Sosua Reports

[BrohamaJohn]

Alright I'm sold. I'm going to make DR Sosua my next trip.

Hola hermanos,

Was in Sosua at the beginning of August, 1 week.

The weather was hellish, crazy heat wave; I could only stay outside early in the morning and at night. Apart from that, I had an amazing time there.

This was my first time in the DR, so didn't really know what to expect, since the reviews here are mixed.

Want to thank all members that are posting here. Price reference, hotel locations, their previous experience info was really awesome!

Day 1.

I hate flying and airports, 10 hour flight from and American W coast, so was a little tired. I stayed by the pool, had a few beers and chatted with my facebook contacts. I prefer semi-pros so facebook is a good place to find them. It was during the work weeks, so they were all working, couldn't come over. Went shopping to Super Pola, close to Antonio Havier and H 5. Store is awesome, good prices and clean, fresh produce. There is also a good pharmacy and Scotiabank at same location. Grabbed some food and cervezas, (girls like Presidente).

On my way back from the store, a cute petite started talking to me. I told her no espaniol, since my Spanish is limited and I was carrying all my groceries, sweating like a pig, so no good time to chat..

[Tempoecorto]

Just FYI, you can also exchange currency at the Western Union office, which is located across the street from the Supermercado Playero.

There is a Western Union branch at the Super Pola location but as far as I am concerned, the other one in Sosua center (as mentioned by you) is equally good as the super pola is at some distance for most without a vehicle. The Western Union and Caribe Express (Which is far. In Charamico) gives the best rates, any day.

[Manizales911]

I saw the Scotiabank bank sign on the Super Pola building. So the bank or ATM must be inside the store or somewhere close to it. Not sure tho. I never used a bank in DR.

If you need to exchange currency, I would strongly advise you to use an exchange office there. You get much better rates than banks in US or can or the local banks.

Just need to do a bit of shopping around for best rate.

Stay away from the airport exchange office, they're thieves.

Unless it is brand new there is no Scotiabank in Super Pola, there are three ATM's in the Super Pola building one is Scotiabank, one is Banco Popular and the other is Banco Leon, the Scotiabank ATM is almost always out of order or out of money. The ATM's are to the right of the entrance to the store, not actually in the store.

[Quagmire1974]

Did you get a better cash exchange rate at that exchange comparing to a local bank?

Just FYI, you can also exchange currency at the Western Union office, which is located across the street from the Supermercado Playero.

[Questner]

I saw the Scotiabank bank sign on the Super Pola building. So the bank or ATM must be inside the store or somewhere close to it. Not sure tho. I never used a bank in DR.

If you need to exchange currency, I would strongly advise you to use an exchange office there. You get much better rates than banks in US or can or the local banks.

Just need to do a bit of shopping around for best rate.

Stay away from the airport exchange office, they're thieves.

Thank you, I am planning to check it out soon. As for now, I know of only two nearest branches, one in Pto Pta, and the second in Cabarete.

Did you get a better cash exchange rate at that exchange comparing to a local bank?

[WarmGun]

From Warm Gun's report "Went shopping to Super Pola, close to Antonio Havier and H 5. Store is awesome, good prices and clean, fresh produce. There is also a good pharmacy and Scotiabank at same location. Grabbed some food and cervezas, (girls like Presidente)" So, is there a Scotiabank at Super Pola?

I saw the Scotiabank bank sign on the Super Pola building. So the bank or ATM must be inside the store or somewhere close to it. Not sure tho. I never used a bank in DR.

If you need to exchange currency, I would strongly advise you to use an exchange office there. You get much better rates than banks in US or can or the local banks.

Just need to do a bit of shopping around for best rate.

Stay away from the airport exchange office, they're thieves.

[Frannie]

"Eres Bella" or "Eres hermosa" even though "eres guapa" would work. I am speculating here but I think the auxiliary verb "ser" or "estar" creates the difference in meaning.

I think you are right! Estas refers to a temporary state of being, such as a change of mood, or permanency only if you are saying where a business is located or giving a location. Eres refers to something permanent that is part of the nature of something. So "eres dominicana?" is OK, but "estas dominicana?" would always be wrong. (Ignore lack of Spanish punctuation for the question, but note that words like dominicana are not capitalized in Spanish.) So guapa meaning angry would always be associated with forms of the verb "estar" not "ser", but guapa meaning beautiful would be associated with the auxiliary verb "ser".

Anyway, for practical purposes I would not worry about it. You can just say "tu guapa" and they will probably get your gist.

[Questner]

From Warm Gun's report "Went shopping to Super Pola, close to Antonio Havier and H 5. Store is awesome, good prices and clean, fresh produce. There is also a good pharmacy and Scotiabank at same location. Grabbed some food and cervezas, (girls like Presidente)" So, is there a Scotiabank at Super Pola?

[Frannie]

None of the girls corrected me. They all said thanks.

How do you say you're beautiful in DR?

Estas muy guapa. (no final "s".

While in most Spanish-speaking countries this would indeed mean "You are beautiful", in the DR it means "You are angry".

Actually it would mean "those very beautiful"and would not make sense, because "estas" is not correct in this context.

I should not worry too much about being correct, they will understand you. Something like "eres muy linda, hermosa, bella" would be better. You would not really use "estas" in this context unless referring to something like "you are really beautiful in that dress" or something like that.

[Mr Enternational]

None of the girls corrected me. They all said thanks.

How do you say you're beautiful in DR?

Bonita, linda, hermosa. It seems you learned Mexican Spanish. Great report WG.

[Tempoecorto]

None of the girls corrected me. They all said thanks.

How do you say you're beautiful in DR?

"Eres Bella" or "Eres hermosa" even though "eres guapa" would work. I am speculating here but I think the auxiliary verb "ser" or "estar" creates the difference in meaning.

Pooter is right, Guapa has this additional meaning in the Latin-American context, where guapo means "mad" or "upset". Estas guapo conmigo? No te pongas guapo conmigo. Etc. In any case, guapa, the traditional meaning is understood.

One curious example: Joder. In Spain, it means, to fuck. In Latin american diction, it means "to mess" - No me joder! El es un jodon (pain in the neck)!

[WarmGun]

Estas muy guapa. (no final "s").

While in most Spanish-speaking countries this would indeed mean "You are beautiful", in the DR it means "You are angry".

However, it is possible they are familiar with the usual meaning from movies and TV programs.

None of the girls corrected me. They all said thanks.

How do you say you're beautiful in DR?

[Bone Yard]

Hola hermanos,

Was in Sosua at the beginning of August, 1 week.

Thank you for sharing your experience Warmgun!

[TomJackin]

Hola hermanos,

Was in Sosua at the beginning of August, 1 week.

Great report!

Thanks for sharing.

[Oakie]

Hola hermanos,

Was in Sosua at the beginning of August, 1 week.

The weather was hellish, crazy heat wave; I could only stay outside early in the morning and at night. Apart from that, I had an amazing time there.

Well obviously August is the hottest time of the year, not that much hotter during the day, but in winter at least it cools down a little at night. It is also slower, chica wise, so you did ok.

Thanks for the report.

You were wise to pass on the street putas in favor of semi-pros. The great thing about Sosua is almost any chica who works in the hotel, bar or tourist business may be avaliable.

You'll never get a lawsuit against you for asking the pretty girl at the counter out for a drink, even if your are 70 and she is 20. LOL. She might even say yes!

Try that back home!