Sosua Reports

[Phuquer]

Most of the information in my post is very basic, but I hope it will help another first timer who is wondering what Sosua is like.

I arrived at Puerto Plata International Airport in the early afternoon. As you leave the jetway, the first thing you will see is the guys playing Merengue music. You make a right and you will see the first currency exchange. In front of that there is a guy collecting the $10 Tourist Tax. If you look Hispanic, can pass for Hispanic, or can speak decent Spanish, try telling him 'Yo naci en la Capital'. He asked me if I was born here and my instinctive response was to say I was not. I paid the $10 then asked him if I said I was would he let me pass. He said he would have taken me on my word. Next time I'll try not to pay.

When you pass him, you will reach immigration. If you have a choice, walk to the line with a female agent. There is less of a chance that a female will try to scam you.

Pass immigration and go through customs. Hand them your customs form and hopefully keep walking.

Outside you will see the line of taxi drivers vying for your attention. The correct fare (although I think it is excessive for the distance) is $25US, or 1200DOP.

The hotels that most mongers stay at are along Calle Dr. Rosen. Those hotels are Casa Cayena, New Garden, Casa Valeria, Terra Linda, Hotel Orchidee, and Rocky's. There are other hotels in the area, but these seem to be the most popular, and are all guest friendly.

There are two major beaches in the area. Playa Alicea, and Playa Sosua. Playa Alicea is a peaceful beach. You can sit in the sand and nobody will bother you. The beach is very clean, and it is a nice place to relax. This is not the place to look for women, though.

Playa Sosua is where everyone goes from around noon through around 5PM. As you walk towards the beach, you will see a number of dive shops, souvenir shops, art studios, etc. As you reach the beach, you see the restaurants. There are plenty of places to eat, drink, and party right by the beach. I saw quite a few available women strolling the boardwalk. They will make their presence known. After around 5PM, the beach starts to clear up, the restaurants close, and everyone starts to leave.

At around 6PM, the place to be is Rhumbas. Rhumbas is on the corner of Dr. Rosen and Pedro Calisante, right by the yellow taxi stand. You walk in, grab a seat, and enjoy the show. There are women to satisfy all tastes in this place. As the evening progresses, the women rotate. I suggest if you see somebody you like, you let her know right away. On my first night one young lady passed by that was absolutely perfect in my eyes. On a scale of 1 to 10, she was an 11. I decided to wait for her to walk around the room, and that was my biggest mistake. I never saw her again for the remainder of my trip. Anyway, the going rate is about $1500-$2000DOP for a short time. Some girls will take $1000, but $1500-$2000 is the rate for most.

At around 11PM, everyone moves over to D'Latin Disco on the same block on Pedro Calisante and Camino Libre. Some people complain that it is too enclosed there. I found it just fine. It was neither hot nor cold while I was there. The music is very loud, though. It is difficult to talk to the girls and negotiate. It does seem a little more high end than Rhumbas, though. While Rhumbas reminds me of a beer bar in Thailand (a place I am familiar with) , D'Latin reminds me of a high end disco. The music is very good, ambiance is that of a disco, and the bartenders put on a pretty good show as they serve the drinks. They seem to enjoy themselves here. The prices for girls here are the same as at Rhumbas (as they are the same girls). $1500-$2000 for short time. I didn't try to take anyone for TLN, but my understanding is that it would cost around $3000.

At 3:00 AM, if you are still in the mood to party, you can head to After One which is located in the same building as the Sosua Bay Grand Casino. That's the place where everyone goes after 3AM. The cover charge is $200. The music and drinks are great (same DJ and bartenders as D'Latins) , and the crowd is lively. If you are not in the mood to party, you can save the cover charge and just pick up from the many girls hanging out in front of the club. Chances are you can negotiate $1000 much easier at this time.

If you want to head out to Cabarete and you want to be adventurous, walk down Calle Dr Rosen to Ruta 5 (the main road from Puerto Plata to Cabarete and beyond) , cross the road and stand near the taxi stand. Every few minutes, a Publico (or Public Car) will stop. You will know it is a public car because it has a blue sign on top that says where it goes. Most will say Puerto Plata / Cabarete. When you get in, ask to get off in Central Cabarete. The correct fare is 35 pesos. It helps to have correct change in coins. Coming back, take the Publico to Sosua Central for the same fare. They will sometimes try to scam you for a higher fare, but if you look like you know what you are doing, pay the correct fare and just walk, you will have no problems.

Cell Phones and Electronics (Topic of the day) :

I brought my ten year old Palm Treo with me. My iPhone stayed locked in the hotel safe and was only used to browse the web, do email, and stuff like that. The Claro store was closed when I got there so I went to the Orange store next to Banco Popular. When they tried to get me a sim, the system to check passports was down. As I left, one of the ladies there offered to sell me a customers sim for $100 (the same price as if I bought it new). She (the Orange salesperson) gave me the phone number, added $200 pesos, placed the sim in my phone and tried it out. I walked out with a number with no passport or I'd needed. I had no problems throughout my trip with any random calls, the phone service worked great, and I didn't have to worry about anyone stealing my phone. I recommend leaving the toys at home. Remember, you are on vacation.

When it's time to head back to the airport, you should be prepared to leave Sosua at least two hours before your flight. It will take ½ hour to get to the airport, ½ hour to check in and get through security, and that gives you about 1 hour in case anything goes wrong. Taxis are plentiful and can be found in front of the hotels along Calle Dr. Rosen. The fare to the airport is the same as from the airport, $25USD, or $1200DOP.

Final thoughts:

I can see why people get addicted to this place. It is very laid back. If you are awake, you should not have any problems. Leave the attitude at home. Don't accept unwanted help from strangers. Drink, but don't get drunk. Honor the deals you negotiate with the chicas. Lock up everything in your room because they will try to take advantage if you make it easy for them (as can happen anywhere else).

It is easy to strike up a conversation with non-pros and semi-pros. They respond well to advances, and if you are looking for it, you can find a really nice girl to start a real relationship with here. Before my trip I signed up for Dominican Cupidad and made a number of contacts and got quite a few phone numbers, but once on the ground I realized that it was a waste of time and money as I never felt the need to call any of those young ladies.

There is something for everyone in Sosua. If you are a hardcore monger that like sport fucking, you can get your fill. If you are like me that likes to mix mongering with non mongering activities, you will find lots to do in the area, and the beaches are fantastic. If you don't monger at all, but are looking for love, there are plenty of places away from the night scene where women will be receptive to your advances.

I had a great vacation, I got a bit involved with someone (definitely not my usual M. O, but I followed through because I wanted to see how it would turn out) , and I decided I will definitely return there soon.

Lastly, I know some on the board swear by resorts like Blackbeards, among other places. I personally didn't find it necessary to go to a place like that. Everything you might need is readily available on the streets of Sosua, and if you just exercise a bit of caution, leave the attitude at home, and don't flash your wealth, you will be safe and you will be able to get all the women you can handle without needing to go to a resort.

I want to thank my new friends, the Party of Six, including Shamester and Bunda Man who I hung out with on this trip and they helped make it a very memorable vacation. You will definitely meet some very cool people if you are willing to talk and make friends.

You may not agree with all my opinions, but these are my personal observations as a first time (but definitely not a last time) visitor to Sosua.

[Bimmy5]

No secret, but 99% of mongers seem to manage it OK. Alcoholics, racists, loud-mouths, exhibitionists, drug-takers, bullies, and the terminally stupid will usually find trouble eventually.

My tips to improve the odds in Sosua (cannot speak for other locations) :

1) Avoid "the Strip" by night. That area attracts all the scum of the island, and a lot of scum from abroad.

2) Choose haitianas rather than dominicanas.

3) If you have to drink, do it by daylight.

4) Have as little contact with Dominicans as possible. There are many decent Dominicans in the DR, but not many in Sosua.

Except for perhaps No. 3 this is the worst advice I have ever seen. If you have to follow these rules why go to Sosua at all. I love Sosua but I couldn't if I followed these rules.

[GrownMan1]

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto; 1547205]Really? I cannot speak about Sosua. Given my limited exposure but I have not had any issue there or in the DR at large. I also went around before there was Internet / forums like this and all by myself just the way I still do. Never had any problem that I can think of, anywhere, whether it was a business or a pleasure trip. [/QUOTE.

Really? I don't know if you're lucky or just very fortunate. I was a victim my very first time and aI few times after. And everytime I go back, I always witness someone who becomes a victims of the DR bullshit. There are a lot of good people in the DR. There are also a lot of opportunist. Especially if you are in the mongering business. If not careful you can be a victim from the point of getting off the airplane. I have yet to meet a Vet Besides yourself, That can give DR a squeaky clean pass. Most gives words of wisdom because they know Things can go ugly real fast. There are some members on this forum That dedicate a lot of their time writing just to help newbies avoid these pitfalls

[Tempoecorto]

When people know that you're a new in the area they take advantage of your politeness and lack of knowledge. Street hustlers the police and chicas can pinpoint newbies a mile away. If you're by yourself that makes you a bigger Target for their bullshit.

Really? I cannot speak about Sosua.given my limited exposure but I have not had any issue there or in the DR at large. I also went around before there was Internet / forums like this and all by myself just the way I still do. Never had any problem that I can think of, anywhere, whether it was a business or a pleasure trip.

[Tempoecorto]

i also have the simple plan from t mobile. it's 20 cents a minute for talk and free international data and text. the data sometimes throttles down to 2g speed. it's okay but i just use my dr phone and add orange or claro minutes.

ah ok thanks. i am not going to watch movie or you tube or football game on my cell so it does not matter even if it is 2g but that i can use my regular phone for email and apps like whatsapp already is a good thing. unfortunately, yes, it still calls for a local phone for local calls.

[Tempoecorto]

The other point that I missed is that if you provide one of these roaming SIMs to your DR fuck buddy, then you can call each other both ways as a local US call for no international cell phone tariff. At least I think so.

Actually, T mobile states that the number cannot be abroad for more than 6 weeks and not more than 3 months out of a 6 month period to prevent abuse but, LOL. Why complicate life? Fuckbuddies come and go and let it be that way; at least for me. Rolling stones gather no moss!

[Rahsta]

Something new. Coming in to POP this time, the young guy checking my passport smiled, extended his palm downwards and said in a low voice,"Do you have a present for me?".

He had my passport, so I gave him $5. 00. I didn't need to get into a hassle by complaining to his supervisor, and who knows where that would lead, and how long it would take.

Figured it as just another tax, so I'll leave it a younger more vigilant passenger to do the crusading.

In 2009 a passport agent stamp my passport then pointed down to a note that said something like " Today is my birthday, can can you give me 100 pesos". She had the note out of site of everyone else. It was written in english. I just took my passport and kept it moving.

[Mr Gogo]

i just found out that one can roam free internationally on t mobile since this month or last and so i plan to use it on my next trip. this essentially means that i can use the data. gps or texting etc. for i cannot use that to call locally but call out only to us using wifi is ok blabla (speaking of making you jump through the hoops). how is it panning out for you given that you are on t-mobile? who is the carrier of tmobile in the dr?

i also have the simple plan from t mobile. it's 20 cents a minute for talk and free international data and text. the data sometimes throttles down to 2g speed. it's okay but i just use my dr phone and add orange or claro minutes.

[Frannie]

Sure, but you are a full time world traveler, or it appears that way from the messages you post. We are talking about someone making a first time or casual trip to the DR for a few days who is interested in avoiding common problems that the unwary can run into, like being parted from a very expensive phone.

Incidentally the T-Mobile plan sounds like a great deal and I would absolutely get it myself except that T-Mobile 4G Internet has no signal at the US location where I spend some of my time (but At&T does). The $80 per month plan includes unlimited 4G date on the phone (plus unlimited calls and texting) , plus up to 5 gigabytes of unthrottled $4G tethering data (I. E. You can use the phone as a modem to connect a tablet or notebook computer to the Internet.)

http://www.cnet.com/news/t-mobile-to...al-data-texts/

By the way, the T-Mobile plan will work perfectly well with a $100 Nokia 521 Windows phone and this includes the free downloadable maps that can be used in rural locations without any data connection.

One could presumably buy the T-Mobile plan as a gift for a "friend" in the DR. Used in conjunction with a prepaid international calling service like this one:

https://www.unitedpinless.com/how-it-works

The person in the DR could make free calls to landlines in the DR and buy calls to cell phones for 7. 7 cents per minute, which would be cheaper than buying prepaid time from Orange or Claro (I think.)

The other point that I missed is that if you provide one of these roaming SIMs to your DR fuck buddy, then you can call each other both ways as a local US call for no international cell phone tariff. At least I think so.

[GrownMan1]

[QUOTE=Surfer500; 1547067]

If you have a plan with cheap international roaming, it will work just as well if you bring your SIM from home and put it in a $10 unlocked phone in the DR. If you get a DR SIM card and phone, you can call the US for the same price as a local call in the US. You can make cheap international calls from Internet cafes in the DR. If you have a Skype enabled phone you can make cheap international calls via your hotel's wi-fi or from restaurants. You can get a year's worth of unlimited calls to US phone numbers for about $30, or you can use Magic Jack too.

There are lots of ways to skin a cat.

On my last trip I bought a cheap phone from Orange for 800 pesos which I used to contact the Chicas in Sousa / Puerto Plata and left my "I" phone back in the USA. I also have a worldwide plan thru Skype on my laptop so I was able to call my USA phone to retrieve any messages and also call the USA via Skype. I was also able to call the USA on my Orange phone but it was expensive to do so, so Skype was the way to go and what I would recommend to have. I found no need to be have my "I" phone with me utilizing a local phone and Skype on my laptop.

On HTC or better phones you can download magicJack For the free. The service isn't always good but as long as there is wifi you get to make unlimited free calls to the US and Canada. As well as you receive them

[GrownMan1]

[QUOTE=Surfer500; 1547067]

If you have a plan with cheap international roaming, it will work just as well if you bring your SIM from home and put it in a $10 unlocked phone in the DR. If you get a DR SIM card and phone, you can call the US for the same price as a local call in the US. You can make cheap international calls from Internet cafes in the DR. If you have a Skype enabled phone you can make cheap international calls via your hotel's wi-fi or from restaurants. You can get a year's worth of unlimited calls to US phone numbers for about $30, or you can use Magic Jack too.

There are lots of ways to skin a cat.

On my last trip I bought a cheap phone from Orange for 800 pesos which I used to contact the Chicas in Sousa / Puerto Plata and left my "I" phone back in the USA. I also have a worldwide plan thru Skype on my laptop so I was able to call my USA phone to retrieve any messages and also call the USA via Skype. I was also able to call the USA on my Orange phone but it was expensive to do so, so Skype was the way to go and what I would recommend to have. I found no need to be have my "I" phone with me utilizing a local phone and Skype on my laptop.

[GrownMan1]

Its sounds like the 6'6 cop either isn't too bright or he has the worst luck in the world. After reading about his adventures, I am positive it is a combination of both! Its probably best he stay in NY walking the beat. (I will admit, it is highly entertaining to read about his exploits)

When people know that you're a new in the area they take advantage of your politeness and lack of knowledge. Street hustlers the police and chicas can pinpoint newbies a mile away. If you're by yourself that makes you a bigger Target for their bullshit. I applaud any newbie that has been on this site for information prior to there trip.

[Frannie]

I would say it all depends on your M.O. An 800 peso Orange phone is not going to do shit for me. I have that free international internet plan from T-mobile so I keep my Galaxy S1 with my US SIM on in the 100 countries that I am able to for free.

Sure, but you are a full time world traveler, or it appears that way from the messages you post. We are talking about someone making a first time or casual trip to the DR for a few days who is interested in avoiding common problems that the unwary can run into, like being parted from a very expensive phone.

Incidentally the T-Mobile plan sounds like a great deal and I would absolutely get it myself except that T-Mobile 4G Internet has no signal at the US location where I spend some of my time (but At&T does). The $80 per month plan includes unlimited 4G date on the phone (plus unlimited calls and texting) , plus up to 5 gigabytes of unthrottled $4G tethering data (I. E. You can use the phone as a modem to connect a tablet or notebook computer to the Internet.)

http://www.cnet.com/news/t-mobile-to...al-data-texts/

By the way, the T-Mobile plan will work perfectly well with a $100 Nokia 521 Windows phone and this includes the free downloadable maps that can be used in rural locations without any data connection.

One could presumably buy the T-Mobile plan as a gift for a "friend" in the DR. Used in conjunction with a prepaid international calling service like this one:

https://www.unitedpinless.com/how-it-works

The person in the DR could make free calls to landlines in the DR and buy calls to cell phones for 7. 7 cents per minute, which would be cheaper than buying prepaid time from Orange or Claro (I think.)

[Tempoecorto]

I would say it all depends on your M.O. An 800 peso Orange phone is not going to do shit for me. I have that free international internet plan from T-mobile so I keep my Galaxy S1 with my US SIM on in the 100 countries that I am able to for free. I keep a separate Galaxy S4 knock off with a local SIM for local calls. I am going from city to city and communicating with most of my chicks through whats app. I just brought a chica home in the capital. She had no idea how to get to her house. If it was not for my smartphone with GPS I would have been stuck hiring a taxi to follow to and from.

I just found out that one can roam free internationally on T mobile since this month or last and so I plan to use it on my next trip. This essentially means that I can use the data. Gps or texting etc. For I cannot use that to call locally but call out only to US using wifi is ok blabla (speaking of making you jump through the hoops). How is it panning out for you given that you are on t-mobile? Who is the carrier of tmobile in the DR?

[Mr Enternational]

I would say it all depends on your M.O. An 800 peso Orange phone is not going to do shit for me. I have that free international internet plan from T-mobile so I keep my Galaxy S1 with my US SIM on in the 100 countries that I am able to for free. I keep a separate Galaxy S4 knock off with a local SIM for local calls. I am going from city to city and communicating with most of my chicks through whats app. I just brought a chica home in the capital. She had no idea how to get to her house. If it was not for my smartphone with GPS I would have been stuck hiring a taxi to follow to and from.