car rental in the Dominican Republic is not a cheap pleasure. But there are workarounds! The secret is simple - you need to take a car not in popular tourist cities, but on the sidelines. For example, the cost of rental at La Romana airport is quite low: only $ 27 per day. For comparison: in our hotel the price was from $ 60, and in Punta Cana it was even more expensive. But, alas, I held out with the reservation, and the prices for my dates increased - in the end I gave $ 170 for 4 days, and I could get off $ 110. The moral is simple: always book tickets, hotels and cars 2-3 months before the trip, do not delay!
The lowest prices for car rental in the Dominican Republic I found on the Rentalcars.com service. I booked there.
We get in the car, fill up 10 gallons to a full tank and go, travel!
Our goal is the Samana Peninsula in the north of the country. We have already rested in the Caribbean Sea, now we are waiting for stunning long and completely deserted beaches of the Atlantic, rainforests and waterfalls. We are going to the farthest village - Las Galeras. To sink almost 300 km to it. There are only 5 light hours left, you can't hesitate. Go!
At first everything was fine. We flew 110 km / h on a great unloaded track with kondeem and music. It was so good that we relaxed. We relaxed and passed the required exit. And then a complete kick started.
We found ourselves in a big city, that is, in a real hell for a motorist. Hopefully this is where all greyhound drivers end up after death. I am a neat driver, but I must have done something wrong once, so I got here - fortunately, not for long.
So, we are in the anthill. We barely drive in three rows along a narrow street, the oncoming lane rushes from all sides: both to the left, and to the right, and across (!), Wild trucks are trying to squeeze through, bikes stick on the sides, beggars and some traders are knocking on the windows, behind honking, rearranging in front, trimming from the side. If the usual driving around the city in Russia is 2D, then in the Dominican anthills it is 5D. How glad I am to have a submachine gun here - at least a little lighter! All this pleasure lasted for 1.5 hours - a mistake in navigation cost us dearly.
Then we returned to the track, and life improved - we drove along an excellent track and admired the landscapes of the central part of the island.
True, the last 90 km along Samana went through endless villages: heavy traffic, mopeds, pedestrians, minibuses, trucks, terrible pits and high speed bumps. On the way we had a bite to eat pizza, we arrived already after dark. Tomorrow we will walk along wild beaches - I hope they were worth it.
Expenses on the fifth day for two:
- $ 170 - car rental.
- $ 10 - road assistance fee.
- $ 42 - gasoline.
- $ 8 - toll roads.
- $ 5.5 - pizza.
Remaining: 416.5 $.
