Santo Domingo

[Knowledge]

I struggle greatly to understand why anyone would continue to put up with the higher cost, poor service, general nonsense, unsafe and filthy vehicles, and reckless drivers that come with using taxis in Santo Domingo. There are situations when uber isn't ideal (surge pricing periods or scarcity of available cars) but in most every case it's a no brainier.

Thursday caught uber from Mixer nightclub on Espana to Boca chica for 460 pesos and this morning reversed it back to my place on calle 8 for 512 pesos. BQ was always preaching uber but as usual I didn't pay him any attention but he was correct. Newer cars and very professional. Uber is my new best friend.

[Mr Gogo]

Thursday caught uber from Mixer nightclub on Espana to Boca chica for 460 pesos and this morning reversed it back to my place on calle 8 for 512 pesos. BQ was always preaching uber but as usual I didn't pay him any attention but he was correct. Newer cars and very professional. Uber is my new best friend.

[GrownMan1]

The SD parade is considered the "National Carnival" because it's the capitol city but the LA Vega one still reigns supreme.

The SD parade is limited to the malecon only. It is shut down for vehicular traffic. The procession goes from the beginning near the Fort then to the west, probably ends at Abraham Lincoln. Obviously that affects traffic on the malecon but outside of that, nothing.

It will take place in 2018 on March 4th. Of course that'll only be days after the Independence Day parade. I've never been to the Carnival in La Vega or Santiago, but the SD one is good fun. The backdrop of the Carribbean Sea adds charm.

My first time on overnight stay in the DR with first time on overnight stay in the DR was during Carnival. We just happen to be in Santo Domingo during that time. It was very big and concentrated in the colonial zone.

I also went to the Carnival in Las Vega. It was very nice however getting a hotel was useless unless you had reserved in advance. My crew actually had to settle in a hotel in Santiago. It was a challenge mongering because our rooms were so far away from the action. There were very beautiful chicas in both areas. If I had to choose one it would be SD for the convenience.

[SavePros321]

Ask any dominican, and he will tell you that the most famous carnaval is at La Vega, few miles from Santiago. Google "carnaval vegano" and see the pictures. I've been there this year and I can tell you it worth it, more than the one at SD. Fortunately, you could attend to both, as the carnival days are usually not the same in both cities. As far as I remember at La Vega, there were 2 sundays of carnaval. All cities / villages from DR gather on the main street this day at La Vega, which is not the case at SD. Hundreds of people walking disguised, very colourful, and several open air concerts. Very well organized.

It starts around mid day, till night. There are buses or taxis to easily come back to Santiago to sleep, as there is nothing more to do than the Carnival at la Vega.

Don't forget to buy "una bahina" to spank the chicas (picture attached)! You can find that at the entrance. Buy ear plugs, prepare your camera and have fun!

Appreciate the info and the pics bro!

[NamasteParis]

Has anyone been to the Carnival in SD that happens every Feb? Good place / time to get numbers from? Is the traffic a nightmare during this time?

Thanks.

Ask any dominican, and he will tell you that the most famous carnaval is at La Vega, few miles from Santiago. Google "carnaval vegano" and see the pictures. I've been there this year and I can tell you it worth it, more than the one at SD. Fortunately, you could attend to both, as the carnival days are usually not the same in both cities. As far as I remember at La Vega, there were 2 sundays of carnaval. All cities / villages from DR gather on the main street this day at La Vega, which is not the case at SD. Hundreds of people walking disguised, very colourful, and several open air concerts. Very well organized.

It starts around mid day, till night. There are buses or taxis to easily come back to Santiago to sleep, as there is nothing more to do than the Carnival at la Vega.

Don't forget to buy "una bahina" to spank the chicas (picture attached)! You can find that at the entrance. Buy ear plugs, prepare your camera and have fun!

[SavePros321]

From what I remember Carnival is not a big thing in Santo Domingo. It was larger in Santiago and Moca the times I went there. And even in those places it did not affect traffic.

The SD parade is considered the "National Carnival" because it's the capitol city but the LA Vega one still reigns supreme.

The SD parade is limited to the malecon only. It is shut down for vehicular traffic. The procession goes from the beginning near the Fort then to the west, probably ends at Abraham Lincoln. Obviously that affects traffic on the malecon but outside of that, nothing.

It will take place in 2018 on March 4th. Of course that'll only be days after the Independence Day parade. I've never been to the Carnival in La Vega or Santiago, but the SD one is good fun. The backdrop of the Carribbean Sea adds charm.

Appreciate the responses.

[Parkinsons]

Has anyone been to the Carnival in SD that happens every Feb? Good place / time to get numbers from? Is the traffic a nightmare during this time?

Thanks.

The SD parade is considered the "National Carnival" because it's the capitol city but the LA Vega one still reigns supreme.

The SD parade is limited to the malecon only. It is shut down for vehicular traffic. The procession goes from the beginning near the Fort then to the west, probably ends at Abraham Lincoln. Obviously that affects traffic on the malecon but outside of that, nothing.

It will take place in 2018 on March 4th. Of course that'll only be days after the Independence Day parade. I've never been to the Carnival in La Vega or Santiago, but the SD one is good fun. The backdrop of the Carribbean Sea adds charm.

[Mr Enternational]

Has anyone been to the Carnival in SD that happens every Feb? Good place / time to get numbers from? Is the traffic a nightmare during this time?

From what I remember Carnival is not a big thing in Santo Domingo. It was larger in Santiago and Moca the times I went there. And even in those places it did not affect traffic.

[SavePros321]

Has anyone been to the Carnival in SD that happens every Feb? Good place / time to get numbers from? Is the traffic a nightmare during this time?

Thanks.

[OldKool]

Let me know what he charges from the airport. Sounds like a winner. PM me.

I have a driver there now. He's an Uber driver but I was so impressed I took his number and have now used him a few times. Unbelievably efficient and prompt, even by western standards, will pick you up any time day or night and has an immaculate car. If anyone wants details PM me. This guy deserves as much business as I can put his way.

[PuntingGeorge]

One of the tough things about SD is travel in the city. The cabs are a crap shoot. Cab drivers are some of the biggest scam artist in every city. With uber in full effect SD just opened much wider for me.

I have a driver there now. He's an Uber driver but I was so impressed I took his number and have now used him a few times. Unbelievably efficient and prompt, even by western standards, will pick you up any time day or night and has an immaculate car. If anyone wants details PM me. This guy deserves as much business as I can put his way.

[OldKool]

One of the tough things about SD is travel in the city. The cabs are a crap shoot. Cab drivers are some of the biggest scam artist in every city. With uber in full effect SD just opened much wider for me.

[Rohee]

Comparing the chicas attitudes and preferences between the two places is okay, but the other comparisons.

Between Puerta Plata and Santo Domingo, Santo wins hands down. You A'int seen nothing yet man.

[Mr Gogo]

At first years ago it didn't bother me because all I cared about was getting pussy but over the years I've learned to be more secretive and unpredictable when it comes to the locals. I used to sneak into Sosua unannounced and three hours later my phone would be blowing up after word got back to Puerto playa. Couldn't really sample the new stuff for fear of a regular popping up and starting drama. The South coast girls don't appear to have this gossip network as everyone has a big city attitude of minding their own business. Did you notice how the north coast locals mostly hangout and watch while the South coast locals had an agenda? I also switch up my money exchange places after one regular spot in Sosua gave me a tongue lashing because he felt I cheated on him when a girl told him I was exchanging my money at other spots LOL. You can probably pick any random motorchoncho guy in Sosua and ask them about an ex pat and they probably know him and some of his biz. The last straw was when my taxi driver friend in Sosua told me I'm good to the girls and told me what I was paying my two favoritas. Most don't worry about this gossip and even know it exists but with the South coast being so spread out and girls more private, it works for me.

[Haven123]

The post below is pretty good but it also has explained that for me the south coast is better. ............The north coast is great if you like things simple and easy but if you want more then SD is the ticket.

1. I definitely liked the True hotel in SD in The Barcelo, and I have never been able to find a single True hotel in Pto Pta ever. Not in Sosua, not in Cabarete, not in San Felipe de PP (at least outside the all inclusive resort in Cofres ).

2. Also, the malls have very good leisure options such as Hard Rock Cafe in the Blue Mall. And the Italian restaurant at the entrance to Sambil mall (but the grocery store in Sambil was not even as good as Playero in Sosua).

BUT, The TRAFFIC, OMG. It's a killer.

And, attitude wise, the girls are not my type. But that's just a personal preference. I am not the Go GO type, I guess! Haha.

In the end, it's all about local or micro-culture, and a girls attitude for me. I don't care for the attitude of the girls in Sosua or Cabarete either. But, I have met very many wonderful girls in Puerto Plata, or from Montellano, Imbert and of course my favorite, the girls from Luperon. Reminds me of the song, the girl from Ipanema. (although in Brazil, the girls from Curitiba and Parana anywhere are my favorite) Tell me where else in the DR I can find girls like that? Please.

The Uber guy who drove me into Punta Cana was telling me many times how much he likes the morenas from Boca and Juan Dolio, but I never stopped there. (BTW my resort room was old, but large. Shower, bathroom etc just fine, food good, the in-house disco rocking every night from 1130-2 am and I was there nights dancing away for at least 5 nights. Pool area activities were fun and a riot at times.

However, despite all that Puerto Plata area works best for me. Because of the friendlier attitude of the girls.

If you are up to it, I would love to rent a big Casa by the beach and spend at least 10 nights in the Luperon and Imbert area...sometime.

( PS: why would you care about any gossip, particularly gringo gossip? I did not get that...coming from you of all people ).