How to Get to Bahia de las Aguilas from Santo Domingo via Public Transportation

A man riding a motorcycle towards Bahia de las Aguilas beach

Bahia de las Aguilas is arguably the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic. Actually, many would further argue it’s one of the best beaches in the world. Renown for its piercing blue crystal clear water and located in a gorgeous desert-like region, Bahia de las Aguilas is well worth the long journey through the southern Dominican Republic!

Related: Road trip through the Dominican Southwest

There are different ways of getting to Bahia de las Aguilas. Private taxi, private or group tour excursions (email: isabelle@dominicanabroad), car rental, and finally… public transportation (buses aka las guaguas and motos).

Below is an account by Fausto Giovanny, a traveler who shared his amazing solo journey through the Dominican southwest, getting to Bahia de las Aguilas beach by public transportation in ONE day. It was originally shared on our Dominican Republic Travel FB group.

Trip Report: Santo Domingo – Bahia de Las Aguillas Beach RT in 2 days

By: Fausto Giovanni

Santo Domingo to Barahona:

  • Wake up at 5 am and take an Uber from my hostel in la Zona Colonial to Caribe Tours bus station = $120 pesos ($2.5 USD)
  • Buy a ticket to the city of Barahona, leaving at 6:15 am = $300 pesos ($6 USD)
  • Arrive around 9:30 am to Barahona and walk towards the guagua (local bus) stop which is located two blocks south. You can ask people for directions it’s very close by. The guagua costs $275 pesos all the way to Pedernales = ($5.5 USD)

Barahona to Pedernales:

My original plan was to hop off and on the bus at various stops like Los Patos and Playa San Rafael but everyone on the bus advised against this and recommended to do it on the way back because there are more guaguas. The people were so friendly on the guagua and all talking to me and joking.

I also wanted to get off the bus on the turnoff to Cabo Rojo (the region that leads to Bahia de las Aguilas beach just before Pedernales) and catch a lift with a car going through. Again, everyone on the guagua advised against this because hitchhiking is not popular. They warned I could be waiting under the hot sun for who knows how long and that it’s dangerous if the wrong person passes and sees me. So I stayed on the bus straight to the city of Pedernales instead.

Pedernales to Bahia de las Aguilas:

In Pedernales, I had lunch at a cheap comedor (cafeteria-type eatery) and started looking for a motoconcho (motorcycle taxi). One guy wanted $1000 pesos ($20 USD) just to La Cueva, the entrance by a large open cave where you either drive on a rough road or take a boat to Bahia de Las Aguilas beach. But again everyone on the bus told me to walk to Hostal Dona Chavez and she’ll help me.

Dona Chavez answered my thousands of questions and called the driver. The motoconcho driver came and I negotiated a price of $1000 ($20 USD) pesos all the way to the beach of Bahia de las Aguilas (not just the entrance by the cave called La Cueva). He said I could easily find a boat back with some people heading back. A fisherman and hostel owner all told me that was a good price but some Dominicans said I got ripped off. This was the lowest I could negotiate. And honestly, sometimes haggling so much with locals when I have a stronger purchasing power is bad form and not worth it. Others would later tell me it was indeed a good price for an 80-minute moto ride.

An hour later we arrive at La Cueva and paid 150 pesos ($3 USD) for the entrance.

But some points on the road I had to get off and walk on the motorcycle because the road is not easy. This is not for just any car and there is a reason (beyond the beautiful views) why most people pay $20 to take a 15-minute boat ride to the beach.

Bahia de las Aguilas

Twenty minutes later and I’m finally at Bahia de las Aguilas around 2:30 PM.

The last boats head back at 5:30 PM and you can easily negotiate to go back to La Cueva for about 200 pesos ($4 USD) on any boat since they already have their group that’s paid.

I made friends and got a ride back. If you are a talker you can easily do this. We were the last ones and had the beach to ourselves.

I spent the night at Rancho Tipico in La Cueva area for some “glamping” accomodation on the beach. The cheapest was $1,750 pesos ($35 USD). Their dinner is pricey from $500-1000 pesos ($10-$20 USD). Although the stay was pricey, it was worth it 100 per cent. I’ve never seen so many stars in my life. I legit saw like 10 shooting stars. They build a bonfire. Bring your own liquor and snacks. A good breakfast was included.

Getting back to Santo Domingo is always easier

While I was there, I met a couple from Italy that was travelling and had a car. I got a ride with them all the way back to Santo Domingo and paid them $300 pesos for gas ($6 USD). Again if you are a talker you can probably at least get a ride to the main road or nearest town for the guagua back.

My friend paid $1700 pesos for a one day tour from Santo Domingo, including open bar and buffet lunch with a local company that has mixed reviews and leaves for 2 days and 1 night a few times a month. This is the cheapest way to go. But I enjoyed the adventure, meeting all the locals and the stay.

Bahia de las Aguilas beach is beautiful and very much worth the journey! The sunset is stunning.

Follow me on Instagram: fgptravels for my adventures through DR and the world.

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4 thoughts on “How to Get to Bahia de las Aguilas from Santo Domingo via Public Transportation

  1. Digna E Estrella says:

    Thank you so for sharing your experience of going to Bahia de las Aguilas. I am planning to go next week, but I was a bit hesitant to pay so much for a boat ride or for the food. Thanks to this review, I plan on staying a night at the glamping hotel. Was the food worth the price?

    • Isabelle says:

      In my opinion, it’s better that you stay in Pedernales which is cheaper and there is great food at: JALICAR (like $5 plates that are REALLY good). And the accommodations in Pedernales are cheaper AND it’s such a cute sleepy town that is safe, cultural, and quaint.

  2. Ana says:

    Hello! i am going to the DR. I bought the air plane ticket to Punta cana, because I thought PC would be wonderful, but now I realize that Sanama is so much better. I would like to stay at el valle or bahia de aguadila.
    I have a question: is it cheaper to pay for hotels, rsstaurants and taxis there? Because the prices you mentioned in pesos is só much cheaper! As such, can I just go to an hotel and ask to stay there and pay in pesos? Thank you!!!

  3. Konstantinos says:

    Dear Isabelle,
    Thank you for the super detailed review. I have a beautiful 4 day window during my d.r trip and i pretty much want to spend those days in Bahia de las aguilas. Staying in Pedernales sounds like a good option, but… i really don’t want to pay each for the ale retour boat from la cueva to las aguilas (afraid it’s gonna be an easy 50$ each day, not to add the pedernales – cabo rojo return trip. So, i am wandering if you can provide a suggestion for budget transfers to the beach (aguilas only). Should i rent a moto and drive the dirt road myself? Will i be allowed without a motoconcho driver? Is there a hotel owner in Pedernales who can arrange that? I wrote to dona chavez (both in English and Google translated in Spanish) but she never answered. Maybe i have to book at Rancho Typico and go daily excursions with them, maybe it’s cheaper for guests. Sorry for the long one, thank you in advance.

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