General Info

[BogieMaker]

I'm heading to SDQ early April for fun & relaxation. I have an unlocked iPhone XR that I would like to activate in Dominican Republic and it appears that Claro & Altice are the two primary carriers. What is the best service and what is best way to activate. Online or in store? And what is the typical monthly cost?

Thanks, Strawhat.

Having used both I prefer Claro over Altice (Orange). If you are staying in populated areas they both have good coverage but Claro has been better in the campo. In the past Orange had spotty coverage at Blackbeards but Claro had strong coverage.

When you activate the SIM make sure you put minutes and data on the phone. Sometimes if you do not ask they just activate the SIM with neither voice or data. I think the 5 day unlimited data plan on Claro is the best bang for the peso. When I was there a year ago the 5 day plan was 200 pesos and I believe I purchased the SIM for 60 pesos. It is easy to extend the plan at a Claro booth which can be found in most of the stores.

Make sure you have your passport with you when you get the new SIM. On refills the passport is no longer required.

[Oakie]

All the damn experts on everything up in here and I am the only one to answer your question. I guess if is it is not about "dumb girls" no one knows a damn thing about it!

LOL!

I think you answered the question well.

No need to chime in with more of the same, but Good Job, Well said, Bravo, and Ole, if it makes you feel good!

LOL.

[Mr2125]

I'm looking for hotel room or serviced apartment with a doorman with a kitchen (so I can watch chicas cook for me). Any recommendations? Trying to spend less than 100 $ a day. I found some on airbnb but I don't know their policies on bringing in multiple guess.

[SubCmdr]

As you exit to the left will be a Altice (or is a Claro) I cannot remember. Depending upon what time you arrive in SDQ they may or may not be open. It is 100 - 150 DOP for a prepaid SIM card. I have never activated online. And I have never had a post paid plan here in the Dominican Republic. On the prepaid side it will completely depend upon your usage of phone and internet services. You can buy packets of internet use as you go on the prepaid side. Once again I cannot tell you how much that is. I live here. So I have a internet plan in the place where I live. And I pay for a hotspot monthly for mobile internet service.

I have always used Altice for my mobile internet service and Claro for my home internet service. My choices are based on my personal opinion of the prices and service I have received from the two different providers of telecommunication services.

All the damn experts on everything up in here and I am the only one to answer your question. I guess if is it is not about "dumb girls" no one knows a damn thing about it!

LOL!

I'm heading to SDQ early April for fun & relaxation. I have an unlocked iPhone XR that I would like to activate in Dominican Republic and it appears that Claro & Altice are the two primary carriers. What is the best service and what is best way to activate. Online or in store? And what is the typical monthly cost?

Thanks, Strawhat.

[StrawHat]

I'm heading to SDQ early April for fun & relaxation. I have an unlocked iPhone XR that I would like to activate in Dominican Republic and it appears that Claro & Altice are the two primary carriers. What is the best service and what is best way to activate. Online or in store? And what is the typical monthly cost?

Thanks, Strawhat.

[Tempoecorto]

I have a person, who drives me from airport to Sosua whenever I get there. He is a young lad, from Venezuela and speaks fairly decent English. Let me know in case it interests any of you Sosua visitors (via Santiago). I pay him 3000 + a tip = all told about 3500 pesos.

[Sailor02]

Can anyone recommend a driver in boca chica? I would need help getting groceries and covid test. Planning on returning late next month. Sailor02.

[Charles Pooter]

What would be a fair price for a ride from Sosua to Costombar.

OPTION ONE.

About 100 pesos (about US $1. 75).

Publico to the hosptal in Puerto Plata: 60 pesos.

JC publico to the entrance gate of Costambar. 40 pesos.

Double the above prices while COVID regulations are in force because they are only allowed half as many passengers. Fine with me, I alway buy two seats for more comfort.

If you want Blackbeards, add 75 pesos for a motoconcho.

Note: this won't work after dark as the JC publico stops at dusk.

OPTION TWO.

Charter a private cab.

2000 pesos.

OPTION THREE.

Negotiate a dedicated publico from the parada in Sosua (maybe 1000 pesos).

[JimJames]

What would be a fair price for a ride from Sosua to Costombar.

[Oakie]

I have been traveling to Costombar / Sosua for years. I have a go to driver also. He is kind of a pain in the ass sometimes. I am exploring options.

From what I have learned so far from posting in other groups is Uber does work on occasion. I will be selective on how I will use the service.

Is there any way you can message me you driver's contact info.

I will be in Sosua March 29th -April 9th. Costombar April 9th - 16th. Hit me up if you want to grab a beer.

Thank you for the info.

Jj.

I'll PM his number, and recommend you but as usual, like with chicas, can't guarantee the same service we got. But you should be OK, this guy is punctual, a rare thing down here.

[JimJames]

Over the years I have spent a fair bit of time on Contambar Beach. My PP chica often hosts my birthday bash there, at Marina's shack with the locals.

We take our dedicated publico driver there and back from Sosua, at 500 pesos each way (Dominican pricing, LOL). On the odd occasion he can't make it for pickup we have been virtually stranded there, waiting for a local taxi.

They believe this gated area is their personal domain and they are notorious for making a visitor aware of that.

That's how they got the Taxi Mafia name in the first place.

I have been traveling to Costombar / Sosua for years. I have a go to driver also. He is kind of a pain in the ass sometimes. I am exploring options.

From what I have learned so far from posting in other groups is Uber does work on occasion. I will be selective on how I will use the service.

Is there any way you can message me you driver's contact info.

I will be in Sosua March 29th -April 9th. Costombar April 9th - 16th. Hit me up if you want to grab a beer.

Thank you for the info.

Jj.

[Oakie]

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.

Over the years I have spent a fair bit of time on Contambar Beach. My PP chica often hosts my birthday bash there, at Marina's shack with the locals.

We take our dedicated publico driver there and back from Sosua, at 500 pesos each way (Dominican pricing, LOL). On the odd occasion he can't make it for pickup we have been virtually stranded there, waiting for a local taxi.

They believe this gated area is their personal domain and they are notorious for making a visitor aware of that.

That's how they got the Taxi Mafia name in the first place.

[Bliadun]

As an asshole from a taxi mafia told me they track Uber drivers using the Uber app. I had a few bad experiences when an Uber driver was stopped at the entrance of Costambar and begged me to come just out of the main gate for pick up. Heard similar stories from guests staying at BB. For the airport, I use Tropiclink, even cheaper than Uber, and no issues with the taxi mafia.

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]

Not only am I a gold member and a stock holder, but I am in the Domimican Republic right now. And yourself?

I am very impressed. ! Sorry I ever doubted you. I will leave it at that as, I have nothing to prove to anyone.

[Mr Enternational]

Have you ever actually used an Uber?

Not only am I a gold member and a stock holder, but I am in the Domimican Republic right now. And yourself?