Puerto Plata

[Oakie]

I do not know about Barba Negra, but there used to be a brothel on the outskirts of Pto Pta called La Choza. The girls maintained a shrine with many candles, flowers and images. It was santeria rather than Catholicism proper, though.

I'm sure the gods are smiling down on BB.

I made my annual pilgimage to Constambar a couple of days ago. Pleased to report that the beach is alive and well.

As I understand it, the beach bars were bought up / optioned by developers for a hotel development (Marriott? And some were razed. But that hasn't gotten going yet, if ever, and my favorite little bar shack is still there, rented again by the same couple that were bought out! So they did OK! We had a big beach party with the locals, lots of beer and ron, and yes, loud music, but that attracted locals and tourists alike. They all gravitated to our party area, and many new friends were made. Before the barbecue food was served, everybody quieted while Grace was said.

Still my favorite local beach and with BB just up the street (where the only action is) not a bad place for a visitor to spend a couple days, and chill out.

Your point about having a dedicated publico is the best kept secret for getting around for a day. Drop off and pick up on time, waiting around and stopping to pick up a few supplies, no problem. We've had the same guy for 4 years now. On the drive back and forth to PP, I tell him I don't mind if he picks up a few passengers (especially if she's hot), to make a few more pesos, but he always refuses. He seems to be happy with our deal.

[Charles Pooter]

I will remember to pledge to the Catholic Church before the trip. I hope BB is within her protected zone.

I do not know about Barba Negra, but there used to be a brothel on the outskirts of Pto Pta called La Choza. The girls maintained a shrine with many candles, flowers and images. It was santeria rather than Catholicism proper, though.

[FunMan13]

I live in Houston. I have lived through 4 hurricanes. Might be fun to hunker down, say in BB, to ride out the storm! The only disappointment would be if I cannot lunch with Sir Charles in the Malecon with the downpour. The July-August heat would probably be like Houston too.

Since it's my first time, I will follow the general advice to head for BB first. And yes, Sir Charles, I will remember to pledge to the Catholic Church before the trip. I hope BB is within her protected zone.

Happy Mongering.

[Questner]

You just have to show up to get laid; wait too long, and in million years the whole tectonic plate with POP on top of it is going to drift away.

[Oakie]

The weather can be shit any time of the year (like right now, for example). If you plan in advance you have to take pot luck. My point is the likelihood of being inconvenienced by a hurricane in July in Puerto Plata or Sosua is very low, and the chance of being seriously inconvenienced is almost nil. No reason at all not to book if you are coming to fuck chicas indoors. If you are coming for sea-fishing, or hiking, or hang-gliding, then maybe worth being a little cautious.

If FunMan13 is a Catholic, he can be reassured, as all Dominicans will tell him that Saint Altagracia always diverts hurricanes away from the North Coast. Non-Catholics are not covered by that policy.

Statistically, Puerto Plata is overdue for an earthquake. Maybe tomorrow, maybe in thirty years, but probably sooner than a direct hurricane hit. Maybe worry about that instead?

However if one is bothered by extreme heat, that is a different matter. The temperature can sometimes hover around "feels like" 100 Fahrenheit for a week or two in July / August.

I've been here through most of the major brushes with hurricanes. No problem if you are not at ground level during a flash flood, and it's back to normal in a day or two.

This winter has been cool and wet though for days at a time, and it does get dreary after 3 or 4 days. Still better than that sticky humid August heat though.

I'm across the bay from you, and I see that mountain with PP running up it a third of the way, and can't help wondering if that mutha blows one day, will they be digging out preserved copulating bodies from casas and clubs, and opining how the local population were obsessed with sex, like they do with Pompeii? LOL.

[Charles Pooter]

The weather can be shit any time of the year (like right now, for example). If you plan in advance you have to take pot luck. My point is the likelihood of being inconvenienced by a hurricane in July in Puerto Plata or Sosua is very low, and the chance of being seriously inconvenienced is almost nil. No reason at all not to book if you are coming to fuck chicas indoors. If you are coming for sea-fishing, or hiking, or hang-gliding, then maybe worth being a little cautious.

If FunMan13 is a Catholic, he can be reassured, as all Dominicans will tell him that Saint Altagracia always diverts hurricanes away from the North Coast. Non-Catholics are not covered by that policy.

Statistically, Puerto Plata is overdue for an earthquake. Maybe tomorrow, maybe in thirty years, but probably sooner than a direct hurricane hit. Maybe worry about that instead?

However if one is bothered by extreme heat, that is a different matter. The temperature can sometimes hover around "feels like" 100 Fahrenheit for a week or two in July / August.

[John Clayton]

I have lived in Puerto Plata for thirteen years. No hurricane has hit Puerto Plata since the 1900's...

Yeah, point taken. POP is probably a pretty good spot: north shore, huge mountain range to the south and south east. You're right, hurricanes can be local, and I have seen a hundred houses destroyed in one valley while people a half a mile away were unscathed. Just sayin' even if there's no hurricane, the weather can still be shit that time of year.

[Charles Pooter]

Dude, hurricane season. I lived in the West Indies for many years, and I will never travel anywhere north of Trinidad from July to end of September. Just too risky. The weather can be super nice, but it can also just pour down for a solid week even if there isn't a hurricane.

I have lived in Puerto Plata for thirteen years. No hurricane has hit Puerto Plata since the 1900's. Four or five tropical storms have visited us during my thirteen years but none in the past 12 months. They can make life miserable for the locals but rarely affect the places gringos go for more than a day.

Two years ago there was much hysteria about Hurricane Irma. The worst it did to me was power out for twelve hours and blowing a lot of leaves and twigs onto my balcony. Children were playing in the street during the height of the storm (admittedly not very sensible). And that was allegedly the worst Pto Pta would have to face. A day later it was hot and dry as usual.

Much worse has been our current weather in Feb / March. A week of cold and rain two weeks ago and now the same again. Much more miserable than any tropical storm I have experienced here.

I only speak for Puerto Plata (since you have posted in that section). The mountain gives us a special micro-climate.

[John Clayton]

I will be in NYC at the end of July and have about a week to "spare". I am thinking of going to DR...

Dude, hurricane season. I lived in the West Indies for many years, and I will never travel anywhere north of Trinidad from July to end of September. Just too risky. The weather can be super nice, but it can also just pour down for a solid week even if there isn't a hurricane.

[FunMan13]

I will be in NYC at the end of July and have about a week to "spare". I am thinking of going to DR. I have never been to DR for mongering but have received BB's newsletters for years. The main reason I have never visited North DR is because I live in Houston and there's no direct flight to POP. I will make a decision this week. Thank you guys for all your posts. I have read them back to 2016. Keep 'them coming.

[SubCmdr]

I was in Santo Domingo este near V ave, just last week, and a Caribe Express had a sign out for 53.1 DOP to 1 USD. I deal in USD and I have found that my bank Schawb gives me the best exchange rates through ATM's through out the world. But I always bring a fist full of Benjis back from my country of origin. So, occasionally I need to exchange cold hard efectivo (cash baby). I cannot comment on CAD as I don't deal in that currency. But the dollar is on a serious run. But remember what comes up must go down. And we ain't talking dick action here fellas.

As for the advice that 1000 pesos don't matter, well maybe if you are rich off-islander gringo, I understand your perspective. But I most certainly don't agree with it. But that might be because I'm a poor gringo negro trying to get by day to day on the island. I be balling on a budget.

Now I'm not going to tell another man how to spend his money or set value. But I will tell you that by valuing things in USD instead of knowing the value of DOP you could be selling yourself short. If a girl charges 2000 DOP to fuck 1000 pesos is half of what you need to get your dick off just one more time by doing nothing more than taking advantage of the best exchange rate you can find. #1000 DOPmatters!

Hey but you rich off-islanders can feel free to throw your money around. After you leave I'm just going to tell the same girls that I live here and don't pay gringo tourist prices. Nothing like getting your dick sucked at local rates. Holla!

Dowhatchalike!

[Husker Dude]

WRONG. Nobody including Jenny's is going to give a good rate on CAD, the DR needs USD badly so yeah you can get the going rate or in a lot of cases OVER the going rate. CAD, nope. You will be lucky to get 36-1.

Manizales is right. When I was in DR in Sept, US was 52-1 & Canadian was 36.5-1.

[Manizales911]

https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter...rom=CAD&To=DOP

Jenny's will be fairly close to this, and will probably be one of the best rates you will find. Stay away from airport change booths, or just use them for a small amount to cover taxi or local transport to BB, if you didn't ask Robin to arrange a ride for you (which will be included in your BB bill). You can go to Jenny's as often as you like, but I had no problem getting enough cash for 10 days and keeping it my room safe.

And does it really matter to you if you get 40 to 1 or 41 to 1. If you change $1,000 CAD at 40 you will get $40,000 DOP. At 41 you will get 41,000 DOP. That's a difference of $24.40 CAD. Spend your time picking hot chicas rather than tryin to save $20 CAD.

WRONG. Nobody including Jenny's is going to give a good rate on CAD, the DR needs USD badly so yeah you can get the going rate or in a lot of cases OVER the going rate. CAD, nope. You will be lucky to get 36-1.

[Questner]

Hi All, Wanted to ask if anyone know tyhe current Canadian exchange rate is for DOP looking on line the average is 1 cdn to 40-41 dop. I am staying at BB's and if anyone know what Jennys is exchanging at that would be great I will check WU online also just in case. I will also be using the ATM so will need to check that rate when I try it. Thanks.

Cash exchange and ATM withdrawal rates will differ. For CAD cash you may verify this 'compra' rate https://do.scotiabank.com/banca-pers...de-cambio.html.

[MrHappyKat]

Hi All, Wanted to ask if anyone know tyhe current Canadian exchange rate is for DOP looking on line the average is 1 cdn to 40-41 dop. I am staying at BB's and if anyone know what Jennys is exchanging at that would be great I will check WU online also just in case. I will also be using the ATM so will need to check that rate when I try it. Thanks.

https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter...rom=CAD&To=DOP

Jenny's will be fairly close to this, and will probably be one of the best rates you will find. Stay away from airport change booths, or just use them for a small amount to cover taxi or local transport to BB, if you didn't ask Robin to arrange a ride for you (which will be included in your BB bill). You can go to Jenny's as often as you like, but I had no problem getting enough cash for 10 days and keeping it my room safe.

And does it really matter to you if you get 40 to 1 or 41 to 1. If you change $1,000 CAD at 40 you will get $40,000 DOP. At 41 you will get 41,000 DOP. That's a difference of $24.40 CAD. Spend your time picking hot chicas rather than tryin to save $20 CAD.