Sosua Reports

[Charles Pooter]

Do I detect a whiff of condescension, Dear Charles Pooter?

Not at all, my Commonwealth brother.

[Oakie]

I am sorry if this comes off as personal, because its not. But that might be the worst posting of advice that I have ever seen.

This is an unusual string of conversation, but I'll put my 2 cents in. So here is what I do. When going to BB, I would pay the taxi driver in a PRE-AGREED amt in US dollars. Something like $30-40. Unless you are willing to change your money at the airport, this may be the one transaction that you have to do in dollars. Just consider it the cost of doing business. Once I asked the driver to pull over at Yenny's on the way to BB while I changed money, but in hindsight this was probably a bad idea. He could have just driven off with my stuff. The best idea is to have some pesos leftover from a previous trip (you KNOW that you are coming back!).

Going to an area where there are impovershed people and standing in front of a machine outdoors while you withdraw cash is just asking to be robbed. At Yenny's the cash is exchanged in a room near the back of the store. Buy a soda, and you come outside with no one the wiser. And interestingly, that shop owner is the one guy I have seen who is smart enough to run his business for the long haul. He has a good reputation of giving good rates, and people come to him, who also patronize his store. He gets it.

That's ok Manny, no offense taken.

It was bound to bring out the choir. It always does.

That's why I post it from time to time! LOL.

But somehow I trust an airport mezzanine or a banking plaza, with a guard, over some back room at some guy's store who's name is Yanny, and who "gets" it.

I know some of you guys like to think you are 007 special agents, with "intel", and "sources on the street", on a real "hunt" to track down the elusive pussy.

But get a life. It's only buying a piece of chicken from a buffet counter!

(And you don't need to keep defending you pal, Sigmund. He's a big boy)

[Manny51]

As a Canadian myself I find that the best, easiest, safest, and cheapest routine for me is to use only ATM machines. They give you local currency anywhere in the world at the best Canadian bank rate (no interim currency exchange for USA Dollars etc). I get a seniors discount on ATM fees from RBC. But even without that, it still works out best.

Use the ATM at the airport for taxi, tipping, pocket money etc. , and the main ones in town during daylight hours only. You should have 2 cards, in case of a malfunctioning machine. Never, ever use a credit card down there, except to use the ATM.

Only take out your budget for each day, so you can't be seriously ripped off. You don't need a wallet, keep that in your room safe.

Carry your daily pesos and possibly an ATM card only. The other card is in the room safe, for emergencies. Add a photocopy of your passport if you intend to travel outside Sosua.

Now here's where I get everybody's shorts in a knot, again. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR AMATEURS!

For convenience I always give my wallet (slimmed down. See PipJ's post below) to my GF as soon as I arrive. She takes care of local stuff, taxis and transportation, and restaurant and bar bills, and propinas. She spends more wisely than I do, always gets a better deal on everything, and because what's left over in my budget at the end of the week, she gets to keep. I don't have to worry about paying a bill in a dark, crowded bar, and counting my change, because all the bills look alike to me. She always checks the bar bills for "errors". She likes the cred she gets for pulling out my wallet and cash (and passport if we are on the raod.

In that wallet is only daily pesos, anyway, an ATM card, and a copy of my passport. I go cash free and that's like an all inclusive luxury for me.

I got a lot of insults here for disclosing that. But my main adversary, Sigmund Freud, a self styled expert, who could write pages of posts on internatiuonal banking regulations never figured out that I am not responsible for fraudulent use of my ATM card, and the daily pesos are hers anyway. LOL.

And, after 7 years, not remotely an issue.

I am sorry if this comes off as personal, because its not. But that might be the worst posting of advice that I have ever seen.

This is an unusual string of conversation, but I'll put my 2 cents in. So here is what I do. When going to BB, I would pay the taxi driver in a PRE-AGREED amt in US dollars. Something like $30-40. Unless you are willing to change your money at the airport, this may be the one transaction that you have to do in dollars. Just consider the $4-5 overcharge the cost of doing business. Once I asked the driver to pull over at Yenny's on the way to BB while I changed money, but in hindsight this was probably a bad idea. He could have just driven off with my stuff. The best idea is to have some pesos leftover from a previous trip (you KNOW that you are coming back!).

Going to an area where there are impovershed people and standing in front of a machine outdoors while you withdraw cash is just asking to be robbed. At Yenny's the cash is exchanged in a room near the back of the store. Buy a soda, and you come outside with no one the wiser. And interestingly, that shop owner is the one guy I have seen who is smart enough to run his business for the long haul. He has a good reputation of giving good rates, and people come to him, who also patronize his store. I remember the first time I went there. After the transaction, he smiled and said to me 'I give good rates yeah? I have a nice store yeah? Tell your friends!" He gets it.

Once you have checked in, your are golden. Yenny's is a 10 minute walk from BB. You may want to walk there for meals anyway, as I found the food to be better deal at some of the restaurants around Yenny's. There is also a pharmacy.

[Yanqui69]

It was a interesting view of the situation. They talking of creating an official red light district. This is a huge leap for a Catholic country. Never the less cash is king. I was a bit surprised by Cabereti being lumped in with Sosua.

If "official" districts could also provide some safety / security for the chicas, and require regular medical checks, etc, that would be a plus.

On the other hand, considering this is the DR, I would also expect there will be corrupt officials profiting from this.

[Yanqui69]

Hot off the press! Expose' on Sosua's sexual tourism on Dominican TV.

Oakie's post from 2 days ago made a prominent cameo appearance at the 2:22 mark. Congrats you are famous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7aiJEoialE

If the corrupt hypocrites in power there wanted to effectively deal with the sex industry, they'd provide these people with an honest means of earning a decent living. Wage scales there are unbelievably low. Attracting companies that pay a decent wage and providing a decent education would be a start.

Secondly (and least likely) is to teach the men there to support the children they father, and then leave to the women to raise.

Once chatted with a guy in his 60's who boasted of having fathered 20 children.

No wonder the country is so impoverished.

[Yanqui69]

Hmm this is a really diverse group. From all cash to only exchanging little cash. Thing is I don't feel like going into a bank and doing all that passport BS. My estimated budget was around $90 for girls a day (2ST) food around $25 (each meal around $8) and drinks maybe $30 (not much for me maybe 1-2 and couple for the Chicas) so lets round that up to 150 a day x 10=1500 +hotel 600 (60 x10) that's $2100 US was going to bring like 2500 exchange 2000 at this place that's apparently outside black beards and put away 500 in safe in hotel because I might spend less then 150 a few days so exchange 2000 and 500 is there just for in case. Actually put 400 in safe because 100 will be exchanged at airport for taxi and whatever else, I'm just wondering is 2000 cash dangerous to have in pocket with a taxi driver? Are taxi drivers good guys? I'll be asking black beards to send me one so maybe that's different? Also I'll obviously have more then the 400 on my card for emergencies but just wondering how that sounds? Any feedback? This is so helpful honestly just all the knowledge I've learned from the vets!

Here's what I used to do. Never had problems. I always preferred to carry cash versus an ATM.

If you are going directly to BB from the airport, carrying cash is not a problem.

Take a cab, either from those at the airport, or provided by BB directly there.

If you like, ask the cab to stop in front of Jenny's Supermarket once you enter the gate at Costambar (its on the right, can't miss it) and change a little cash there first.

Once you get to BB, check in and pay your room bill in pesos (saves you some money over changing at the hotel).

Put your remaining cash in your room safe, taking out a little as needed, a 10 minute stroll to Jenny's to change money, buy bottles of water, maybe cross the street to the pharmacy for "chemical insurance" etc.

I never had a problem.

Oh hell, no. Don't change money at the airport!

If the cab is from BB, you can pay once you arrive at the hotel.

You won't have any expenses between the airport and the hotel.

The probability of someone robbing you in the cab are negligible, but if you keep your cash in an alternate place (money belt, cargo pocket) and keep a "throw away" wallet, with a few bucks in it, that also helps.

Particularly if you are having the hotel send a cab, you should have no worries about security. A cabbie won't rob you as that will end his livelihood, though he may try to squeeze a little more money out of you. A robbery while in the cab is not a serious concern.

[Frannie]

Hmm this is a really diverse group. From all cash to only exchanging little cash. Thing is I don't feel like going into a bank and doing all that passport BS. My estimated budget was around $90 for girls a day (2ST) food around $25 (each meal around $8) and drinks maybe $30 (not much for me maybe 1-2 and couple for the Chicas) so lets round that up to 150 a day x 10=1500 +hotel 600 (60 x10) that's $2100 US was going to bring like 2500 exchange 2000 at this place that's apparently outside black beards and put away 500 in safe in hotel because I might spend less then 150 a few days so exchange 2000 and 500 is there just for in case. Actually put 400 in safe because 100 will be exchanged at airport for taxi and whatever else, I'm just wondering is 2000 cash dangerous to have in pocket with a taxi driver? Are taxi drivers good guys? I'll be asking black beards to send me one so maybe that's different? Also I'll obviously have more then the 400 on my card for emergencies but just wondering how that sounds? Any feedback? This is so helpful honestly just all the knowledge I've learned from the vets!

Since you are taking a taxi from the airport to Blackbeards, you can also ask the taxi driver to stop by an ATM in Puerto Plata. There is a drive in ATM at Banco Popular that you pass on the way to Blackbeards, but you could also ask him to take you the more scenic route (this is what I would do) along the oceanfront (Malecon) and stop by the ATM at the La Sirena supermarket complex. And if you wwant to get a cold drink or an ice cream, or buy any prescription drugs at the pharmacy inside the supermarket, you can do that too while you are there. By this means you get a little tour of Puerto Plata scenery, get your errands done, withdraw money, so you get more for your money's worth, it won't cost you any more, and you will be the envy of your fellow guests at Blackbeards who will be overawed by your local savvy.

[Oakie]

Hot off the press! Expose' on Sosua's sexual tourism on Dominican TV.

Oakie's post from 2 days ago made a prominent cameo appearance at the 2:22 mark. Congrats you are famous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7aiJEoialE

You have a good eye!

I guess that's my 3 seconds of fame

[OldKool]

It was a interesting view of the situation. They talking of creating an official red light district. This is a huge leap for a Catholic country. Never the less cash is king. I was a bit surprised by Cabereti being lumped in with Sosua.

Hot off the press! Expose' on Sosua's sexual tourism on Dominican TV.

Oakie's post from 2 days ago made a prominent cameo appearance at the 2:22 mark. Congrats you are famous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7aiJEoialE

[Oakie]

I guess chasing different girls every few hours begins to wear you down eventually haha. BTW I had a questions that's really bothering me I don't know what I should do with the money situation. Should I board the flight leaving Canada with 2500 us in my wallet then exchange it outside of Blackbeards? That's why my plan but seems really risky if something happens in the airport or taxi ride all my money is gone. Is there a place outside of black beards where I can just insert my card and pull out a bunch of pesos? I'm not sure best way to go about this because I know airports are major rip offs!

As a Canadian myself I find that the best, easiest, safest, and cheapest routine for me is to use only ATM machines. They give you local currency anywhere in the world at the best Canadian bank rate (no interim currency exchange for USA Dollars etc). I get a seniors discount on ATM fees from RBC. But even without that, it still works out best.

Use the ATM at the airport for taxi, tipping, pocket money etc. , and the main ones in town during daylight hours only. You should have 2 cards, in case of a malfunctioning machine. Never, ever use a credit card down there, except to use the ATM.

Only take out your budget for each day, so you can't be seriously ripped off. You don't need a wallet, keep that in your room safe.

Carry your daily pesos and possibly an ATM card only. The other card is in the room safe, for emergencies. Add a photocopy of your passport if you intend to travel outside Sosua.

Now here's where I get everybody's shorts in a knot, again. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR AMATEURS!

For convenience I always give my wallet (slimmed down. See PipJ's post below) to my GF as soon as I arrive. She takes care of local stuff, taxis and transportation, and restaurant and bar bills, and propinas. She spends more wisely than I do, always gets a better deal on everything, and because what's left over in my budget at the end of the week, she gets to keep. I don't have to worry about paying a bill in a dark, crowded bar, and counting my change, because all the bills look alike to me. She always checks the bar bills for "errors". She likes the cred she gets for pulling out my wallet and cash (and passport if we are on the raod.

In that wallet is only daily pesos, anyway, an ATM card, and a copy of my passport. I go cash free and that's like an all inclusive luxury for me.

I got a lot of insults here for disclosing that. But my main adversary, Sigmund Freud, a self styled expert, who could write pages of posts on internatiuonal banking regulations never figured out that I am not responsible for fraudulent use of my ATM card, and the daily pesos are hers anyway. LOL.

And, after 7 years, not remotely an issue.

[Tempoecorto]

No. Were you confusing it with "tautology"?

(Waiting for Tempoecorto to home in on this one. He is our standard-bearer for India's reputation for excellence in English).

Do I detect a whiff of condescension, Dear Charles Pooter? LOL.

Speaking of tautology, an Indian classic is "returning back". As far as I am concerned, I always confused the Luddites with Canaanites. Speaking of my own ignorance.

[NewbieMonger23]

Hmm this is a really diverse group. From all cash to only exchanging little cash. Thing is I don't feel like going into a bank and doing all that passport BS. My estimated budget was around $90 for girls a day (2ST) food around $25 (each meal around $8) and drinks maybe $30 (not much for me maybe 1-2 and couple for the Chicas) so lets round that up to 150 a day x 10=1500 +hotel 600 (60 x10) that's $2100 US was going to bring like 2500 exchange 2000 at this place that's apparently outside black beards and put away 500 in safe in hotel because I might spend less then 150 a few days so exchange 2000 and 500 is there just for in case. Actually put 400 in safe because 100 will be exchanged at airport for taxi and whatever else, I'm just wondering is 2000 cash dangerous to have in pocket with a taxi driver? Are taxi drivers good guys? I'll be asking black beards to send me one so maybe that's different? Also I'll obviously have more then the 400 on my card for emergencies but just wondering how that sounds? Any feedback? This is so helpful honestly just all the knowledge I've learned from the vets!

[Frannie]

Hot off the press! Expose' on Sosua's sexual tourism on Dominican TV.

Oakie's post from 2 days ago made a prominent cameo appearance at the 2:22 mark. Congrats you are famous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7aiJEoialE

So the prices vary from 1500 pesos for a quick to 4000 pesos for a sleep over and girls can make up to 5000 pesos per day, so that is official! And the girls get to keep very little of what they earn by the time they have paid expenses and sent money to mama. And prostitution is legal there as long as there is no "pandering" (proxenetismo). So now you have it.

[Parkinsons]

Hot off the press! Expose' on Sosua's sexual tourism on Dominican TV.

Oakie's post from 2 days ago made a prominent cameo appearance at the 2:22 mark. Congrats you are famous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7aiJEoialE

[Durandpaul]

I think so. I have used it many, many times. There is an armed guard there, but of course a guard could collaborate with a scammer. I mostly use the one inside Supermercado Playero.

I thought it was safe though. But I know one time I went there and there was something stuck in one of the ATMs, preventing people to use that machine. I think someone must have installed something on the other machine in order to collect information stored on cards. Then there was a little boy following me at the ATM. I suspect he saw my PIN and he is working with other people.