I didn’t get to ride the Teleferico de Santo Domingo, but I did ride the Santo Domingo Metro. Here in Santiago de los Caballeros, I took the morning to experience the Santiago Cable Car.
I spent three nights in Santiago de los Caballeros, the 2nd largest city in the Dominican Republic, enjoying the city’s top sights:
The Santiago Cable Car began operating in May 2024 and runs between Estación Central – Las Carreras and Yolanda Santana with 2 intermediate stations: Padre Emiliano Tardif and Renee Klang de Guzmán. The distance covered is 4km.
Facts about the Santiago Cable Car:
- Capacity of 4,000 people per hour per direction
- Maximum speed of 25 km/h
- 129 Cabins which hold up to 12 people
- 4.0 km of Line
- 23 pylons or support towers
Buying Tickets for the Santiago Cable Car:
I bought a single ticket that cost 35 pesos:
You can also buy the Santiago Integrated Transportation System (SIT Stgo) mobility card, which can be purchased and recharged at Cable Car stations. The SIT Santiago card costs 100 pesos, including a one-time payment of RD$60.00 for the card itself and a balance of RD$40.00.
Once it’s up and running, the card can be used on the Santiago Monorail.
You can also pay for each ride using contactless via VISA and MasterCard debit and credit cards:
I rode the Santiago Cable Car from the first station, Terminal Central:
The 129 Cabins, which can carry up to 12 people, are constructed by POMA, a French company founded by Jean Pomagalski, who opened their first cable car on Alpe d’Huez in 1936.
Approaching the Emiliano Tardif station:
Aerial view of Santiago de los Caballeros:
View of the Puente Hermanos Patiño Bridge:
Approaching the Renée Klang de Guzman station:
I rode the Santiago Cable Car to the 4th and last station, Yolanda Santana:
You need to scan your ticket on leaving, so don’t lose it.
After the requisite photos of the Yolanda Santana cable car station, I bought another single paper ticket and got off at the 3rd station, Renée Klang de Guzman:
Then, I walked across the Puente Hermanos Patiño bridge to the second station, Emiliano Tardif:
Thoughts on the Santiago Cable Car:
The price is good. It’s fast and efficient. Am curious how many people are using it during rush hour.
It serves the poorer neighbourhoods on the south side of the city, but there is a long gap between the 3rd and 4th stations. They need to put in 2 additional stations to encourage people to use the cable car more, because as it is at the moment, it’s quite a walk if you live between the last 2 stations and from what I have seen here in the Dominican Republic, people don’t walk anywhere. Hence, the worsening pollution and insane traffic congestion, as it’s just so much easier to take the car.
The system is running 7 days a week and operates to the following schedule:
Monday to Friday: 6 am to 10:30 pm
Saturday: 6 am to 9 pm
Sunday: 8 am to 9 pm
