Although Cabarete is a pretty small town, you will still find that you need to get around somehow. Walking the beach is fun, but sometimes you just don’t feel like it. As a visitor, public transportation is definitely the easiest, cheapest option. Gas is about USD $6 here, so…yea. It’s expensive.

You have several choices when it comes to public transportation: motoconcho, guagua, carrito (caro publico).


Motoconcho: RD$25-RD$50
A motoconcho is basically a guy who has a motorcycle and presumably a permit to drive people around on it for money. For making short trips around Cabarete, this is probably your best option.

They usually post up at busy places on and off the main road, but have no fear because there is ALWAYS a motoconcho within reach. All you have to do is stand on the side of the road and raise your hand, and just like superman, a moto will show up at the speed of light.

It costs 25 pesos to make a one-way trip anywhere on the main road from Cabarete to Encuento. At sunset the costs doubles to 50 pesos. If you want to go into Sosua, it will cost a little more. Ask before you get on and know the round about price you “should” pay by comparing it to the other prices in this article.

Pro Tips:

  • Make sure your motoconcho hasn’t been drinking too much.
  • If it is dark, make sure your motoconcho has a back light. It is pretty dangerous to not have one, and it is common for them to not have one.
  • ALWAYS bring change. They aren’t very good at making it for you.
  • If you find a motoconcho you really like, get his phone number. He will come pick you up wherever you are. Heck, for a small tip he will even go pick you up some ice cream and deliver it to your door when you are feeling lazy.
  • Make sure you get off on the LEFT side of the moto. Trust us, you don’t want to burn your leg on the really really hot muffler.
  • YES, you can fit 3 adults, a newborn baby, a chicken, and a propane tank on a moto all at the same time.  Yes, you can carry a person carrying a moto on a moto, too.

Guagua: RD$25-RD$50
Guagua basically means mini-bus or van. These are privately owned vehicles and the crew consists of a driver and the cobrador (fare collector). For making short trips and trips from town to town, this is your best option.

It’s easy to spot a guagua because the driver will be sounding the horn and the cobrador is likely to be hanging out of the open door scouting potential patrons. They usually have a red sticker across the top or bottom of the windshield naming the route. To grab one, just stand on the side of the road and wait up to 10 minutes. Then when you see one, hold your hand out like you are hailing a cab. If you don’t want one, just wave your “no-no” finger and they will move it right along.

The guagua technically has 12 seats (give or take), but you will find that there are often 20 or so people crammed inside, and on occasion you will see 2 or 3 men hanging out of the side door. It’s really not as bad as it sounds (aside from the possible smells). We find that it is quite an adventure and you never know who you will see on the good ole guagua.

It costs 25 pesos to make a one-way trip anywhere on the main road from Cabarete to Sosua, and 40-50 pesos (depending on how far into Puerto Plata you go), 25 pesos for Cabarete to Sabaneta, and 70 pesos to Rio San Juan. Guaguas do not run after dark.

Pro Tips:

  • If you are traveling any sort of distance, confirm the rate before you get in. They tend to overcharge unsuspecting tourists.
  • ALWAYS bring change. They cobrador is unlikely to “have” any.
  • If you need a little bit of change, be ready to ask for it back because it won’t be offered up.
  • The guagua stops every time it sees a hailing person. That means the trip can take a little longer than expected. So, patience is a virtue.
  • If it looks like there is no room on the guagua, they will make room. Just schooch your butt on it. They load from the back to the front.
  • If you are a man and the guagua is full, don’t be surprised if they tell YOU to hang out of the door while you ride. No discount for hanging out of the door.
  • YES, someone actually brought their TV and rooster and took up 2 seats in the process.

Carrito (Carro Publico): RD$25-RD$50
Carrito technically means cart in Spanish. In DR they are privately owned cars that “cart” people around town. 99% of the time the car is an oldie Toyota Corolla. 100% of the time it is a small car with a taxi sign on the roof that indicates the route. This is not as fast as traveling on a moto, but is safer. Yet, a carrito is not as slow as a guagua because they fill up quicker, thus making fewer stops along the way.

Just like a motoconco or guagua, all you have to do is stand around for a few minutes and one will come cruising down the road honking its horn. Make any gesture to indicate you want a ride, and if there is room, it will stop. If there isn’t room, it will haul butt on by without a second glance. That being said, this form of transportation tends to come overstuffed. 4 people in the front and 4 in the back is normal.

It costs 25-30 pesos (30-50 pesos after sunset) to make a one-way trip anywhere on the main road from Cabarete to Sosua. In order to travel from Cabarete to Puerto Plata, you will have to change carritos in Sosua, and then pay another 35-50 pesos (depending on how far into Puerto Plata you go).

It costs Anywhere on the main road from Cabarete to Sosua is RD$25-30 (RD$30-50 after sunset). If you are going on to Puerto Plata, you’ll have to change corro publicos in Sosua. From Sosua to Puerto Plata it is another RD$35-50.

Pro Tips:

  • Carritos tend have fixed routes, so be sure of the route and price before you get in.
  • ALWAYS bring change. They are in such a hurry, they tend to not “have” any.
  • The carrito stops every time it sees a hailing person until it is full. To hurry the trip or to make your ride more comfortable, pay for 2 seats.
  • You might have to sit on half of someone’s lap if you want to get in. This is normal and you don’t have to worry about getting felt up.

If you are interested in a more comfy form of travel that can hold you, your friends, and some luggage or kiting equipment, check out our article on grabbing a Taxi in Cabarete. They will also pick you up from the airport.

*DISCLAIMER*

These prices may be off by $5-15 pesos. Nothing in this town is set in stone and there is often a “gringo tax” that is hard to negotiate. The main issue that we hope to help with is the difference between 5 pesos and 400 pesos. We have heard of people being charged 500 pesos for a motoconcho ride.