Santiago

[GrownMan1]

I know a gentleman who does the airport. City route at night in Santiago. I have not used him for quite a while (as I mostly rent cars) but I can touch base with him. Send me a PM here with the day of arrival and other info. Once he confirms he can do it, I would send you his Whatsapp so you can directly converse with him, from then onward. I used to pay him about $20 equivalent including tips.

If you don't get in contact with him hit me up I have a contact for you.

[FlbMac31]

Considere setting up the PM option available in this forum.

I just moved back stateside four months ago, but lived in that area for three years.

I've stayed at Hodelpa several times, on first arrival and with my family a few times afterwards. I consider it one of the classier places in town.

There are always "Club Girls" hanging around the entrance wanting someone to take them inside. They can't enter without an escort. They're easy to spot dressed up in their prom-style dresses.

The front desk staff are accustomed to having guests go up to a room but will take the guests cedula and hold it until they leave. For your protection. They turn it over to the police if there are problems and since the girls value that cedula they behave. There are several agencies working the area and you can negotiate prices in spite of what they say. Check out Dominican Backpage. If you had PM I would refer you to one I believe has the safest opportunities.

If you're going to be there a few days consider chatting with one of the night security guys. Offer a 200 peso tip, max 500. Selling your body is not against the law in DR, but pimping is. Just comment that you wish you could find a cute young chica to spend some quality time with. If they respond move on otherwise don't ask that person again. If they can get the girl to you without any hassle it's worth the tip. Especially if you can see her or a pic beforehand. They know the girls and can also set you up. Keep in mind there is a tendency to markup the cost. Many of the agency girls want $150-200 which is outrageous. I know, cheaper than the US, but crazy for DR.

Everyone who lives there has the number to their taxi driver. Speaking Spanish, even a little helps. Tempe's offer is good. You're paying for the drive from town out to the airport and then back to Hodelpa. It's a drive so 1000 pesos is OK. And don't tip. That's $22. If you have to take a taxi at the airport, and there are plenty, they will ask for $20, which they will convert to pesos later. But that's less than 1000.

If you set up PM I'll forward you a contact number for a chica if you're into 2 p0 ish spinners.

Mac Out.

Hello everybody!

Headed to Santiago for a multi day work trip, and will be staying at the Hodelpa Gran Almirante. Is there anything close by that area to some action? I see the hotel has a casino and a massage place, but the hotel looks pretty decent and wasn't sure if it was legit only massage? Also ok with taking an uber somewhere close, but time is kind of limited. Thanks in advance and will report back upon my return!

[Tempoecorto]

I would be willing to do something like that with all my stuff safely guarded in my hotel room but not at 12 am when I am due to arrive. I was looking for some service that might even meet me at baggage claim. If all fails I will take an airport taxi. I was just curious to know if any remise services were available at that hour.

I know a gentleman who does the airport. City route at night in Santiago. I have not used him for quite a while (as I mostly rent cars) but I can touch base with him. Send me a PM here with the day of arrival and other info. Once he confirms he can do it, I would send you his Whatsapp so you can directly converse with him, from then onward. I used to pay him about $20 equivalent including tips.

[Dwade]

Hello everybody!

Headed to Santiago for a multi day work trip, and will be staying at the Hodelpa Gran Almirante. Is there anything close by that area to some action? I see the hotel has a casino and a massage place, but the hotel looks pretty decent and wasn't sure if it was legit only massage? Also ok with taking an uber somewhere close, but time is kind of limited. Thanks in advance and will report back upon my return!

[Dwade]

Hello everybody!

Headed to Santiago for a multi day work trip, and will be staying at the Hodelpa Gran Almirante. Is there anything close by that area to some action? I see the hotel has a casino and a massage place, but the hotel looks pretty decent and wasn't sure if it was legit only massage? Also ok with taking an uber somewhere close, but time is kind of limited. Thanks in advance and will report back upon my return!

[Mr Enternational]

I would be willing to do something like that with all my stuff safely guarded in my hotel room but not at 12 am when I am due to arrive. I was looking for some service that might even meet me at baggage claim. If all fails I will take an airport taxi. I was just curious to know if any remise services were available at that hour.

For what it's worth, I have never heard of an instance of being taken for a ride when you needed a ride in DR. We are talking about a country where you pull on to the side of the road and pick up random strangers. The most that would happen is an inflated price, but your belonging will be safe.

Remember taxis in the DR are not marked as they are in other countries. They are just older normal cars with the plastic taxi sign that you can probably get anywhere. Personally I would opt for the Uber instead of those raggedy ass taxis that you are going to pay 3 times as much for. Hell with Uber you have the driver's picture and license plates on your account. For a regular taxi you don't got shit.

[Artisttyp]

Just order it on your app the same as you do anywhere else and see how it turns out.

I would be willing to do something like that with all my stuff safely guarded in my hotel room but not at 12 am when I am due to arrive. I was looking for some service that might even meet me at baggage claim. If all fails I will take an airport taxi. I was just curious to know if any remise services were available at that hour.

[Mr Enternational]

I do have Uber and an unlimited international data plan. Can Uber meet me at the airport terminal?

I always rent a car so I really don't know. My guess is that they may be on the street right in front of the airport. Because the way Santiago airport is set up, when you come into the driveway you have to take a ticket. Then leaving out you have to pay 25 pesos. But it is a short distance to walk. There is the building, driveway, 2 rows of parking, little patch of grass, then the street. They just as well may be inside and make the customer pay the parking fee though. Just order it on your app the same as you do anywhere else and see how it turns out.

[Artisttyp]

I don't know if you will have internet on your phone, but for less than $10 you will be in the house with an Uber. I have T-mobile from the States so I always have free internet international.

I don't recall exchange places at the Santiago airport at all. May be because I am not really looking for them since I use the ATM. When you leave out the building and go to the right, there is a Banco Popular ATM (that I always use) and the same bank. Maybe people exchange money inside. But it definitely is not opened at that time of night.

I do have Uber and an unlimited international data plan. Can Uber meet me at the airport terminal?

Thanks Again.

[Mr Enternational]

I will be arriving at 12 am in STI and Hotel LOS Jardines does not offer taxi service unfortunately. Besides doing the obvious and getting into a taxi located at the airport are there other options?

Will the airport have an exchange place open at that time? I assume airport taxis will not take dollars?

I don't know if you will have internet on your phone, but for less than $10 you will be in the house with an Uber. I have T-mobile from the States so I always have free internet international.

I don't recall exchange places at the Santiago airport at all. May be because I am not really looking for them since I use the ATM. When you leave out the building and go to the right, there is a Banco Popular ATM (that I always use) and the same bank. Maybe people exchange money inside. But it definitely is not opened at that time of night.

[Artisttyp]

Greetings.

I will be arriving at 12 am in STI and Hotel LOS Jardines does not offer taxi service unfortunately. Besides doing the obvious and getting into a taxi located at the airport are there other options? Someone gave me the information for SUN Transfers but I don't see an email / contact info for them on their website. It's all self help. I like to communicate with actual humans.

Will the airport have an exchange place open at that time? I assume airport taxis will not take dollars?

I chose LOS Jardines due to it being mentioned here on ISG. Can anyone clue me in if there are cambios and a Claro service center in the general area? Any other points of interest within walking distance?

Thanks so much.

[FlbMac31]

DR is well known for its Cabanas. Rent by the hour rooms w / shower, TV, etc. Imperial is just down the road toward the city. There are several closer to you at different rates. Uber will pick you up and take you there and if you ask pick you up.

Club chica has limited pics, but has many more options. He will send you pictures. I have some local digits but sorry, won't share on a public forum. Girls end up getting harassed. The guy that runs it is an intermediary only. I've seen the change in his web site format noting additional fees, but whenever I've told him what I want he works out the details and I've never paid extra.

If you do not have WhatsApp on your cell, get it. You can video, voice or text call US and in-country easily. Locals use it a lot as a standard text receiver to avoid text fees. I have kids still there so use it both to US and back at no cost. It will also allow video and picture transfers.

I'll see if I can contact you by Twitter as an option.

Mac out.

Good advice about the PM. I see they have a cash option now, so I will have to look into that when I am back home. Also great to hear that uber is good.

One thing I see about the hotel is it will be hard to make use of due to the smallness, the front desk is sure to notice and I am concerned about them perhaps saying something offhand to one of my coworkers. Would love to get the digits, sorry I don't have access to PM, I don't really have a way to sign up right now as I am en route. I will have to do that when I get back home, as I can see where that would be valuable. I am on twitter with the same name however.

Which agency did you use? I have seen club chica mentioned on here a few times, but they see to not have a wide selection? Also, the fact that they list BBFS as an option for just slightly more sort of concerned me some, not sure if that is common practice or what.

Thank you for the info.

[TravelAllOva]

There are places in Santiago where women are available but there were a couple of police / Law and Order intervention and some places that were frequented by overseas guests, closed. The local car wash places are mostly for locals and needs time which you seem to have very little of.

That right there was super helpful to me, thank you. I saw some news articles and some mentions in there but you spelled out the crack down item great for me. I had a shadow of understanding of that, but you really filled in the blanks there.

You can try the McD next to where you would be staying but you need again, time and some conversation skills. I can only think of the casino (Hotel Matum) next to the monument, and also perhaps the other one (Aloha del Sol) next to your hotel, where I have read that women are available at times. I personally do not go look for women in those places, reason why those are second hand account.

Thanks for the tip. I will give that a try. I appreciate the help.

[TravelAllOva]

Wish you had PM option. Worth getting.

I'm an expat who just returned from Santiago a few months ago. Uber is fantastic there adn will charge to your credit card. Be mindful if your CC does not have free conversion fees are killers. Exchange in Miami is possible for pesons but exchange rate plus fee destroys any benefit.

If you have time in country any bank will exchange and give you top exchnage rate.

Central is a nice place but distant from the city and not good for visits unless you have them come to you. And hotels tend to be a challenge. I often used an agency based in Santiago or could offer some great digits but need to do so on PM.

Mac OUt.

Good advice about the PM. I see they have a cash option now, so I will have to look into that when I am back home. Also great to hear that uber is good.

One thing I see about the hotel is it will be hard to make use of due to the smallness, the front desk is sure to notice and I am concerned about them perhaps saying something offhand to one of my coworkers. Would love to get the digits, sorry I don't have access to PM, I don't really have a way to sign up right now as I am en route. I will have to do that when I get back home, as I can see where that would be valuable. I am on twitter with the same name however.

Which agency did you use? I have seen club chica mentioned on here a few times, but they see to not have a wide selection? Also, the fact that they list BBFS as an option for just slightly more sort of concerned me some, not sure if that is common practice or what.

Thank you for the info.

[TravelAllOva]

You order Dominican pesos from your bank?

No, this is my first trip to DR. Most of my trips have been North America, Europe, and China. For those locations, the bank has worked out great. I just go to the website, put in my order, and the money shows up a few days later. The exchange rate has always been fair in those cases.