Santiago

[Sammon]

I would like to know if there is a possibility of renting a car at Santiago
airport if I take Jet Blue which arrives at the ungodly hour in the early morning.

If anybody has rented a car thank you for the info.

[Tom Gueguen]

NY TRAVELER

There is no reasons to fear the cops or customs in the airport.

The problem with these guy is that they are very badly paid and as they are working at the airport have some kind of prestige and level to maintain. Because it is a good job and others dominicans think that's well paid.

So they try all they can to scam you.Knowing that some travellers may have something to hide they put the pressure upon you but if you stand up you have nothing to fear. Do you really think they would have use their weapons or put in jail if you have refuse to give your watch?

Dominican Republic is a country where you have to be a MAN !

According to me the young guy was just joking with you and was probably very very surprised to see that you play the game. He is certainly still laughing.

That all that I can say because I'm quite voiceless, and I don't want to put the blame on you.

Take care the next time.

[Boriman]

To New York Traveler,

For what it's worth I thought that my trip to DR would involve problems with customs but to my surprise it ran real smooth. I made it a point of not bringing anything that would give them an excuse to harass me. No electrical items (laptops, radios, etc.), no jewelry, and I even restrained myself from bringing some small scissors to trim my mustache for fear that they would take it away from me. Whatever I needed to bring with me that might have caused problems, If possible, I placed in the bag that would go under the plane, to cargo. I carried a fanny bag around my waist and when it came time to place all my stuff in the plastic basket I took my keys, wallet (with money), passport, and other what nots and placed it all in my fanny bag. In other words, anybody who wanted to check my stuff had to open the bag up. Second, I would not forget I left anything in the basket since everything was in the bag. Third, out of sight is out of mind. They cannot steal what they do not see. Surely they are not going to stop all the passengers just to harass one guy. Also, when I arrived in DR I was wearing jeans and a tie dye t shirt. No use dressing like a million bucks. I looked like a regular traveler. I happen to speak Spanish and made them aware of that. Also, even if you do not speak Spanish I am sure that there were alot of passengers who were bilingual and who would not have minded helping you out. Instead of bringing large sums of money just use traveler's checks. The rate exchange, I heard, is not so hot though. Or you can use you ATM card and withdraw money (as long as the card is not blocked or limited in how much you can withdraw). It is all a learning experience. I made many mistakes myself whiel in DR but as long as they do not occur again I figure that I got something out of the experience.

[NY Traveler]

The following day(Oct 24), I received a message from a Jet blue rep. advising me that they have conducted an investigation into the theft of my watch and similar problems that have been occurring at that airport. I have since received a call from a security agent of jetblue who called me from Santo Domingo and assured me that he will be meeting with a high ranking military official who oversees the security at the airport, and will make sure that the individuals involved are dealt with swiftly. I will keep you posted as to what the final outcome will be.

[Sammon]

Never ever give in to the customs officials unless you are carrying contraband articles. Stand your ground and ask to see the supervisor.

If you give in ,they will think they can shake down anybody.

Whenever I travel to DR I usually wear cheap watch not so much scared of the customs people but the chicas who might steal or I may get drunk and somebody might take it from me.

[Peep]

That is really bold to take someone watch place it on your wrist and steal it. I have been to DR 9 times this year and only got shook down once by the police. I notice I am a target because Budget and Payless car rentals place bumper stickers with their name plastered on your vehicle. Who can afford rental vehicles in DR?????? Gringos.

Thanks to Prtyr2 good advice, he helped me out with police stops. That American Embassy bluff worked. Thanks again Prtyr2.

I was stopped last Christmas by customs in Santo Domingo. The agent wanted $10.00. I told him I don't speak Spanish and showed him my tourist card. He got frustrated and waived me on.

One time, I was departing and the screener supervisor lady tried to take my rechargeable batteries. I told her I was not leaving without my batteries, after five minutes of me talking to her in English & Spanish she got frustrated and gave me the batteries. The screeners did get for two bottles of Dominican wine once.

I didn’t know you are only allowed to take four bottles through DR customs. Now I take four bottles through customs and five in my carry on. These days, I leave my carry on in the rental car, check-in my luggage and return the rental after check-in and board with no problems. It works for me.

Like Prtyr2 wrote "Dominicans will back down every time to a good bluff." They do, just work out some scenarios in your head before you arrive in DR, because they will try you.

[Prtyr2]

NY traveler. . . .that sucks! The number one thing anybody can do to have a better time in the DR is to learn as much spanish as possible. I have NEVER had a customs or immigration guy try and shake me down. In fact sort of the opposite.

FRom time to time I would pack up some electronic gadget or another to bring to the DR, such as DVD player, VHS deck, and one time a Mcakie mixer. Now that all bags get x rayed at SDQ, they usually discover the "goods" and tell me I have to pay customs on it. I immediately hit the offensive.

For example the VHS vcr, was actually an older one but was SVHS and I probably paid 500 bucks for it a few years earlier. The minute the guy told me I had to pay, I handed it to him. I said, "throw it out", "take it home", "give it to your wife for christmas" etc etc etc. I told him in spanish that I had not seen my son in 4 months and he was waiting outside with my wife. . . .I am neither married or have any kids, but my novia was waiting ;-)

I tld him the VCR was old and was not worth anything. He said he had to call a supervisor. I ranted that it took me over an hour for my bags to show up and I wanted out of that airport immediately. I agina told him to keep the VCR and started closing my suitcase. He freaked and quickly called a manger over. The manager cam over and before he said a word, I launched into my rant that the guy was not listening to me, I don't want the piece of crap VCR, I just want to go see my son, and picked up th VCR and handed it to the manager! He was shocked, refused the VCR, and told the other guy. . ."let him go, he's a gringo, what is the problem"?

Works every time! I am really good at getting out of traffic stops by police as well. Dominicans will back down every time to a good bluff.

If an airport guy was trying to steal my watch, I'd pull out a cell phone and tell him I was calling my buddy, who's father in law was a general in the Police, and tell him I was being robbed. . . .I'd have my watch back in 2 seconds, and probably could get his watch or spare change as well!

I will be putting up a website soon with all sorts of useful travel info onthe DR and particularly santo domingo to help tourists stop getting ripped off etc. Plus I'll have all the scoop on where the "action is".

[NY Traveler]

Here is a posting that I just made on DR1.

At first I would like to say hello to everyone and thank DR1 for this forum to express our views and allow for us to share our encounters in the DR. On October 23, 2004 (last night) I arrived at STI for my Jetblue flight #426, back to JFK airport in New York, after having a fabolous five days in the DR.

After passing through customs I was stopped by a young security screener who had directed me to place all metal objects in the bin, which I complied. After placing my watch in the bowl that was provided for change and smaller objects, he immediatly took a liking to my watch then took it back out of the bowl to inspect. I would like to say that I have been to the DR many times in the past year, and dealt with the constant requests for change and offers to provide various deeds for little money to get by. But in this instance, I found myself standing in front of this young screener and his comrades (some of whom were armed) as he took my watch then placed it on his wrist then gave me his walmart special (watch) for me to have.

Unfortunately for me I don't speak good spanish and was running alittle late for this flight, so I didn't say much, not knowing exactly where this whole episode was taking me. I then proceeded through the metal detector to another security guard who wanted to check my bags, so I complied. As he was checking my bags, I had noticed that the same guy was watching as well as several other officers. Fearing for my life and liberty I just stood there and said nothing. by this time this officer had retrieved my cologne from my bag and sprayed it and said that he liked this and if he could have it, I said in english (if he could understand it or not) that it wasn't mine, so i guess he somehow understood what I was saying because he placed it back in my bag, then said when you come back to my country you bring me a small one, okay. So I said okay.

Thinking that this was all over, the same security officer then asked me if I had money for him and that he can take Dominican pesos if I have. I told him no, because I just took a taxi to airport and didn't have any money. He then pressured me to give him something, so I did, the same cheap watch that his buddy gave to me earlier. He was happy, however his buddy wasn't who was watching every bit of what was taking place. I then walked off without looking back towards the boarding area. I sat down next to a Dominican woman who was waiting to board the same flight and spoke alittle english. I told her what just happened to me at the checkpoint, and without any hesitation she jumped right up out of her seat to report the incident to jetblue. I asked her not too, either out of fear of retaliation or missing this flight due to what happened. I was tired and just wanted to get back to the states where I felt it would be in my best interest. She complied with my wishes, but expressed how embarrass she was for her country.

Once in flight, I had mentioned this to another passenger, who had stated that they had tried to shake him down for money, but he claimed not to understand and kept walking. I have since reported this to one of the flight attendants who gave me a name and e-mail address of the security director of jetblue and sent jetblue an e-mail requesting them to have one of the administrators call me at once. I will post their response here once I hear back from them. In addition, I would like to hear your response as too what I did wrong, or how you would have dealt with the situation if it had happened to you. Sorry for the long post, but I felt I had to share this with someone else who travels abroad.

[Prtyr2]

I heard that as well. The owner and manager were both jailed. The DR also just passed a law that calls for MANDATORY 30 year jail time for anyone involved in child prostitution etc.

[BoricuaOnline]

I read in a DR newspaper that Casablanca in Santiago was closed because of prostitution of minors. Any update about this information?

[JimmyDR]

Need a little help here - been to Blackbeards in Costambar twice - looking for a change of pace in Santiago. Does anyone know of a great little place like BB's in Santiago that has the same "amenities" - swimming pool, talent, and discretion?

Please - clean places only!

Thanks

Nothing even close comes to it in Santiago.

[Hoof Hunter]

Foxman-

Try Hotelpa Gran Almirante (Estrella Sadhala Avenue
Santiago Do 1492). Don't have a tel # for it.

It's the most expensive hotel in Santiago, but covers some of your criteria.

Not even close to Blackbeards with talent lying around. More like a US business class hotel with a casino.

You may have to recruit some chicas and take them to a cabana.

[Foxman Cometh]

Need a little help here - been to Blackbeards in Costambar twice - looking for a change of pace in Santiago. Does anyone know of a great little place like BB's in Santiago that has the same "amenities" - swimming pool, talent, and discretion?

Please - clean places only!

Thanks

[Brian I]

I'm going down to Saniago for a 3 day weekend. I was in Sosua this summer and really enjoyed. Lokking for recomendation for chica friendly clean well located hotel.

What's the deal with the "cabanas"? Any recomendation for clubs, discos to meet the lovelies? What is the going rate now with the $US down?

I'm trying enclosing photo of a friend from summer.

[Brian I]

I will be in Santiago for a three day weekend mid November. Any recomendations for hotel, clubs other places to meet girls? What's the story with the "cabanas"?

I've been to Sosua for a short visit before and enjoyed it but might best flight is in to Santiago. Is it worthwhile just staying in that area? I wouldn't mind day trips as well.

What is the going rate for short term or todo la n..? Any help would be appreciated.