Cabarete is a fun town to navigate; not only are there tons of cool places to go, but you can actually get around easily! Public transportation in Cabarete is excellent for a small town, and tourists have many options for getting from A to B.
We’ll outline the three most common modes of transport in this Cabarete Transportation Guide, with a few tips to make sure you are gettin’ around like a seasoned vet.
Motoconcho $RD50-200
Motoconchos are basically motorcycle taxis. Many motoconchos have permits and it is best to catch a lift with a permitted driver. Some have permits hanging around their neck, but if not just ask and your friendly motoconcho will show it to you.
The main motoconcho stands are in front of Janet’s Supermarket, by the entrance to the Callejon, at Kite Beach, and the entrance to La Cienega. We recommend agreeing on a price BEFORE you get on the motorcycle.
From the east end of Cabarete until the beginning of Sosua, you can expect to pay 200 pesos plus. If you go off the main road to a place like Playa Encuentro, it can cost up to 200 pesos. Prices double after sunset.
Make sure you have change since the drivers often don’t have any. If you are riding at night, check to see if your motoconcho has a tail light and be aware of drivers that have been drinking. When you find a motoconcho that you trust, ask for their phone number so you can call them when you are ready for a pick up from wherever you are. If your Spanish is good enough, you can even call a motoconcho to pick up snacks and deliver them to your door. Sometimes we all get a serious craving for pollo frito and beer in bed!
Locals tip: Make sure you always step off on the left side of the moto, the muffler is extremely hot and you don’t want to tag yourself with a Dominican tattoo aka a huge open burn wound from bumping into it.
Guagua: RD$25-50
Guaguas are the local buses that run along the main road between Puerto Plata and Rio San Juan (Cabarete is in the middle).
The 15 passenger vans are normally filled to the brim with somewhere around 25 people, a few roosters, and definitely several adorable babies. An authorized guagua will have a sticker on the bottom or top of the windshield that identifies the route. The photo above shows a sticker that says Puerto Plata/Rio San Juan. Guaguas make frequent stops, so they are slower than motoconchos or carritos for getting around, which makes them very inexpensive—anywhere between 25 pesos for within Cabarete, and 35 pesos to Sosua.
To be honest, there is often a 10-15 pesos tax for tourists, so don’t be surprised if you end up paying 50 pesos. Small bills are always best but don’t be afraid to ask for your change if it isn’t offered to you. Traveling by guagua is a great way to rub shoulders with the locals (literally) and experience people out and about handling their daily business.
You can flag one down anywhere on the main road and they normally have a young guy hanging out of the bus whistling at pedestrians. It’s also good to know that guaguas don’t run at night. Locals tip: Guaguas are an alternative way to get around if you have a lot of luggage, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for a taxi. If you have a conscience and feel like you are taking up too much room in the guagua, be fair and pay for another seat…it’s still cheaper than paying for a taxi.
Carrito RD$35-75
Carritos, or public cars, are usually older Toyota Corollas that travel along the main road of Cabarete connecting Sosua, Cabarete and all the neighbouring towns.
Carritos are a very inexpensive and fast way to travel. Because they fill up quickly, they don’t make as many stops as the guaguas, so it is quicker than taking a guagua—but still the same price at about 35 pesos for a trip all the way to Sosua.
Don’t be surprised if you are passed an infant to rest on your lap for the duration of your trip, since carrito drivers are pros at stacking their vehicles full of humans. Again, make sure to hold on to small bills because it is always best to have the correct change. Unlike guaguas, carritos run at night too. Expect the fare to double after dark.
You’ll recognize it as a carrito because they have a taxi sign on the top of the car and they honk as they drive along the main road. Gesture like you are flagging a taxi and they’ll happily pull over. If they keep driving, that means they are full and you’ll have to wait another minute or two for another carrito.
If these modes of transport aren’t convenient for whatever reason, read our Cabarete Taxi Guide.