transportation - getting around punta cana the way the local

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Transportation in the Punta Cana can be a little dicey.

You will see drivers and motorcyclists running red lights, driving on the wrong side of the road, parking on sidewalks, and breaking just about any road rule that can be broken.

You'd be amazed that people aren't crashing left and right every second, as motorcyclists swerve in and out of traffic.

 But if you're going to travel anywhere, and you want to travel in the same way that Dominicans do, then here are the 2 primary Dominican Transport methods:

1. Gua-Guas or Carritos

Guaguas (gwa-gwa) or mini-buses, and carritos (little cars) are the preferred form of transportation for people across the island. 

The Guaguas and Carritos are often packed to a loose interpretation of safe capacity, stuffing up to six people in the back, and two on the passenger side beside the driver. 

If you take a seat, be prepared to pick up more passengers as you go, and be prepared for it to get loud and uncomfortable before you get where you’re going.

The unwritten rule in Dominican Guagua transportation seems to be that:

There is always room for 1 more.

2. Moto-concho

The infamous Moto-conchos or motorcycle-taxis can be found all over Punta Cana: 

on street corners, 

in front of businesses, and 

schools. 

They are the transport of choice for the majority of Dominicans. 

They are fast, cheap, almost everywhere, and easily accessible to low income citizens.

The Moto-concho capital is without question - Punta Cana - where any day on the road is like a battle scene out of Star Wars, with motorbikes zooming in every direction.

If you are interested in having a genuine Dominican cultural experience:

A. spending time with a Dominican family,

B. eating authentic Dominican food prepared in a Dominican home (and not in a resort),

C. learning to talk Dominican,

D. learning to dance Merengue, and Bachata, and

E. taking a ride on a Dominican moto-concho

are the best ways to embrace the Dominican culture.