General Info

[JimJames]

Sounds silly. How would they know Uber from your friend or any other car on the road? And what would they actually do, wreck the person's car and go to jail? Even many taxis in DR, you have no way of knowing they are taxis. They are just people's regular cars and not painted any funny colors.

Have you ever actually used an Uber?

[Mr Enternational]

Uber.

Any thoughts on using Uber. Was thinking of using to go from Sosua to Blackbeard. Also, using Uber for day trips out of Blackbeard's. The rumor I heard was, Uber will drop you off in Costombar but, because of Taxi Mafia, they refuse to pick you up.

Sounds silly. How would they know Uber from your friend or any other car on the road? And what would they actually do, wreck the person's car and go to jail? Even many taxis in DR, you have no way of knowing they are taxis. They are just people's regular cars and not painted any funny colors.

[JimJames]

Uber.

Any thoughts on using Uber. Was thinking of using to go from Sosua to Blackbeard. Also, using Uber for day trips out of Blackbeard's. The rumor I heard was, Uber will drop you off in Costombar but, because of Taxi Mafia, they refuse to pick you up.

[Turgid]

Which Latin American country, in your opinion, has the hottest hotel housekeepers?

[TomJackin]

You might want to open an account with Charles Schwab. I've saved hundreds, probably thousands over the years. At the end of every month you'll see a reimbursement for ATM fees. No exchange fees, nada. I lost my card once and they emergency shipped a replacement to the Philippines for free. Try getting your bank or credit card to do that.

Could not agree more. I had a fraud charge on my card when I was in Barcelona and CS canceled the card, removed the fraud charge, and sent me a new card within a few days. I never leave home without it!

[Sam 14]

....

Cheap access to one's cash is paramount in a country where one is contemplating staying long term.

Hey man. You might want to open an account with Charles Schwab. I've saved hundreds, probably thousands over the years. At the end of every month you'll see a reimbursement for ATM fees. No exchange fees, nada. I lost my card once and they emergency shipped a replacement to the Philippines for free. Try getting your bank or credit card to do that.

[Mr Enternational]

I wonder what they mean by "por avance de efectivo". There's a 6.25% on that. A literal translation would be "cash advance". If that is the case that's a stiff fee on a cash withdrawals with credit cards.

That is correct. Well the DR is a very expensive country when it comes to fees and taxes. The airport tax in and out of the country is going to cost you $100, which is among the highest in the world. And that 28% tax you pay when you eat at a restaurant is no joke either. My rental car for next month is going to cost $144, but comes to $207 with the taxes and fees. That is 44% right there.

[XXL]

I'm with the following institution:

https://do.scotiabank.com/content/da...al-06feb21.pdf

Incoming transfer is 6 euro.

That seems very reasonable. Of course it remains to be seen if the bank applies a fair exchange rate. Interestingly, Scotiabank was also recommended for Peru with respect to cash withdrawals with overseas credit cards.

I wonder what they mean by "por avance de efectivo". There's a 6.25% on that. A literal translation would be "cash advance". If that is the case that's a stiff fee on a cash withdrawals with credit cards.

In the first spreadsheet they say "Transacciones en cajeros automaticos" are free. This would suggest you can withdraw money for free with the bank's debit card.

Cheap access to one's cash is paramount in a country where one is contemplating staying long term.

[Sammon]

I just rebooked my February flight with Jet Blue for early August. Too many unpredictable hoops to jump through at this time. Be safe Saior02.

I doubt anything is going to change from current guidelines till at least October, November. New administration is going slow even if Covid rates decline. Traveling within USA will be easier as vaccinations pick up in speed but I doubt they would want to take a risk of COVID positive people getting in from other countries.

Testing and quarantine will be here to stay in the near future.

[Questner]

One of the disincentives of settling in many exotic countries, including most SA countries, is the percentages local banks keep of the money you transfer from your home country. How do Dominican banks fare in that respect? I'm interested in transfers from the euro zone, substantial amounts, say 10 k euros. Anyone with mileage?

I'm with the following institution:

https://do.scotiabank.com/content/da...al-06feb21.pdf

Incoming transfer is 6 euro.

[XXL]

One of the disincentives of settling in many exotic countries, including most SA countries, is the percentages local banks keep of the money you transfer from your home country. How do Dominican banks fare in that respect? I'm interested in transfers from the euro zone, substantial amounts, say 10 k euros. Anyone with mileage?

[Sailor02]

I think I will have to give up my February plan. The whole testing thing is still unclear. CDC wants it no more than 72 hours before arrival testing and the labs are talking about 72 to deliver result and so it boils down to you hanging around at airport not knowing if you can or not board. In addition, there is a new Presidential executive order signed yesterday, asking for self quarantine on arrival as per CDC recommendation. Too many barriers for a 7 day itch.

I just rebooked my February flight with Jet Blue for early August. Too many unpredictable hoops to jump through at this time. Be safe Saior02.

[Mr Enternational]

I think I will have to give up my February plan. The whole testing thing is still unclear. CDC wants it no more than 72 hours before arrival testing and the labs are talking about 72 to deliver result and so it boils down to you hanging around at airport not knowing if you can or not board. In addition, there is a new Presidential executive order signed yesterday, asking for self quarantine on arrival as per CDC recommendation. Too many barriers for a 7 day itch.

That is why I am not making plans for anything until they come up with something concrete. On the upside, DR is going back to the old curfew times starting on the 27th though.

[Tempoecorto]

I think I will have to give up my February plan. The whole testing thing is still unclear. CDC wants it no more than 72 hours before arrival testing and the labs are talking about 72 to deliver result and so it boils down to you hanging around at airport not knowing if you can or not board. In addition, there is a new Presidential executive order signed yesterday, asking for self quarantine on arrival as per CDC recommendation. Too many barriers for a 7 day itch.

[Tempoecorto]

See below, the Dominican government has promised free of charge covid tests availability to tourists:

https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/...-for-tourists/

I would not like to bet on what the DR government promises. In all likelihood those are mostly meant for " All Inclusive" resort guests to shore up that sorta tourism (I might be wrong) and perhaps the big hotels in the big cities. I have no idea how many of the typical members on this forum would qualify but of course, we are all free to decide for ourselves.