Sosua Reports

[George03]

Go to google papo. Google "Dominican peso" and the exchange rate should pop up. It's around 55 DOP to $1. I've never been but I've read a bunch on the forum. Let's say it's 3000-5000 DOP for a chica. You can also google average price for a meal. And then it'the be smart to add a little safety factor to the number for daily. Hotel prly has free breakfast and I'the imagine you'the be safe to say 2000 DOP a day for food. LOL take all this w a grain of salt. I'm planning to take my first trip this year. Only hurdle is I'm going solo and flight lands like 2 am. Not keen on arriving somewhere foreign to me at 2 am solo.

My last two trips, I used tropiclink. I did first couple of days at Blackbeards, then Sosua and elsewhere, then BB's for the last night. I don't remember the exact price, but about $70 US RT. I arrived in Santiago early in the morning and flew out as well very late. It is a shared van with AC, WiFi, etc. But I was the only one on it each time. They have a website and a US phone that you can call for info. Others have posted about this in the Blackbeards forum.

[GrownMan1]

I believe your flight lands at STI. Santiago. No flights land in POP Puerto plata in the middle of night.

In Santiago once the plane lands get a taxi to the nearest cheap motel. In the morning you can choose your transport options. I usually rent a car there.

That's a good move I did that several times before. I think the best thing to do is just take a cab directly to the Sue. Arrange your early check in with your hotel or Airbnb host. Download in driver or Uber. The price shouldn't be no more than $70. Just watch out for Uber drivers trying to change the price on you.

[SubCmdr]

This is actionable intelligence and spot on. New people. Listen up. I would add even regulars should not be sleeping on Pirates' Bay. Best view in Sosua.

You were going hard in the paint Mr. T on your trip to campo. Much rather read actual accounts from men in the arena than the opinions of those who live a half a world away.

"What you know about rolling down in the deep?"

1. Casa Valeria is a VERY good place to be. Very central and everything within walking distance. The hotel is very good quality too, what with Dutch Management.

2. Think in terms of 50 pesos which is roughly equivalent to a dollar. A woman. You should pay about 3000 ($60) and you can multiply that by how many women you would need a day. Food: Casa Valeria has very good breakfast and at times included in the price -ask them ($6-10 = 500 pesos or less). Lunch and dinner depending on your food choice could be $5/6 (300 pesos. Local Dominican food), dinner at a good Italian place (I strongly recommend Pirates' Bay, next to the casino) run by Italians, could be $20-30 (1000-1500 pesos) wine etc included. If you invite a woman to dinner, you have to add that up. Treat these prices at the higher end except women (they have been stated to ask for $100/5000 pesos). Your other expenses might be drinking if you are into it and some do drink and may be they can chime in on that. I typically have one woman and one fancy lunch / dinner and typically would spend not more than $100 a day, excluding of course the hotel expense.

3. Exchange money at the local western union and try to pay in pesos only but do dring some small dollar bills. They are widely accepted. The present exchange rate is 54 pesos to a dollar.

4. You may enjoy walking and the town has a very small footprint, easy for walking especially after the sun goes down or early morning. The motorcycle taxis in town should not be more than a dollar for easy drop offs.

5. I do not tip but a 50/100 peso note after a good meal would be fine and appreciated, if you are so inclined.

Language, if you do not speak it could be a handicap but google translate is helpful. Have fun!

[Sammon]

I'm planning to take my first trip this year. Only hurdle is I'm going solo and flight lands like 2 am. Not keen on arriving somewhere foreign to me at 2 am solo.

I believe your flight lands at STI. Santiago. No flights land in POP Puerto plata in the middle of night.

In Santiago once the plane lands get a taxi to the nearest cheap motel. In the morning you can choose your transport options. I usually rent a car there.

[Oakie]

Go to google papo. Google "Dominican peso" and the exchange rate should pop up. It's around 55 DOP to $1. I've never been but I've read a bunch on the forum. Let's say it's 3000-5000 DOP for a chica. You can also google average price for a meal. And then it'the be smart to add a little safety factor to the number for daily. Hotel prly has free breakfast and I'the imagine you'the be safe to say 2000 DOP a day for food. LOL take all this w a grain of salt. I'm planning to take my first trip this year. Only hurdle is I'm going solo and flight lands like 2 am. Not keen on arriving somewhere foreign to me at 2 am solo.

In my traveling days, hit 25 countries, and over 30 of the States.

Traveling at night sucks, especially to a new place.

For a new place, I'd always get a hotel reservation for the first night close to the airport. Or when driving a cheaper hotel on the edge of town.

Sleep off the jet lag, stress of a long journey, shower, a good breakfast, get organized, local currency, then I'm ready to figure out where I would like to stay, or get to my next destination.

No problem for most of us to sniff out the action areas, "El Centro" to a taxi driver works in most places. I never ask him, I tell him where to drop me off when I see what I like.

A regular flyer to a place, will have his connecting plans already made, so he can go straight there, as soon as he hits the ground.

Take some small denom. US dollars, and use the ATMs for local currency. Always have at least 2 banks cards (I have 4, and at times I've had to use them all.) Never use a charge card, and always pay in local currency.

Read the Forum for the basics, but first full day on the ground will get you most of the info you need for a budget.

As a beer drinker, I find my action is mostly tied to the bar scene, street or beach.

As for non drinkers, they operate differently. I'm not familiar with that scene.

[SlangTeng]

Lots of info and some great reports. I'm making my 1st trip to the DR end of September. I'm staying at Casa Valerio's for a week.

Is there any new or current info on how the money add up to. What's the exchange rate? I know what it is dollar to Dominican peso. I've seen a couple videos explaining money from different countries. Like Columbia had my head spinning dealing with million-dollar pesos.

A little help making sure I understand prices across the board.

If some is 100 peso and I give a 100 pese note is that correct.

I know we all spend differently, but what's an average day cost? Food drinks ladies tips for goods of service?

I tried going through some of the Forum pages but some of the info doesn't really answer my questions.

I'm doing the solo trip as all my friends are married with Children and I still live my life like I'm 25.

I fly in on the 25th there for a week.

Any help would be greatly appreciative.

Go to google papo. Google "Dominican peso" and the exchange rate should pop up. It's around 55 DOP to $1. I've never been but I've read a bunch on the forum. Let's say it's 3000-5000 DOP for a chica. You can also google average price for a meal. And then it'the be smart to add a little safety factor to the number for daily. Hotel prly has free breakfast and I'the imagine you'the be safe to say 2000 DOP a day for food. LOL take all this w a grain of salt. I'm planning to take my first trip this year. Only hurdle is I'm going solo and flight lands like 2 am. Not keen on arriving somewhere foreign to me at 2 am solo.

[Tempoecorto]

Would flying into STI, arriving at 2 am on your first trip to sosua be a bad idea? I'the have to hail a ride to Sosua and get there in the wee hours of the morning solo. From what I understand, sosua is safe for tourists. But almost anywhere can be dangerous at 3:30 in the morning. The other options are 3 x ticket price or driving to a different city to fly out of (still would land at night but would be 10 pm instead of 2 am). Trust the taxi drivers at 2 am to not overcharge? They'll have a lot of leverage because where the hell else am I gna get a ride.

There are many people who take that flight or others arriving even later. Most are Dominicans going back to visit but there are tourists as well and it is perfectly fine. Many here will have done that.

You have two options:

1) Hang around at the airport until sunrise and then look for the drivers. I used to do that when I was new and had no idea of the lay of the land. This option also allows you to take a bus from Santiago to Sosua, comfortably and for $4-5 but will also mean that you get to the local bus terminal.

2) A taxi at night, would cost you about $100 and there are those that hang around outside the terminal at that hour. I have never used them and now I have local drivers who drive me. I pay $100 simply because driving at night is not much fun and because I insist that they do the longer "autopista" route rather than the scenic route, not recommended at night.

Other than the usual road issues, the place is safe. I could check with the gentleman who drive me, who also speak some English, if you would wish me to.

[Tempoecorto]

Lots of info and some great reports. I'm making my 1st trip to the DR end of September. I'm staying at Casa Valerio's for a week.

1. Casa Valeria is a VERY good place to be. Very central and everything within walking distance. The hotel is very good quality too, what with Dutch Management.

2. Think in terms of 50 pesos which is roughly equivalent to a dollar. A woman. You should pay about 3000 ($60) and you can multiply that by how many women you would need a day. Food: Casa Valeria has very good breakfast and at times included in the price -ask them ($6-10 = 500 pesos or less). Lunch and dinner depending on your food choice could be $5/6 (300 pesos. Local Dominican food), dinner at a good Italian place (I strongly recommend Pirates' Bay, next to the casino) run by Italians, could be $20-30 (1000-1500 pesos) wine etc included. If you invite a woman to dinner, you have to add that up. Treat these prices at the higher end except women (they have been stated to ask for $100/5000 pesos). Your other expenses might be drinking if you are into it and some do drink and may be they can chime in on that. I typically have one woman and one fancy lunch / dinner and typically would spend not more than $100 a day, excluding of course the hotel expense.

3. Exchange money at the local western union and try to pay in pesos only but do dring some small dollar bills. They are widely accepted. The present exchange rate is 54 pesos to a dollar.

4. You may enjoy walking and the town has a very small footprint, easy for walking especially after the sun goes down or early morning. The motorcycle taxis in town should not be more than a dollar for easy drop offs.

5. I do not tip but a 50/100 peso note after a good meal would be fine and appreciated, if you are so inclined.

Language, if you do not speak it could be a handicap but google translate is helpful. Have fun!

[LightWorkB]

Lots of info and some great reports. I'm making my 1st trip to the DR end of September. I'm staying at Casa Valerio's for a week.

Is there any new or current info on how the money add up to. What's the exchange rate? I know what it is dollar to Dominican peso. I've seen a couple videos explaining money from different countries. Like Columbia had my head spinning dealing with million-dollar pesos.

A little help making sure I understand prices across the board.

If some is 100 peso and I give a 100 pese note is that correct.

I know we all spend differently, but what's an average day cost? Food drinks ladies tips for goods of service?

I tried going through some of the Forum pages but some of the info doesn't really answer my questions.

I'm doing the solo trip as all my friends are married with Children and I still live my life like I'm 25.

I fly in on the 25th there for a week.

Any help would be greatly appreciative.

[Tempoecorto]

Where were you flying to and was the 850 for a a round trip ticket?I'm looking to fly in September with United which IMHO is the worst airline out there.

My origin is BOS and yes, it is a round trip ticket. The good thing about Jetblue is that there are direct and nonstop flights to the DR but I am sick of the airlines' nickel and diming the passengers.

September is good month, schools are back in session and there are fewer tourists but yes, if I could, I would avoid, United, Delta and American, like the plague. Not that we always have that option.

[SlangTeng]

Would flying into STI, arrriving at 2 am on your first trip to sosua be a bad idea? I'the have to hail a ride to Sosua and get there in the wee hours of the morning solo. From what I understand, sosua is safe for tourists. But almost anywhere can be dangerous at 3:30 in the morning. The other options are 3 x ticket price or driving to a different city to fly out of (still would land at night but would be 10 pm instead of 2 am). Trust the taxi drivers at 2 am to not overcharge? They'll have a lot of leverage because where the hell else am I gna get a ride.

[Adinga]

Tempoecorto. Where were you flying to and was the 850 for a a round trip ticket?

These airlines are really taking advantage. I'm looking to fly in September with United which IMHO is the worst airline out there.

[Tempoecorto]

I had forgotten writing about this: I paid Jetblue some $850 for my air ticket. Those sobs still do not want me to bring in cabin luggage asking me to pay another $50+ for that privilege while I hate waiting for luggage plus I travel light. In any case, I have a card that allows me to check in my cabin bag at no charge which is what I was planning to do. So when I got to the airport, there were hardly anyone around as the flight was 3 hours late. While checking in, I gave the guy a pack of chocolates I carry. They were chocolate truffles and I asked the guy to share it with his counter mates. They were very pleased to do that. When it came time to check in my bag, I asked the guy if he would allow me to carry it on board. Guess what? After some checking, he said he would and even got the guy who would be at the gate, to speak with me, who would allow me to board before others.

So all this was nice and dandy but then I went with my bag to the security and the guys flagged me as I was carrying a bottle of chinola concentrate plus a bottle of water in those hot fng days. I started telling them the uniqueness of chinola and that in my home town I can't find it and that these are delicious. So a guy told me that he has relatives in NY where you can find all sorts of stuff like that and I said, but I am from Boston. After a great conversation with 4 security guys, I went in with chinola concentrate in my cabin luggage. Long live POP!

[Tempoecorto]

Great report. Shows folks what they have to look forward to if they go home or to visit relatives with some chicks. Personally I think I have had enough of that driving cars across creek beds shit and will keep my ass in the city in an air conditioned place. I am not in the Boy Scouts or military anymore.

I completely agree with you, speaking of dry creek beds full of pebbles not to speak of A / C place in town. However, it is my age that is the issue. For young people, it might be a nice adventure.

[Tempoecorto]

Hotter than hell, and I had to sit down I thought I was having a heart attack. The old ladies took the stuff I was carrying and carried on, embarrassing in macho land.

Jajaja! I had the same exact feeling. Having a back pack full of chicken and water- what with the heat and humidity. Fortunately, the relatives had come down to milk the cows and so they took care of the backpack on their horses. The interesting anecdote here is the that girl who I went with is 8 months pregnant and walked uphill (and downhill. Which was a lot more treacherous for me) with nonchalance and so yes, I had the same embarrassing feeling. I stopped skiing I know exactly why. The knees are not what they are and am I glad that I am back home, where even in the middle of July heat, I go to bed with a sheet / a blanket. Long live MA!