Also me, I will not go to Costa Rica. Let's go to Cuba !!!
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Also me, I will not go to Costa Rica. Let's go to Cuba !!!
Since the FX rates are changing on a daily basis it seems, here is a link to a useful little cheat sheet I have recommended to people that don't yet "think" in pesos.
http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet?user=drtourist
Just print it out and keep it in your wallet, it comes in handy.
You know its sad to say but RearWindow you're correct - even though the "DR" is getting more expensive it still may be the best value for fun - that's within 3 hours of the U.S.
Costa Rica is the worst kept secret in the Western Hemisphere - getting real pricey!
Norm - if you're set on going to San Jose however, I pm'd you con consejo! (advice) ;)
I'm a underpaid government slave, and I can afford the DR. The latest Travelocity alert I received was 2 days ago: $188 R/T from DCA to SDQ.
If I can only escape to the Dominican Republic for about 3 days what city should I visit. I speak no spanish so ease and also safety are most important. I am very informed about the area because of the boards, however because of my limited schedule I need to be in out of the country pretty quick, however I want to make the most of the trip.
Thanks is advanced for my future 1st time trip to paradise.
Hi Baltimonger,
You're right, the prices for flights are still cheap - JFK to POP or SDQ is still a bargain right thru the winter.
I think the concern people have about prices starts once you "hit" the ground. (lol)
Ford and others,
Just don't follow my lead. Negotiate hard.
Hotels, taxis, and chicas who quote US$ prices instead of RD$ help keep your costs down. That's the one good thing about the plummeting exchange rate. The rest is just a premium on food, drinks, and ambiance, I think it all evens out in the long run.
Of course, you could have the problem I have: Go to the DR for a week, come back and find out your boss has docked you a week's pay. That really hurts!
There was a difference in exchange rates between the Western Union in Boca Chica and Las Americas Airport of 6.5 pesos my last day in the DR (Oct. 4).
I picked up a SW in Baltimore the other night who asked me how my DR trip was. Another monger had told her about it, and asked her if I was back yet. I'm famous.:D
Hey amigos,
Do I need a passport if I'm an American Citizen to enter DR? The state Dept. says no, but I rather hear it from one of you who have recently been through the process.
Thanks,
Expat
Baltimonger wrote:
Of course, you could have the problem I have: Go to the DR for a week, come back and find out your boss has docked you a week's pay. That really hurts!
........ouch! Yeah, that would suck! :(
(It sounds like your boss is in need of a week in Boca Chica or Sosua)
northbound -
If you only have time for a short 3 or 4 day trip, I think you should consider sticking to the northcoast and stay in the Sosua/Cabarete area.
If you make reservations at a place like the Sosua Palace, the owner is a great guy and will be happy to give you the 5 cent tour of the area and the town. Also, there is usually a friendly group of "players" in house that will be happy to show you the ropes.
The fact that you don't speak Spanish however, is always going to be an issue when negotiating with the chicas anywhere in the country.
Cheers.
To Northbound,
Sosua would be your best bet. Everything is on one street, Pedro Clisante, and within walking distance. In Puerto Plata or parts of Santo Domingo you'll need to take taxis or motoconchos (dirtbikes that the natives use to transport tourists). Sosua is like the village in New York City where everything is next to each other. When you arrive at the Palace ask John if anyone of the people staying at the palace speak spanish. If so find out if you can hang with them. Most of the tourists who stay at the palace do not speak english but do just fine meeting the girls. As long as you know that the average rate is RD1500 for short term and overnight RD 3000 then you'll do okay. You can even find short term for RD 1000. I've met guys who have only a small understanding of spanish but can still negotiate. Also ,ask the girls if they speak english. John can even translate for you if you deal with one of the girls at the palace.
Northbound,
You can also try Blackbeards, in Puerto Plata. The chicas are on site and the prices are fixed at RD 1500 for short term and overnight at RD 3000. Also, the management there speak both enblish and spanish and two or three girls are bilingual. The management also has a book listing all the girls they have and what they do or do not do. You can ask to look at the book (I've seen the book myself!) and choose a girl. The management can interpret for you. The only problem with Blackbeards is that it is not technically in Puerto Plata but outside of it on Costambar. If you want to go to Puerto Plata you need to take a cab and to get around you need a cab. Blackbeards has a bar, they serve food, and about 30 girls who appear on site every so often throughout the day. For such a short time and for simplicity this might be your best bet. If you have further questions you can PM me.
Thanks for the help.
One more thing. How much $$ do you guys usually walk around with, I probably would not keep anything in the hotel..So are there lots of atm's around.
Also when you start negotiating with girls do you feel the quality of the service goes down?
If I make down there I will give a my first time experience report to the board. Maybe even some photo's if I can.
Thanks again, and if you ever find yourselfs in the southeast of florida I'll be glad to help.
Expat,
I just went there without a passport Sept. 28 to Oct. 4. It slows you up a little going through immigration, but not that big of a hassle. They take you into another room, take your picture, use your driver's license number as a control number they feed into a computer, and return you back to the immigration line where they stamp your birth certificate.
All things considered, I think a passport would have been better to have. The irony is that I work at a place that processes passports, but never thought about getting one before.
Hope this helps.
K.J. Baltimonger