Travelling with children to Las Terrenas: seats, luggage, transfers

<p>Travelling with children means planning transport in more detail: seats, luggage, breaks. This guide sums up what Dominican law says about children in cars, how to ask for what you need, and what we still don't know.</p> <h2>What Law 63-17 says about children in cars</h2> <p>According to INTRANT, the national land transport and transit authority, Article 69 of Law 63-17 (2017) provides that:</p> <ul> <li>children up to 12 years old travel in the back seats, except in single-cab pickups;</li> <li>up to age 6, in a special child seat;</li> <li>from over 6 up to 12, on a booster seat;</li> <li>breaking the rule carries a fine of one to three minimum salaries of the central public sector, plus points off the driver's licence.</li> </ul> <p>The INTRANT page that explains this shows no date (we checked it on October 4, 2026) and does not say how the rule applies to taxis or public transport. Rules can change: check them before you travel.</p> <h2>Ask for a seat in your request</h2> <ul> <li>Tick <strong>child seat</strong> in the <a href="/en/request/" rel="noopener">request form</a> and give the number of children.</li> <li>In the message, add each child's <strong>age</strong>, and their weight if you know it, so it is clear whether a child seat or a booster is needed.</li> <li>Whether seats and boosters are available is <strong>to be confirmed</strong> with each carrier: we found no public data on this. Our team tells you on WhatsApp what is available before you commit to anything.</li> <li>There may be an extra charge for a seat. On our fare pages it is shown next to the fare, with its amount or marked "to be confirmed".</li> <li>If you bring your own seat, say so too: it takes up space in the boot.</li> </ul> <h2>Moto-taxis and children</h2> <p>Decree 256-20 (2020) limits each motorcycle to one driver and one passenger (a second passenger only with a sidecar) and requires children and young people aged 8 to 14 weighing at least 23 kg to wear a helmet that fits their size. Article 157 of Law 63-17 also requires every motorcycle passenger to wear an approved helmet. With children, the simple option is to ask for a car. These rules are dated and may change: check them before you travel.</p> <h2>Luggage, strollers and vehicle type</h2> <ul> <li>List your suitcases and bulky items: stroller, travel cot, your own car seat.</li> <li>If you have a lot of luggage, pick a larger vehicle in the <strong>preferred vehicle</strong> field, such as a minivan.</li> <li>According to Rough Guides, there is little room for luggage on guaguas: with children and suitcases, they are not the most comfortable option.</li> </ul> <h2>Long transfers with children</h2> <ul> <li>From El Catey (AZS), the official tourism site gives about 30 minutes to Las Terrenas.</li> <li>From Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata or Santiago we found no reliable journey time: it is <strong>to be confirmed</strong> with our team.</li> <li><strong>Breaks:</strong> agree on them with the driver before you set off (where and when to stop). There are no set stops we can point you to.</li> <li>Give your flight number, so the carrier can take your actual arrival time into account.</li> <li>Keep water, snacks and the little ones' essentials within reach in case the journey runs long.</li> </ul> <p>More detail for each airport in <a href="/en/guides/getting-to-las-terrenas-from-the-airports/" rel="noopener">getting to Las Terrenas from the airports</a>.</p> <h2>Family outings from Las Terrenas</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Playa Bonita:</strong> its western end is as still as a swimming pool and popular with families, according to the official tourism site.</li> <li><strong>Playa Las Ballenas:</strong> a wide beach that is a favourite for swimming (official tourism site).</li> <li><strong>Salto El Limón:</strong> the village of El Limón is about half an hour from Las Terrenas, according to Lonely Planet. The waterfall is reached along a 2.5 km trail on horseback or on foot (official tourism site), and Rough Guides puts the round trip by horse at about three hours. Allow for that when you plan the ride back: see <a href="/en/las-terrenas-to-el-limon/" rel="noopener">Las Terrenas – El Limón</a>.</li> </ul> <h2>Send a request</h2> <p>A <a href="/en/private-driver-las-terrenas/" rel="noopener">private driver</a> lets you fit the day around the children. Send your <a href="/en/request/" rel="noopener">request</a>: only your WhatsApp number is required. Our team confirms the price, the vehicle and the available seat on WhatsApp; a request is not a confirmed booking.</p>