What Gurabo actually is
Gurabo is the hillside area on the east side of Santiago, reached by climbing out of the Yaque del Norte valley on the road toward the Cerros de Gurabo. It is largely residential and semi-rural rather than a resort zone: gated homes, small farms, a handful of hotels such as Camp David Ranch up on the ridge, and the cooler air that comes with the altitude. It borders Bella Vista and the Jardines Metropolitanos development, which is why some guests book it thinking they are heading into downtown Santiago and are surprised by the climb and the view instead. The $25 Standard rate is identical to the Santiago and Licey-Tamboril rate because the distance from STI is almost the same — what changes is the road, which switches from flat avenue to a winding hill route for the last few minutes.