Puerto Plata

[Frannie]

Planning my first trip back to the DR after a 3 year hiatus. My last visits were to Santo Domingo. This time around I am interested in sampling the bar scene in Sosua and Blackbeards . . . and maybe other Puerto Plata options. Would like to spend 5 days at BB and 10 days in Sosua. I will most likely fly into & out of POP airport. I would like to ask some veterans which is the best way in fitting the 2 locations in one smooth flowing vacation (and the related costs). Should I go to BB first or Sosua first? What is the best & least expensive way to get between BB & Sosua (ie. New Garden)? I can get by with my Spanish. My regular destinations have been Brazil, Medellin, Lima & SEA.

I would go to BB first, because I think it would be difficult to go from the free ranging atmosphere of Sosua to the more confined BB. But it would be OK to go to BB to find your feet in the DR, then move on to Sosua later on.

The least expensive way to get between BB and Sosua is to make friends with a local expatriate who has a car. About 2-3 Presidentes.

Public (shared) taxis are cheap--just a couple of US dollars for the trip from BB to Sosua if you walk up to the highway and don't mind sharing the front seat of a Corolla with a fat woman you have never met, or paying double to get the whole seat for yourself.

At BB they will have phone numbers for cabs that can be called out from Puerto Plata. I used to use one called Techi Taxi (I think) and you can negotiate fares. Cars are kind of old and beat up.

Then you can call one of the local Costambar taxi operators or charter a helicopter. Both about the same price.

[Almotu]

Planning my first trip back to the DR after a 3 year hiatus. My last visits were to Santo Domingo. This time around I am interested in sampling the bar scene in Sosua and Blackbeards . . . and maybe other Puerto Plata options. Would like to spend 5 days at BB and 10 days in Sosua. I will most likely fly into & out of POP airport. I would like to ask some veterans which is the best way in fitting the 2 locations in one smooth flowing vacation (and the related costs). Should I go to BB first or Sosua first? What is the best & least expensive way to get between BB & Sosua (ie. New Garden)? I can get by with my Spanish. My regular destinations have been Brazil, Medellin, Lima & SEA.

[Manizales911]

I am getting tired of reading all this about taxi cab costs and the danger of motoconchos etc. I like Ponderosa have rented a car the last 15 trips I have taken to the DR with my worst problem being one flat tire. Hint: don't be a timid driver. The cost is less than $30 per day and you have the freedom to go anywhere you like and take the chicas around who are happy to be your guide as well. I have been to fascinating places in the countryside, down the coast, and in the mountains that many gringos do not experience.

I am going down to BB on Nov 19 for 5 nights. Anyone else going around that time? My favorites there are Kirsia, Maria Isabel, Yojanny, Josefina, Alice and an outside girl (ex FOD) named Vanesa. I also like to try new ones each time. Anyone got any recent recommendations?

On the subject of reputation, I submit a good one at BBs pays handsome rewards. Moderately generous, consistent but firm is the trick. I have a good reputation with the BB girls and get spectacular service in and out of bed above and beyond what would be considered normal. This is possible when the girls know and trust you and believe me they talk among themselves about all the clients.

If you're tired of reading the posts discussing the pro's and con's of renting a car don't fucking read them. In my opinion the subject is a critical one and should be continually debated as the consequences are significant when, NOT IF, you get in an accident if you drive here. Your day will come trust me. I hope you continue to read the posts because even though you may be the worlds best driver the locals drive like assholes and chances are you will technically not be at fault, that doesn't mean shit, you WILL be at fault in the police' eyes and then the fun will begin.

That being said, my advise to anyone that drives in the DR is to read as much as possible any advise or reports written on this subject on this board.

[Traveler04]

Rockhunter depnding on the current exchange rate 1500 pesos ($42.00 us) ST and TLN 3000.00 pesos.

I notice that you have 81 posts to your credit. Respectfully, there are many many posts on this topic.

[Mr Gogo]

Gentleman,

I am planning my first trip to BB this fall and I was wondering if any one would be so kind as to tell me what I should expect to pay one of the ladies at the resort? Guidelines are nice, I don't want to overpay and start a bad trend.

Many thanks,

Rockhunter

I may be a little outdated but a couple years ago it was 40usd for ST and 80usd TLN. They have a website also. Also add in drinks and food if you want to be generous.

[Rockhunter]

Gentleman,

I am planning my first trip to BB this fall and I was wondering if any one would be so kind as to tell me what I should expect to pay one of the ladies at the resort? Guidelines are nice, I don't want to overpay and start a bad trend.

Many thanks,

Rockhunter

[BogieMaker]

I like Ponderosa have rented a car the last 15 trips I have taken to the DR with my worst problem being one flat tire...

I am going down to BB on Nov 19 for 5 nights. Anyone else going around that time?

I will be at BB for four days beginning Nov 21. Hope to see you there.

I to will have a car since I will be flying into SD and spending 14 days. I thought about public transportation but the trip just didn't work without a car and I want to see more than BB and Sosua. The tail end of my trip will be with my favorita at an AI near La Romana.

I plan on spending a few days at the Terra Linda after leaving BB. I know they have a small amount of parking in front of the hotel. But I was wondering if anyone might have some ideas on a more secure place to park while in Sosua.

Thanks

[JP Yank]

I am getting tired of reading all this about taxi cab costs and the danger of motoconchos etc. I like Ponderosa have rented a car the last 15 trips I have taken to the DR with my worst problem being one flat tire. Hint: don't be a timid driver. The cost is less than $30 per day and you have the freedom to go anywhere you like and take the chicas around who are happy to be your guide as well. I have been to fascinating places in the countryside, down the coast, and in the mountains that many gringos do not experience.

I am going down to BB on Nov 19 for 5 nights. Anyone else going around that time? My favorites there are Kirsia, Maria Isabel, Yojanny, Josefina, Alice and an outside girl (ex FOD) named Vanesa. I also like to try new ones each time. Anyone got any recent recommendations?

On the subject of reputation, I submit a good one at BBs pays handsome rewards. Moderately generous, consistent but firm is the trick. I have a good reputation with the BB girls and get spectacular service in and out of bed above and beyond what would be considered normal. This is possible when the girls know and trust you and believe me they talk among themselves about all the clients.

[Westy]

Doker is quite right on this point. As silly as it sounds, you get a reputation at BBs very quickly. The best one to get is to be a nice guy, fair with the girls and not a "push over".

The worst ones (in no particular order) are to be considered abusive to the chicas, or be a jerk, or being too much of a push over with the chicas (they label you as a sucker and it is hard to recover from that). Also if you "wife up" with one of the chicas on your first trip, the girl may try to put a "claim" on you for future trips and believe me, you don't want that.

Jeez. I'm beginning to wonder if I ought to just forget about Blackbeard's - and Sosua, and the DomRep, and maybe mongering altogether.

I figure I'm a jerk to all chicas everywhere, especially non-pro but even pro. The only way I can see to offset this is to be a pushover - cf. the "pushover" who took a chica down to talk with Rosalba but went ahead and paid her anyways, saying also to Rosalba that "I don't want her to be penalized for this misunderstanding," then paid another chica her full price the next day after a "personal failure" on my part - even though she told me "Rosalba said this was to be a freebie if you didn't get it up with me." (And after that session ended, I got La Pela.)

Maybe I ought to just get out of the way, stay out of the way and let the rest of you get on with business. It seems to get to be more and more often that "it sucks to be me" ....

[Ponderosa]

...... Remember one important thing, especially if your new, reputation matters at BB's if you want to have the best time. Hard to believe in a place like that but very true.

Doker is quite right on this point. As silly as it sounds, you get a reputation at BBs very quickly. The best one to get is to be a nice guy, fair with the girls and not a "push over".

The worst ones (in no particular order) are to be considered abusive to the chicas, or be a jerk, or being too much of a push over with the chicas (they label you as a sucker and it is hard to recover from that). Also if you "wife up" with one of the chicas on your first trip, the girl may try to put a "claim" on you for future trips and believe me, you don't want that.

PS: Anything about saving on taxi trips is welcome by me also. I have rented a car since my second trip with no accidents, but I can't tell you how many close calls I have been in. In many ways I would rather let the driving to someone else, although I know I would miss the freedom of it all.

[Manizales911]

Since you brought it up and always have valuable info to the board, Do you have info on avoiding the 45 dollar POP cab scam to BB's without renting a car. In all my trips I have never been able to avoid it, even using other drivers I use once down there...of course by now I realize the cabs have tight control over POP..but man dropping 90 bucks back and forth to the airport if going solo really adds unnecessary fees to the trip.

I have someone that will do it for $30.,speaks fluent english and has a brand new air conditioned van. As always with any taxista in the DR,make sure you tell him that you are only willing to pay $30.

If interested PM me for his #.

[Doker44]

Try to avoid using the regular Costambar private taxis as they are notorious rip-off merchants. These are the ones reception will call up for you but I guess Barba Negra get a cut. Guys have posted some useful alternative taxi numbers here for those staying at Blackbeards, to be used with discretion. Drivers have been killed in this country for trying to breach taxi cartels.

Since you brought it up and always have valuable info to the board, Do you have info on avoiding the 45 dollar POP cab scam to BB's without renting a car. In all my trips I have never been able to avoid it, even using other drivers I use once down there...of course by now I realize the cabs have tight control over POP..but man dropping 90 bucks back and forth to the airport if going solo really adds unnecessary fees to the trip.

Love Bite, yes you can bring outside girls. I usually do it once if down for 6 or 7 nights. I come in late and have them leave early by design. Remember one important thing, especially if your new, reputation matters at BB's if you want to have the best time. Hard to believe in a place like that but very true.

[Charles Pooter]

i have never been able to do costambar in less then 30 minutes to puerto plata in a car. the roads are terrible in costambar. i am sure you can do 15 minutes or whatever with motoconcho but you will never catch me on one. that is the surest way to increase your chances of death or major injury. at least in a car you have metal for protection in an accident. i know one chica who's leg is scared for life by the heat from the hot motorcycle muffler damaged. guess what motoconcho have no insurance. i am surprised, no insurance. lol!

i agree motoconchos are dangerous and would never persuade someone to take one who is of a nervous disposition. a friend of mine pays them double to go at half the speed, which improves his odds quite a bit, and is still peanuts compared to a private car or taxi.

if motoconchos bother you, take the j-c publico for 30 pesos. still only 18 minutes (tops) to central puerto plata plus whatever time you have to wait for one (0 - 15 minutes).

obviously renting a car becomes more viable if either:
1) you have a group of guys to share, or
2) you have to visit various places not easily accessible by public transport during your stay. but that might apply to one in a thousand blackbeard guests, and anyway we were only discussing getting into puerto plata and back.

not sure when you were last in costambar but i noticed a big improvement in the road in last night (via the university entrada). whether that improvement will survive the next tropical storm is another matter.

[Lopkx]

Good point Lopkx, but you way exaggerate the distance and difficulty of getting in and out.

I did Blackbeards to the centre of Puerto Plata (La Pulga) tonight by motoconcho in 12 minutes (120 pesos). I hadn't felt great all day and didn't want to hang around for a publico otherwise I would have taken the J-C publico (same way I arrived there) which is cheaper (30 pesos) and safer. Didn't try to haggle with the motoconchista as he seemed reluctant to leave his local patch so I was happy he agreed to take me.

Try to avoid using the regular Costambar private taxis as they are notorious rip-off merchants. These are the ones reception will call up for you but I guess Barba Negra get a cut. Guys have posted some useful alternative taxi numbers here for those staying at Blackbeards, to be used with discretion. Drivers have been killed in this country for trying to breach taxi cartels.

I have never been able to do Costambar in less then 30 minutes to Puerto Plata in a car. The roads are terrible in Costambar. I am sure you can do 15 minutes or whatever with Motoconcho but you will never catch me on one. That is the surest way to increase your chances of death or major injury. At least in a car you have metal for protection in an accident. I know one chica who's leg is scared for life by the heat from the hot motorcycle muffler damaged. Guess what motoconcho have no insurance. I am surprised, no insurance. LOL!

[Charles Pooter]

Everyone I think answered most of your questions. But, I wanted to make sure you understood that BB is not in Puerto Plata, it is in Costambar which is about 30-40 minutes drive away from PP. Costambar is isolated so if you are looking to hang out in Puerto Plata make sure you got transportation.

Good point Lopkx, but you way exaggerate the distance and difficulty of getting in and out.

I did Blackbeards to the centre of Puerto Plata (La Pulga) tonight by motoconcho in 12 minutes (120 pesos). I hadn't felt great all day and didn't want to hang around for a publico otherwise I would have taken the J-C publico (same way I arrived there) which is cheaper (30 pesos) and safer. Didn't try to haggle with the motoconchista as he seemed reluctant to leave his local patch so I was happy he agreed to take me.

Try to avoid using the regular Costambar private taxis as they are notorious rip-off merchants. These are the ones reception will call up for you but I guess Barba Negra get a cut. Guys have posted some useful alternative taxi numbers here for those staying at Blackbeards, to be used with discretion. Drivers have been killed in this country for trying to breach taxi cartels.