General Info

[QUOTE=Kitie Carson; 1105211]I am thinking of staying at Rockys Hotel and bar. Has anyone ever stayed there? I am just looking for a clean cheap room close to the action with a nice bar / restaurant area to hang out in.

Any help or advice appreciated. [/QUOTE]I stayed at Rockys years ago, it is probably the closest place to classicos. This site lists 47 places to stay in and around sosua: [url]http://www.hotel-dominican-republic.net/[/url] (webpages for many of the places listed can also be found on the site). Choose Sosua and click search (their are about 8 pages with listings.

Webpage for Rockys: [url]http://www.rockysbar.com/[/url]

You may want to call Rockys and inquire as to whether they have air conditioning.

[QUOTE=Kitie Carson;1105329]Thanks Jao for the info. I was able to get a room w / AC at a great price. Looking forward to the stay nd to eat some rib's.[/QUOTE]My bad sir, I forgot that the Rocky guy rents condos at the palms amd tradewinds. Hopefully you got one of those. Please excuse my silliness.

Tonight the 24th of December is the grandest holiday of all in the DR. December 25th is a day to tend to your hangover and January 6th is Three Kings Day when gifts are given out.

Merry Christmas to ALL.

One of the main foods to be served on la noche buena is roasted pork (cerdo asado). Here are a few videos from Sosua News on how the pig is prepared. This is some good eating.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCTfpWo6Olo&eurl=http://sacandomelao.********.com/[/url]

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt-OxLktQeg&eurl=http://sacandomelao.********.com/[/url]

Sosua News (28 December 2007)
[url]http://www.sosuanews.com/index.php?id=1211&article=1[/url]

[QUOTE=Rit Teach;1102462]No Ovi Maps Of DR[/QUOTE]I used the Nokia Ovi Suite 3. 0 tonight and saw they have a map download for Dominican Republic, free. I will install it on my Nokia phone and see how it works in Dom Rep, supposedly no internet or data connection necessary to use the maps with the GPS in the phone.

Anything else?

I will be in Santo Domingo for about 6 months beginning this May. Does anyone venture out of the DR while on vacation? The cheapst flight I found was from DR-PR. Tht was about 100 buck round trip. I looked on expedia for Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Spain. Nothing under $600usd?

[QUOTE=Jaosousa;1109865]I used the Nokia Ovi Suite 3. 0 tonight and saw they have a map download for Dominican Republic, free. I will install it on my Nokia phone and see how it works in Dom Rep, supposedly no internet or data connection necessary to use the maps with the GPS in the phone.[/QUOTE]The DR map works on my Nokia phone in offline mode (the map is stored on the phone) it resembles the google map of DR. You almost need eagle eyes to read the street names (small font). I will use the Nokia phone in DR with a Claro SIM card, so at least I will always have a DR map with me in the cellphone, in case I need to find a street. The GPS, I will see how it works with the DR map on the Nokia on my next trip. The free Nokia DR map has hotels, restaurants, tourist sites etc.

The phone has a driving mode and a walk mode. I guess in the future, chica venues with their coordinates, can be listed and any monger will be able to plug the coordinates into his cell phone and get spoken, turn by turn, walking or driving directions.

Belatedly, I discover Geico provides no coverage.

Nor does State Farm. Are any of you aware of a USA company that provides basic coverage in thr D R?

[QUOTE=Sidney; 1110417]Belatedly, I discover Geico provides no coverage.

Nor does State Farm. Are any of you aware of a USA company that provides basic coverage in thr D R? [/QUOTE]All companies in the US will only provide coverage for the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, & the USA Virgin Islands. The Best option I have is Amex $19. 95 when you use their card for complete physical damage & liability coverage including "loss of use" otherwise I'd be buying the coverage from the rental company.

[QUOTE=Hunts;1110430]All companies in the US will only provide coverage for the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, & the USA Virgin Islands. The Best option I have is Amex $19. 95 when you use their card for complete physical damage & liability coverage including "loss of use" otherwise I'd be buying the coverage from the rental company.[/QUOTE]How does that work? I use my CC to cover CDW but I pay the daily rate for liability, window and tire coverage.

[QUOTE=Sidney; 1110417]Belatedly, I discover Geico provides no coverage.

Nor does State Farm. Are any of you aware of a USA company that provides basic coverage in thr D R? [/QUOTE]Confirm coverage before your trip. Citibank has been consistent. Amex varies by card product (green, gold, platinum, etc.)

Also, if you know your way around the country or know someone who does, you can easily replace tires and or auto glass for much less money than the cost of that insurance. The insurance for glass and tires won't even save you time because you have to wait for the rental company to replace the parts or exchange your car. It's faster to do it privately. Taxi drivers can help you with that but as always you want to make sure you are dealing with a trustworthy taxista if you can.

[QUOTE=Hunts;1110430]All companies in the US will only provide coverage for the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, & the USA Virgin Islands. The Best option I have is Amex $19. 95 when you use their card for complete physical damage & liability coverage including "loss of use" otherwise I'd be buying the coverage from the rental company.[/QUOTE]I have a visa cc that covers me completely if I refuse all other insurance options. But this is the DR so count on shit to go afoul. I usually use the local non airport dominican agencys. They already have their vehicle covered and have liability options. Plus I figure if I get in a jam ill just pay to get out of it with the help of the local boys. But if everyone involves has to wait on an outside company to render payment, your passport will be seized or you will be jailed for atleast the 48 hour minimum.

Just remember if their is an accident with injury try to take that person to the clinic (if its not serious) pay their bill and give them some pesos to sign off on it. If it goes to the hospital the police will be called and your cost just tripled. Bottom line, get all the insurance coverage you want but save some get out of jail money just in case.

Also BQ, my two Sosua girls have packed up and moved back to SD. So that might be my new DR home (SD). The Sosua board has just died, damn I feel like I lost my best drinking buddy. When I buy a CD for one song I usually press repeat and wear that song out, then one day ill take a drive and listen to the whole CD and like it. Then I forget about that first song. Thats kind of like Sosua is for me with SD being the whole CD.

[QUOTE=Hunts;1110430]All companies in the US will only provide coverage for the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, & the USA Virgin Islands. The Best option I have is Amex $19. 95 when you use their card for complete physical damage & liability coverage including "loss of use" otherwise I'd be buying the coverage from the rental company.[/QUOTE]I urge each of you to investigate insurance coverage with you respective cc companies. All seem to be differnt. Some provide coverage for collision. None for liability! Some have other coverages. For example AmEx has different coverages for my 3 cc's and 42 days and a $24. 95 annual fee. Citi MC has good coverages for 31 days.

[QUOTE=Mr Gogo;1110474].......I have a visa cc that covers me completely if I refuse all other insurance options. But this is the DR so count on shit to go afoul......[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Sidney;1110679]I urge each of you to investigate insurance coverage with you respective cc companies. All seem to be differnt. Some provide coverage for collision. None for liability! Some have other coverages. For example AmEx has different coverages for my 3 cc's and 42 days and a $24. 95 annual fee. Citi MC has good coverages for 31 days.[/QUOTE]Take Sidney's advice and double check. You need to call your credit card company NOT the issuing bank. The credit card company will explain their coverage and email or fax you the agreement. It is my understanding the credit card company provides CDW protection and it is your responsibility to pay for liability coverage. I have a general knowledge of what the credit card company will and will not do in the event of an accident. I speak from experience with three fender benders on record.

[QUOTE=Mr Gogo;1110474]............Also BQ, my two Sosua girls have packed up and moved back to SD. So that might be my new DR home (SD). The Sosua board has just died, damn I feel like I lost my best drinking buddy. When I buy a CD for one song I usually press repeat and wear that song out, then one day ill take a drive and listen to the whole CD and like it. Then I forget about that first song. Thats kind of like Sosua is for me with SD being the whole CD.[/QUOTE]There has been an increasing amount of chit chat about guys thinking of trying Santo Domingo. I am a Santo Domingo lover but honestly I feel most guys will NOT enjoy SD as an alternative to Sosua. You really need to be willing to devote time to learn the ins and outs of Santo Domingo. If casas are your thing SD is a piece of cake. I don't care for the casas for the most part so chica chasing involves a little extra work but the reward is worth it.

For the true Sosua Lovers, I say stay North young men, stay North.