So, I backpacked in South America (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia) for 10 months, and wanted to backpack for a month in the Dominican Republic. A lot of people told me that the DR is not very backpacker friendly, but I found out that it can be done and I wanted to share that information with you, fellow backpackers.:)

Santo Domingo – expensive, don’t bank on paying less than 10 USD per room (if you’re traveling with people, 30 if you’re alone). Also, I didn’t think it was that nice of a city, and the nightlife was a cab ride away. I would not spend more than a day there. When you’re there hang out at Zona Colonial, that’s the nice area. From there we went to Boca Chica (a guagua, which is a public minivan, costs 40 pesos). It’s a nice beach but really touristy, which means we kept being harassed by people wanting to sell us stuff. After seeing the beaches up north – it’s just not worth it. It was also expensive. Hotel rooms / apartments are also around 10-5 USD per person.

Monte Cristi – A Caribe Tours bus from Santo Domingo to Monte Cristi was 300 pesos (around 10 USD). We couldn’t find any hotels online but luckily when we got there we found this really cheap place called Hotel Chic (1 block from the bus station, ask around, everyone knows it). The cheapest room was 400 pesos (around 13 USD). We were three girls sharing a double room with a private bathroom, which was 500 pesos, so we paid less than 5 bucks a night each – that’s the cheapest I have paid in this country. On Friday I would recommend taking a bus / guagua to Dajabon, to see the border market. It’s quite an experience, BUT don’t take any valuables, including camera, carry your money in an inside pocket only and be careful of pickpocketters. Other than that it was awesome. Then we crossed the border with Haiti and walked around. Carry some sort of ID or a copy of your passport for that.
Another thing that Monte Cristi has to offer is the amazing beaches – best beaches I’ve been to in the DR, by far!! You take a motoconcho there (it’s a motorcycle taxi, ask them to go slow “despacio”) for 50 pesos to Moro (breathtaking, many waves, go at sunset) and La Playita (water tranquilo, no waves, secluded, my favorite one).

Bonao – Then I found this amazing place that’s probably the only place in the DR that’s backpacker friendly. It’s called Rancho Wendy and it’s located near Bonao, between Santiago and Santo Domingo. The owners (Marshall and Ramona) are so nice, and it’s like a family. It’s also the only place I know of here that has dormitory rooms (which means you can come alone and still stay cheaply). They cost 7 bucks. There are also private rooms for 15$. They organize hikes and stuff in the mountains around here. The most beautiful one is to go to highest mountain in the DR (Pico Duarte). It’s a four day trek and they give you everything you need (you can do it alone or with a guide). It is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. If you want something a little less demanding there’s a gorgeous waterfall you can go to (Charco Bonito) for a day trip. You can also ride horses, kayak, and all sorts of stuff. Recommended! This is their website: http://www.ranchowendy.com .

Puerto Plata – The town itself is just so-so (expensive and touristy). But I found this cheap hotel here: http://www.puertoplataguide.com/Sams.html , and from PP you can explore the beaches of Sosua and Cabarete (both touristy but awesome. Cabarete is wavy and you can kite-surf and wind-surf there. I liked Sosua better, the water was amazing).

In conclusion, you can actually travel in the DR cheaply, and there’s more to it than all-inclusive!! If you have any other questions I would love to help: Good luck!

Nurit
nortsky@gmail.com