Sosua Reports

[Charles Pooter]

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" after 11. 30pm. Pretty harmless before then. That area attracts all the scum of the island, and a lot of scum from abroad.

2) Choose haitianas rather than dominicanas all other factors being equal.

3) If you have to drink, do it by daylight. By "drink", I mean in amounts which might affect your judgment. A couple of Cuba libres just to be sociable never hurt anyone.

4) Have as little contact with Dominicans as possible. I mean those who try to attach themselves to you or offer "help".

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.

Fair comment, Bimmy. I am sure 99% of guys have a good time in Sosua without following all my advice, and 90% have a good time without following any of it.

But remember the context in which I posted it. I was replying to someone who was so nervous after reading all the horror stories online that he might not visit the DR at all. Which would be a shame and quite unnecessary. I went way over the top to try and ensure a 99. 9% safe environment for him.

A quicker way would have been to say "go to Blackbeards or Field of Dreams" but from the tone of your post I would imagine you would be the first to agree that he would be missing out on a lot by doing that,

However you have shamed me into modifying my rather smartass and over-casual comments as above in bold.

[Wrx2005]

I am not so sure that the average business person in the DR has an expensive phone. When I have seen them with smart phones, they are usually the cheaper models, and anyway if you have the really expensive ones insurance is available including for robbery.

Of course you arent sure. But one doesn't have to be sure, just aware that enough individuals in the DR own and carry expensive phones. So there is no reason to be all paranoid over bringing ones phone or other gadgets with them on vacation as if nobody else in the DR has the same stuff.

Anyway if you are willing to lay down your life for your cell phone, then good luck with that, and you won't be the first.

Thats just an asinine statement not worth addressing.

People are asking how to avoid these kind of catastrophes in the DR. Yes, one method of risk management is to lock up your valuable stuff carefully, but another is simply don't bring it down in the first place, thus sidestepping the whole issue.

I think it's quite apparent people can chose either option. However for those individuals who arent easily swayed by vets with an agenda, they don't have to fear carrying and using their equipment while on vacation. Especially when enough chicas are walking around owning and carrying phones they don't want to lose either. The key issue here is, if you choose to bring your equipment on vacation, do so but don't do obvious stupid shit.

Any item left out in the open will garner the wrong type of attention. It doesn't have to be an expensive item. The key is to secure anything you value. If you don't need your phone or any other item while out of your spot / hotel, then leave it in your spot and / or lock it up.

Yes, you can bring your $700 phone if it is essential for whatever you need, or if the amount of money sunk in the phone is not significant to you, but just be aware that it is likely to attract interest of the wrong kind.

The mere fact a person on vacation is there spending money, living in a hotel, can attract the interest of the wrong kind. You don't need an expensive item for that to happen. Whatever it is you are trying to deflect from, the bottom line is, it is not asinine to spend money on an expensive phone, nor is it to carry and use one while on vacation in the DR. If one chooses to leave their phone home, so be it. No shame in that. I still have a iphone 3gs that I used when I 1st came to Sosua. That was the expensive phone at that time. And yet I still have it. Same with my 1st gen ipad. Now with all that wrong kind of interest all around me, I should have had the shit stolen by now. But I don't live by individuals that say the sky is falling because they want to be an authority for the masses. I simply use basic common sense when it comes to anything, especially stuff in my possession. Most people losing stuff to theft is through not being aware of the company they keep or not securing their stuff. Issues I have not have had problems with since 2008 when I 1st started going to the DR.

[Phuquer]

Manizales911, you're probably right. But I did mention that I did have a US passport and he said it didn't matter. He was the one that told me that I should have said I was born there.

[Manizales911]

Phuquer, excellent informative report with one exception. Advising people to lie to the first "official" you meet in the DR just to save 10 bucks is just plain wrong. Besides, regardless of what the guy told you, in order to enter without paying for a tourist card you must be a citizen which means you must enter on a Dominican passport.

-

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.

[Riky Rapido]

Was she hot? LOL

To find an ally at the airport, that's like about 2 bucks, cheap, and you'll get a killer smile, don't forget to leave the name of the hotel where you are at, maybe a sister or cousin will show up, then another bit of advice: on the street make eye contact, bingo, a telephone # and name, my address book is unending, so many, so little time. And pesos

[Riky Rapido]

If you are a 50 plus guy who wants to have sex with attractive young girls look no further. For thirty dollars they will rock your world. If you really try you can not have a good time I think. There is a constant flow of new women.

I'm nearly 70 and the chicas here can't get enough of me!

[OldKool]

If you are a 50 plus guy who wants to have sex with attractive young girls look no further. For thirty dollars they will rock your world. If you really try you can not have a good time I think. There is a constant flow of new women.

Count me in as another who has made multiple trips without any serious hassle.

Sosua is like a mirror, smile and it smiles back at you. If you have a negative attitude it will inevitably throw more shit back at you.

That's the thing about Sosua, we all go down there with different attitudes and expectations.

I read this the other day, and I think it applies.

"Mommy, why do all the idiots come out when Daddy's driving?"

[Oakie]

[QUOTEI 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

Count me in as another who has made multiple trips without any serious hassle.

Sosua is like a mirror, smile and it smiles back at you. If you have a negative attitude it will inevitably throw more shit back at you.

That's the thing about Sosua, we all go down there with different attitudes and expectations.

I read this the other day, and I think it applies.

"Mommy, why do all the idiots come out when Daddy's driving?"

[Oakie]

Thanks Phuker!

[Oakie]

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.

Was she hot? LOL

[Tempoecorto]

Excellent, balanced, thoughtful and level headed assessment from a "newbie". Should help calm nerves of those waiting on the wings, that are scared by the "shenanigans" in the DR.

Only one comment: I only did Pto Pta airport once but at the other airports, they check your passport along with the $10 card. This is before the immigration queue so I cannot see how one can claim " naci en la capital" and get away.

[Tempoecorto]

Really? I don't know if you're lucky or just very fortunate.

It really is no state secret. One can follow what Charles Pooter or Frannie wrote only recently and avoid most of the pitfalls and I am not speaking of DR alone (although the Haitian women part would be relevant in the DR from Pooter's perspective, I guess).

[Jimmy Boy 99]

Phuquer,

Great, informative post! Thanks!

[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.