The Dominican Republic features beaches, valleys, mountains and lively towns by the sea. Their landscapes are mesmerizing, thus making them famous all around the globe. It is a lovely island nation located on the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola next to Haiti in the Caribbean Sea.
This makes motorcycling in the Dominican Republic incredibly thrilling. There’s an abundance of choices in terms of routes, terrain and riding styles. You may discover colonial cities, weave through mountain routes, go along coastal highways, get lost in rural forests, see isolated fishing communities, and much more.
You’ll like riding in this tropical haven.I created this guide to assist you in getting around on two wheels so you can enjoy your motorcycle travels in the Dominican Republic to the fullest.
The ideal time to ride a motorcycle in the Dominican Republic
Riding conditions are year-round in the Dominican Republic. December through May are the most popular months to ride because of the somewhat cooler weather than during the summer. June through November is regarded as the rainy season and there may be occasional storms.
Accommodation
There are many hotels in the big cities and Airbnb is becoming more and more well liked. Still it is advisable to book ahead and have in mind that the chance of discovering a hotel or guest house diminishes in close proximity to the Dominican Haitian border.
If you plan to camp while on your Dominican Republic motorcycle holiday I suggest choosing official campgrounds. Note that you may need to provide the Ministry of Environment at least 30 days’ notice to use some campgrounds.
Dominican Republic traffic regulations
Most of the Dominican Republic’s highways are made of asphalt. Some aren’t flawless, though. However, if anyone wishes to travel off-road, they will witness a vast amount of it as well.
In the Dominican Republic, 100 kilometers on highways and 60 kilometers in urban areas is the speed limit. The system is based on right-hand driving. The speed limit on some routes is 80 kph, such as the Samaná highway. Signs, traffic lights, and road markers must all be observed.
When filling up your motorbike at a gas station, be mindful that the attendant may become confused if you use standard or normal gasoline instead of premium. Fuel stations are less common in rural locations, but they are easier to find in metropolitan areas.
The Dominican Republic’s top motorbike routes
Motorcycle enthusiasts who prefer off roading, dual sport riding and enduro racing have access to an amazing array of courses in the Dominican Republic.
The North Coast Route
The North Coast Highway, which connects the Samaná Peninsula with Puerto Plata, is one of our favorite roads. Amazing beaches can be seen as you ride down the coast, but for those with a bit more daring spirit, you can also take some side roads into the nearby highlands and experience thrilling twists through lush woods.
Santo Domingo to Constanza
Another of our favorite routes heads out of Santo Domingo, via La Vega and up to the mountain hamlet of Jarabacoa, where you can view many waterfalls and have delicious coffee. From there, drive a winding mountaintop route to Constanza. There you can go strawberry picking or see Salto de Aguas Blancas the highest waterfall in the Caribbean.
From there, you have two options: either return to Santo Domingo via the highway’s paved road or go out on a more difficult dirt route that leads into the heart of the Valle Nuevo National Park and its mountain woods, where nighttime temperatures may drop as low as 0°C. After that, you take a journey down to San Jose de Ocoa and eventually return to Santo Domingo by a different roadway.
Riding an Enduro in the Dominican Republic
It goes without saying that enduro courses are considerably shorter and are identified by spray-painted trail markings. Beginning in Santiago, La Vega, Jarabacoa, and Puerto Plata are some of our favorite locations for enduro riding. Take caution and be ready for challenging rides because a large portion of enduro riding in the Dominican Republic is genuinely hard enduro.
Places to visit
Here is a brief summary of some of the top locations, along with our own suggestions, that you should not miss while touring the Dominican Republic by motorcycle:
- Piramides de Valle Nuevo
- El Morro
- Puerto Plata’s teleférico
- Las Galeras
- Las Terrenas
- Montaña Redonda
- Colonial Zone
- Bahía de las Águilas
- Los Haitises
Which motorbike is ideal for the Dominican Republic?
This depends on your riding style, where you are riding, and what is accessible. We recommend mid-weight single or twin-cylinder bikes for touring the Dominican Republic. It will be challenging to maneuver large touring bikes through city traffic; a mid-weight bike should be plenty for all the Dominican Republic’s routes.
