General Info

[Maximus 70]

I am planning to go to the DR in March and feel like I need to brush up in the slang of the DR.

I have been to many spanish speaking countries and have found that to each country his own slang.

If someone can recomend something to ease the transition it would be much appreciated.

I have seen the "alternative spanish speaking dictionary" but alot of that applies to SA and CA.

Thanks,

Max 7

[Member #4643]

Thanks for the contact in the DR. Although I am certain that toothless Ted could give the silkiest BBBJ on the island, I think I will refrain from contacting him. :-))

The longtime bartender at Rocky's in Sosua is Ted. He is Canadian, and has been a resident for about nine years.

He was telling me that last year he had all his teeth yanked and a set of dentures made, for an incredibly low price. I forget how much he told me, but I'm sure he would share the info with you.

His address is www.rockyted@hotmail.com. Good luck!

[Silver Shadow]

The longtime bartender at Rocky's in Sosua is Ted. He is Canadian, and has been a resident for about nine years.

He was telling me that last year he had all his teeth yanked and a set of dentures made, for an incredibly low price. I forget how much he told me, but I'm sure he would share the info with you.

His address is www.rockyted@hotmail.com. Good luck!

[Yanqui69]

Hi,

I noticed there is no info that comes up in a "dentist" search, but several travel sites say that many people go there for "dental tourism" ... So, can those of you who've used a DR dentist or know the email or tel. of dentists anywhere there, please post the info for those of us who are dentally-challenged and in need of help.

Thanks

Straddler,

You might want to look at some "legitimate" non-monger DR sites such as:

Sosuadominicanrepublic@yahoogroups.com

The latter is a group of DR fans living in and out of the country.

Most are ex-pats living in the Sosua/PP area.

Yanqui69

[Straddler]

Hi,

I noticed there is no info that comes up in a "dentist" search, but several travel sites say that many people go there for "dental tourism" ... So, can those of you who've used a DR dentist or know the email or tel. of dentists anywhere there, please post the info for those of us who are dentally-challenged and in need of help.

Thanks

[Ford]

Santo Domingo is a legitimate international business destination and afer DR-CAFTA is passed I have no doubt it will also be home to many multi-nationals and busines conglomerates.

As such, "our" hobby is wide-spread and is generally tolerated but takes a back seat to various legitimate business ventures such as tourism and other service and manufacturing related ventures.

Sosua and Cabarete is home to many quality all-inclusive hotels and is an enjoyable family vacation destination for both Europeans, Americans and Dominicans However, Sosua and Cabarete has developed (for better or worse) an internationally known reputation for prostitution. It is rampant in the salida bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels (heck, if you can speak any Spanish you can even pick up the check-out girls at the Playero Supermarket or the waitress wherever you eat your lunch! )

On a "per capita" basis there may not be a greater proliferation of working girls per tourist anywhere on the earth outside of Amsterdam and the Philippines. As a result of this, there is a continuous stream of agreeable, American and European "players" who will be happy to take you under their wing and show you the ropes.

I can't stress enough that none of the girls can speak a word of English! Its the atmosphere and monger-tourist that make Sosua "user-friendly". The girls are generally pleasant enough and can be very gfe but they aren't going to be speaking English. Don't expect this.

The one rather sad paradox of the Dominican Republic is that although many parts of the country have a "trampled-through" feel to them because of the tremendous number of International tourists that arrive at its shores every year - the percentage of English speaking residents is very small. This is unquestionably a product of a poor, underfunded and underdeveloped education system - perhaps one of the worst in the western hemisphere.

I have traveled to 12 latin american countries and the English speaking ability of the indigenous Domincan people is the worst of them all. I mean to be honest people in Nicaragua, Honduras and Venezuela are as poor as church mice but even they laugh at the education system in the Dominican Republic!

I have traveled to Sosua 5 times, had a novia there and she introduced me to probably around 8-10 of her girlfriends. Some were working in the "business" other weren't. I'd be suprised if there were 20 English words between the whole group!

Santo Domingo is a city of 3 million, it is a city that is very difficult to chop down into bite sized pieces and (IMO) is not a good first time/newbie place. Sosua on the other hand is a small town with a couple of main roads and after a few days you'll feel right at home! Follow the "monger-crowd" around at about 10pm and they'll show you the way!

(You can trust me, mates - I've been known to give out some good advice from time to time!)

cheers,

FORD

[New World Order]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. What is the best City to fly into for first timer. I am going to learn more spanish I know its needed. I know some basics but going to pick up more. Just want to go an experience the island. If anyone else has some useful info let me know.

Thanks again New World Order

Your very welcome!

In post #664, Ford has answered your question.

It depends on your level of Spanish. Santo Domingo and Santiago are great cities to meet up with non-pros. But you need to be able to speak in Spanish.

I have never been to Sosua. But I heard you will have no problem with the language barrier because many of them speak English. And like Ford has said, there will be many foreign tourists who can help you out!

Remember to stay at a hotel that has a safe. Put all of your important belongings in a safe such as your credit cards, passport, camera, etc.

[New World Order]

The only place in DR that I have visited is Sosua, and it is a very friendly place to non-spanish speaking tourists. Based on the description of Santiago and Santo Domingo below, I would say that Sosua is definitely a much better bet for a non-spanish speaking person. Also, the abundance of girls in a relatively small city/town makes for easy interactions.

You are correct!

For those who speak Spanish, then head to Santo Domingo and Santiago. These two cities have very beautiful non-pros.

From Santo Domingo to Santiago, you can take the Metro Bus. Its only 250 pesos. The bus has A/C, comfortable and adjustable seats, and a bathroom. And the chance to meet a girl in the bus during your 2-hour trip!

[Ford]

I am looking into flights to Santo Domingo. There appears to be 2 airports in town. Which is the one most commonly used?

Also, is Santo Domingo the best city to look for the ladies for a first timer to the Dominican Rep.?

........the most common airport used is Las Americas Airport (code: SDQ) it is larger - has almost 3x the runway capacity as Herrera Intl (code:HEX) Much more volume.

IMO, a newbie should tackle the north coast first. Sosua, Cabarete.
It is more user friendly, and on a percentage basis has a much higher number of US, European players "milling around" that will be willing to point you in the right direction.

The capital is a big town!

cheers mate......

[Double]

I am looking into flights to Santo Domingo. There appears to be 2 airports in town. Which is the one most commonly used?

Also, is Santo Domingo the best city to look for the ladies for a first timer to the Dominican Rep.?

[Nicko]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. What is the best City to fly into for first timer. I am going to learn more spanish I know its needed. I know some basics but going to pick up more. Just want to go an experience the island. If anyone else has some useful info let me know.

Thanks again New World Order

[Jb Cool]

The only place in DR that I have visited is Sosua, and it is a very friendly place to non-spanish speaking tourists. Based on the description of Santiago and Santo Domingo below, I would say that Sosua is definitely a much better bet for a non-spanish speaking person. Also, the abundance of girls in a relatively small city/town makes for easy interactions.

Santiago: You need to know Spanish in order to have fun in this city. This city is a 2-hour drive north of Santo Domingo. It is the 2nd largest city in the DR. The women here are most beautiful (in my eyes lol ). Most women are light-skinned.

The adult clubs such as Passion and Illusion charge around 3,000 for an all-nighter. But I did not find a single girl that spoke English.

Santo Domingo: A nice place to hook up with non-pros. But again, you need to know Spanish in order to hit on them.

The massage parlors here are quite expensive. There are a few girls who speak okay English.

The clubs and bars in Santo Domingo are very nice.

Sosua: I have never been to this city before. So hopefully someone else can answer it.

[New World Order]

I am trying to plan a trip into Dominican saw some cheaper flights and saw some expensive. Just want to know where is the best place to fly into. Dont want to fly in and be far away from all the action. Also not being familiar with the area and not knowing spanish so I thought I would ask. Santo Domingo was the cheaper one is that a good city to go to? Is it good to fly into and go to a closer city? what are my best options for a first timer to the Island.

Santiago: You need to know Spanish in order to have fun in this city. This city is a 2-hour drive north of Santo Domingo. It is the 2nd largest city in the DR. The women here are most beautiful (in my eyes lol ). Most women are light-skinned.

The adult clubs such as Passion and Illusion charge around 3,000 for an all-nighter. But I did not find a single girl that spoke English.

Santo Domingo: A nice place to hook up with non-pros. But again, you need to know Spanish in order to hit on them.

The massage parlors here are quite expensive. There are a few girls who speak okay English.

The clubs and bars in Santo Domingo are very nice.

Sosua: I have never been to this city before. So hopefully someone else can answer it.

[New World Order]

How long (timewise) is the trip between SD and Sosua via Caribe Tours and via taxi?

By bus, it would be around 5 hours. The bus will make stops in Santiago and POP.

By taxi, I'd say four hours to four hours and thirty minutes. But it is quite expensive. If I were you, I'd take the bus. The bus has large comfortable seats, A/C, movies, a bathroom, and a chance to meet up with a girl.

[Lotech]

How long (timewise) is the trip between SD and Sosua via Caribe Tours and via taxi?