Santo Domingo

[SubCmdr]

Mr. Prtyr2,

Ignoring your failed attempt at depreciating humor for now.

I'll be here for another week or so. If anyone has any advice I would gladly appreciate it. Thanks.

I was not addressing you at all Mr. Prtyr2 (Fact). I was letting Mr. AussieStiffler know that you are the self reported expert on Piano Bars in Santo Domingo having made reference to that in a previous post (Fact). Some would call that giving another person props. You took offense to it. That's your problem my man not mine. My Boca Chica comment was a response to Mr. Request for additional suggestions for locations and activities during his trip (Fact).

Have no clue what the boca comment is about. Never mongered there. Love it in daytime, not so much at night.

Now, I'm not sure why you didn't understand that. In my opinion, it is because of your continued focus on form over substance. Your continued desire to make a point instead of adding anything substantive to the conversation. Or that your belief that living here "on and off for 20 years" makes you the expert on anything and everything Dominican.

Far from having anything going on like your girly man shit. I hope you can finally begin to understand that I prefer to stay focused on the facts. I prefer to add information when posting instead of just saying "I got nothing for ya" to add to my post count. And when I am stating my opinion I do it very clearly. Now my desire for you to understand presumes you don't have a reading comprehension problem in general (or is it just with my posts).

[Mr Enternational]

Read a report about Casa Teresa and decided to give it a try. The hotel taxis asked USD 15 for the 6 km ride, so I decided to take a normal taxi, DOP 200, but the taxi driver clearly got his cut from the house, which I was charged in the drink prices. Two beers and a Cuba libre were DOP 1000.

That sounds like the correct price. Those fuck houses in Gascue that charged over 4000 for a girl would always have Cuba Libres for an overpriced 400 pesos (vs 200 at GBP) and beer for around the same.

I told him to stop begging all the time.

LOL. A man after my own heart.

[Nordico]

Staying in hotel Catalonia on Malecon. Read a report about Casa Teresa and decided to give it a try. The hotel taxis asked USD 15 for the 6 km ride, so I decided to take a normal taxi, DOP 200, but the taxi driver clearly got his cut from the house, which I was charged in the drink prices. Two beers and a Cuba libre were DOP 1000. Usually I would jump off few houses before, but I thought maybe it's going to be just couple of hundred, but I think they gave him 500. The taxi ride was quite cheap anyway.

There were some 10 girls, who live on the premises. I would rate the girls 7-8. I didn't see any stunners, but all the girls were doable. I paid DOP 4500 (yes I know, I'm going to hear about this) for an hour with a girl. According to my taxi driver it's same price for a 2 hours takeout. I forgot to check this info. The rooms are clean and quite OK, with a shower and clean towels and sheets. The service was good. BBBJ and stuff.

The most bothering thing about the place was a gentleman in a suit, who they call Rubio. Looked like he's in charge of the place. First he asked me to give a propinita to the lady, who hadn't done anything else for me, but received my money. When I went to the room with the girl, he was upstairs and asked a propinita for himself, for nothing again. I asked him, what is the reason, I should tip him. He didn't want to understand my question. I told him to stop begging all the time.

The place seemed to be safe and the girls are not aggressive, but the bill was quite hefty, so I don't think I'm going to repeat. If there had been some real stunners I would reconsider.

[Prtyr2]

Hit up Prtyr2. Tell him I recommended him. Asking about the Piano Bars in Santo Domingo. Be nice about it. And he just might help a brother out. Also, check out the hidden secret of Boca Chica. I've said this before. I don't usually monger but when I do I prefer Boca Chica. ROTFLMAO!

Always a pleasure to help a brother out!

You still got a boo boo? Have no clue what the boca comment is about. Never mongered there. Love it in daytime, not so much at night.

[OldKool]

I was treated very well by everyone in the vans. The taxi at the end saw few gringos so had no gringo game to play. I am black American so no blue eyes. I make about 4 trips a year so I budget myself when I can. At most it may take 30 minutes more time but adds a feel I like. If I were a blue eyed guy maybe I would feel different. We all have to do what works for us personally. Over all SD is not a dangerous city if you use common sense.

What about the fact (which others have pointed out) that one will likely be the only gringo on the van, and that you will be arriving with all your luggage and cash and credit cards?

I love taking public transportation in cities (and saving the money, too), but I did not do it during my one previous visit to SD last year. How would you rate the overall safety (and extra time) for a tall blue-eyed "obvious" gringo?

If my AirBnB rental is in Gazcue or Naco would it still make sense to take the van vs. an Uber? Or, would I get ripped off by the taxistas waiting for me at the end of the line, if I need to take one to another neighborhood?

[Robby Burns]

I stay in the colonal zone and the last stop s a short distance away and there are cabs waiting where you get out. I enjoy the ride and the feel of local flavor. The 1000 pesos I save puts me in a good mood.

What about the fact (which others have pointed out) that one will likely be the only gringo on the van, and that you will be arriving with all your luggage and cash and credit cards?

I love taking public transportation in cities (and saving the money, too), but I did not do it during my one previous visit to SD last year. How would you rate the overall safety (and extra time) for a tall blue-eyed "obvious" gringo?

If my AirBnB rental is in Gazcue or Naco would it still make sense to take the van vs. an Uber? Or, would I get ripped off by the taxistas waiting for me at the end of the line, if I need to take one to another neighborhood?

[OldKool]

I stay in the colonal zone and the last stop s a short distance away and there are cabs waiting where you get out. I enjoy the ride and the feel of local flavor. The 1000 pesos I save puts me in a good mood.

I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.

[Robby Burns]

Just take an uber. It will cost 1200 to 1500 pesos from the airport to Metro on Churchill or Caribe Tour on 27 Feb. Anyone who is sweating 1,000 pesos should skip a trip and save enough so it won't matter. It's basically safe to use the van but not as safe as a private car with a driver whose ID and photo you have in advance. I don't know why anyone would get in the van with luggage and possibly a lot of cash.

Is there an issue with an Uber driver picking you up at the airport. Taxi driver resentment? Where do you tell the Uber driver to pick you up? Should I get in the front seat, so the taxistas won't know it is an Uber driver?

One other transportation question: Are there any busses from the airport directly up to Santiago, or do I have to go all the way into downtown SD to get a bus? I see that there is a bus station in Santo Domingo Este, but it is probably too risky for a gringo to use that station--right?

[Knowledge]

Just take an uber. It will cost 1200 to 1500 pesos from the airport to Metro on Churchill or Caribe Tour on 27 Feb. Anyone who is sweating 1,000 pesos should skip a trip and save enough so it won't matter. It's basically safe to use the van but not as safe as a private car with a driver whose ID and photo you have in advance. I don't know why anyone would get in the van with luggage and possibly a lot of cash.

I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.

[Charles Pooter]

I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.

Good advice, Ozzie. Please email me as my phone is malfunctioning.

[Ozzie1451]

There is a publico in the drop off area of the airport upstairs. Locals who work at the airport use them to get back and forward. Go upstairs and exit to the left. There is currency exchange that give excellent rates upstairs. While downstairs you can buy or get minutes for any DR phone you have. The van is usually about 50 yards back. The cost is a 100 pesos to go to downtown SD. At the last stop are cabs that will take you to metro or Caribe for 300 pesos. The van has no signs so you got be observant. I feel like I am stealing when I use it.

I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.

[AussieStiffler]

Request for info. What venues are in operation in SD?

I've been past most establishments in maps / listed here and various site and found only Roxy (next to Nepolitano), Foxy's, Oasis and Teresa to be in operation.

Any insights would help.

Thanks.

[OldKool]

There is a publico in the drop off area of the airport upstairs. Locals who work at the airport use them to get back and forward. Go upstairs and exit to the left. There is currency exchange that give excellent rates upstairs. While downstairs you can buy or get minutes for any DR phone you have. The van is usually about 50 yards back. The cost is a 100 pesos to go to downtown SD. At the last stop are cabs that will take you to metro or Caribe for 300 pesos. The van has no signs so you got be observant. I feel like I am stealing when I use it.

Anyone know the most economical way to get from Las Americas airport to Metro bus station in Downtown Santo Domingo. Do I have any options other than a taxi.

Thanks.

[Knowledge]

You are correct about public displays of affection with friends and lovers. I was referring to women who grab at your dick in public or hug you when they met you five minutes ago.

I don't think this is part of the culture. Dominican girlfriends will hug their men and other women in public. What you are seeing is a reluctance to publicly admit they are in a sexual relationship with an older foreigner because it marks them as probably prostitutes.

[Knowledge]

Uber.

Uber now accepts cash in Santo Domingo.

Anyone know the most economical way to get from Las Americas airport to Metro bus station in Downtown Santo Domingo. Do I have any options other than a taxi.

Thanks.