Sosua Reports

[Horny B]

Not sure of the circumstances in using your credit card but somebody posted not long ago strongly discouraging the use of travelers checks due to their extreme inconvenience and compounded games with the exchange rates.

I suggest you look into other banking options. Sounds like the Bank of NS is taking you to the cleaners completely independent of the foul play you just experienced in having your card stolen.

Just to clarify, it's not the Scotia Bank who charged me those fees, it's a local Bank who was accepting to do cash advance on Visa. I later found out that the Scotia Bank had branches there, which I intend to use in my future trips.

[Traveler04]

Always call your bank or credit card company and tell them when and where you are going. Debit Card has been great for me. Good exchange rate no problem. Check to see what your daily (24 hr.) limits are. Travelers checks are great. I use them at BB's and cash them at a Bank for the best exchange rate. I have also started to pay the girls in US dollars.

Credit Cards acceptance as with Travelers checks at hotels varies so check in advance. BB's adds a 20% charge when you use your credit card....ouch! I have stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Santiago and never paid such a fee before. The Marriott was great as there was an ATM in the lobby.

To cash Travelers checks you will need your passport and another ID most of the time.

[Ehunter]

Also be aware of the cost of using a Credit Card in DR. To make a long story short, have last week lived trough the ordeal of having my PIN and Debit card stolen, had unfortunately not taken the time to have my daily limit of the total amount that can be withdrawn on daily basis lowered. Back home on Friday, went to my Bank, the damage is near 1K.

As my credit card was aside in the hotel lock box, used it to do 1st withdrawal of $600. 00 the fee's $140. 36, then few day's later 2nd amount of $500. 00 fee's $114. 24 So the best solution seems to be Travelers check, there is in Puerto Plata and Sosua branches of the Bank of Nova Scotia (Canadian Bank) pretty sure that with the proper documentation (Passport and Driver's licences) you should be able to change your Traveler's check. From my experience that seems to be be the best and most secure way to protect yourself. Anyway that's how I intend to proceed in the future.

Not sure of the circumstances in using your credit card but somebody posted not long ago strongly discouraging the use of travelers checks due to their extreme inconvenience and compounded games with the exchange rates.

I use a debit card at the local banks. I receive an excellent exchange rate comparable to everyone else who claims to get great rates, and Schwab also refunds me the $1.25 service fee on top of that anywhere in the world.

I suggest you look into other banking options. Sounds like the Bank of NS is taking you to the cleaners completely independent of the foul play you just experienced in having your card stolen.

[Horny B]

Thanks to all members for their invaluable reports.

I was hoping someone might be kind enough to let me know if credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants in and around Sosua or Caberete. I would like to charge my room and food. Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in sosua near the action that will accept credit cards. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

Also be aware of the cost of using a Credit Card in DR. To make a long story short, have last week lived trough the ordeal of having my PIN and Debit card stolen, had unfortunately not taken the time to have my daily limit of the total amount that can be withdrawn on daily basis lowered. Back home on Friday, went to my Bank, the damage is near 1K.

As my credit card was aside in the hotel lock box, used it to do 1st withdrawal of $600. 00 the fee's $140. 36, then few day's later 2nd amount of $500. 00 fee's $114. 24 So the best solution seems to be Travelers check, there is in Puerto Plata and Sosua branches of the Bank of Nova Scotia (Canadian Bank) pretty sure that with the proper documentation (Passport and Driver's licences) you should be able to change your Traveler's check. From my experience that seems to be be the best and most secure way to protect yourself. Anyway that's how I intend to proceed in the future.

[Artisttyp]

Thanks to all members for their invaluable reports.

I was hoping someone might be kind enough to let me know if credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants in and around Sosua or Caberete. I would like to charge my room and food. Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in sosua near the action that will accept credit cards. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

DR is one of those places you do not want to have your credit card number floating around.

I'd say at a decent hotel you are fine but I wouldn't use it anyplace else. You also have to be careful while using your ATM card. I knew someone who went through a painful ordeal( stolen debit card numbers) using an atm in sosua.

On the bright side I have cashed travelers checks in caberete but I don't know if they limit the amount. I cashed $200 at a time without any problems.

Also be aware that tour companies and hotels usually accept travelers checks as a form of payment. Call ahead to confirm it.

** Call your bank and credit card company to notify them you are leaving the country. You can even give them a phone number of where to reach you in case anyone makes a dubious charge.

[Kommodore]

Just like english, words used may have a different meaning pending on what country you are in.

A fag I believe in England is having a cigarette. And getting "pissed"means in England getting drunk. We all know that in the states these words mean quite different things.

Iamlookin's comparrison of the use of English words in different English speaking countries is an excellent mechanism to explain the use of the Spanish word "ahorrita".

I can confirm that in the UK & Ireland, the word "fag" as in "I am going outside to have a fag" means cigarette. Although the North American use of the word is known but not commonly in use. Also the word "pissed" as in " I am going to the pub to get pissed" always means drunk. Also for information purposes, the word "crack" as used in Hiberno English (or English as spoken in Ireland) as in "he is good crack" means "he is good fun" and definitely does not have the North American meaning.

Cheers

AronJoseph (Dublin, Ireland)

[El Baracho]

Thanks to all members for their invaluable reports.

I was hoping someone might be kind enough to let me know if credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants in and around Sosua or Caberete. I would like to charge my room and food. Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in sosua near the action that will accept credit cards. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

[El Baracho]

Thanks to all for the invaluable information found here!

Just wanted to inquire whether credit cards are widely accepted. I would prefer to use cc for hotel stays and restaurants. I haven't noticed any info on this other than ATM's. For instance, I see that Blackbead's requires a cc to reserve a room, but can you charge your food and hotel to a credit card. Any other girl friendly hotels that will accept credit cards in Sosua or elsewhere.

Once again, thanks to all.

El baracho

[IamLookin]

"en seguida" might work. It means immediately

The meaning of this word depends on what latin country you are in.
In Colombia it means right now. I am of Cuban decent and I can tell you it means to us 'later'. I believe for Dominicans it also means later.
I know for Ecuadorians it means 'right now' as well.

Just like english, words used may have a different meaning pending on what country you are in.
A fag I believe in England is having a cigarette. and getting "pissed"means in England getting drunk. We all know that in the states these words mean quite different things

[Rubicon13]

Any chica-friendly ST rooms available in Sosua apart from Calipso, which was full the last two times I called round to check it out?

[Artisttyp]

Just a word of caution from my experience, as logic says I also thought "Ahorita" means "now" or in a short while. But I have confirmed this with many dominicans and expats who live in Sosua. "Ahorita" simply means "later".

It is exactly on par with "mas tarde" and "luego", not even a second before ! just "later". I always thought because it's root is "Ahora" it should mean now or pretty soon but in Sosua it sure doesn't (trust me I have researched this as it was bothering me for some time).

May be it does in other countries but don't waste your time waiting for a girl or anyone in Sosua when they say "Ahorita", they won't be coming back any time soon !

"en seguida" might work. It means immediately

[Uzinuzin]

Just a word of caution from my experience, as logic says I also thought "Ahorita" means "now" or in a short while. But I have confirmed this with many dominicans and expats who live in Sosua. "Ahorita" simply means "later".

It is exactly on par with "mas tarde" and "luego", not even a second before ! just "later". I always thought because it's root is "Ahora" it should mean now or pretty soon but in Sosua it sure doesn't (trust me I have researched this as it was bothering me for some time).

May be it does in other countries but don't waste your time waiting for a girl or anyone in Sosua when they say "Ahorita", they won't be coming back any time soon !

[ScubaBum]

The first 2 were completa, the next was the only covered bj in Sosua, the last is the chica who walked by my shower window.

[ScubaBum]

Dear Scuba Bum,

I have enjoyed your reports. Perhaps, when you are safely back from your upcoming trip, would you be in a position to resend some of the photos, unblocked? (Especially of the much vaunted one skilled in the arts of love) - I am sure there are other members that would feel the same and appreciate it as much as I would.

Keep your reports coming!

I will post more before the next trip 3/5. I plan on going to Sosua many more times until I find a mongering destination I like better. Therefore, only faces of chicas that have no issues with the net. Sorry. I love to post pics as it makes me feel like such a COCKSMAN....... but in reality, I'm just your average 60 year old viagra dependent Joe.

[Silom]

One should look at what Artisttyp is not saying. I'm not slamming you. I know exactly what you mean.

If I were you i would try being more selective in whom you make eye contact with. Learn to scan the room and decide who is worthy of a drink without having several redundent 'where you from?' ''who you come with?' 'what your name?' 'buy me drink?' scenarios that you didn't initiate.

This will accomplish two things.

1.] It will limit the amount of people who approach you and ask you for a drink.

2.] It will immediately identify people who are only thinking about their bottom line and not about having fun AND their bottom line.

Surely you will buy a drink as you speak with the right lady for there is no remedy for a true 'Cheap Charlie'

Now as to the hidden problem that my technique will surely address is 'Cheap Charlie Syndrome' where you are constantly getting inundated with requests for this and that you put your guard up and start protecting that cheese. It starts to eat at you and you hope that you are not making a name for yourself as someone who won't buy drinks.

Don't fall prey to the syndrome. It's vacation right?

Instead of parking it at the bar try moving around and scanning randomly. Don't circle. Don't pace back and forth. Scan what people look like and only make eye contact with ones who really catch your eye. Learn how to see everything but her eyes and don't be a pig about it.