General Info

[QUOTE=Mr Gogo;1392255]I think it more than likely that a person in the DR would steal an 80usd bottle of cologne than someone in the States losing their job over an 80usd bottle of cologne.[/QUOTE]From ABC News: "The Top 20 Airports for TSA Theft. At the head of the list is Miami International Airport, which ranks twelfth in passengers but first in TSA theft firings, with 29 employees terminated for theft from 2002 through December 2011." [url]http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/top-20-airports-tsa-theft/story?id=17537887[/url]

[QUOTE=Mattco; 1392292]Usually stay in Sosua but spending a couple of nights in Santiago for the first time. Any suggestions for a cheap place to stay?

Thanks my Brothers![/QUOTE]I stayed one night, years ago at Hotel Platino (I posted photos before). It is on Avenida Estrella Sadhala, across the street from PUCMM University. Price for one person is around $47US, price for two is around $58US. They also have more expensive rooms. [url]http://www.hotelplatinord.com/tarifas.html[/url]

Airbnb has various listings for Santiago.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa; 1392652]From ABC News: "The Top 20 Airports for TSA Theft. At the head of the list is Miami International Airport, which ranks twelfth in passengers but first in TSA theft firings, with 29 employees terminated for theft from 2002 through December 2011."

[url]http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/top-20-airports-tsa-theft/story?id=17537887[/url][/QUOTE]The difference is as I mentioned before is that in the DR (yes Jao, Colombia too) the airport workers are supervised by bigger thieves than they are. Does anyone believe that if one of the workers in an airport in a third world country was caught lifting something out of a bag that they would get fired, hell no, they would get a "high five" by their fellow thieves. Thinking that any criminal acts of any kind is less apt to happen in any third world country than happen in the USA is absolutely ludicrous.

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1392703]The difference is as I mentioned before is that in the DR (yes Jao, Colombia too) the airport workers are supervised by bigger thieves than they are. Does anyone believe that if one of the workers in an airport in a third world country was caught lifting something out of a bag that they would get fired, hell no, they would get a "high five" by their fellow thieves. Thinking that any criminal acts of any kind is less apt to happen in any third world country than happen in the USA is absolutely ludicrous.[/QUOTE]You seem to state that all DR workers and their bosses are thieves, what keeps them from stealing from every piece of luggage at the airport?

How many workers in foreign airports got blamed for stealing, for thefts that actually occurred in US airports?

Some thieves are beaten, shot and killed in the streets in the DR. Being beaten, shot and possibly killed, might be a bit of a deterrent to some would be thieves. (you can search in youtube, there are videos showing what happens to some thieves in the DR).

You seem to mostly visit Sosua and Puerto Plata (Costambar) and probably most, if not all Dominicans you deal with are in the p4p trade.

I wonder what some people in foreign countries think of the state of connecticut, after seeing the recent news out of Newtown. I have never seen a Dominican enter a school and murder 20 children, or murder people in a movie theater (aurora) or blow up a truck loaded with fertilizer (Oklahoma City) or murder fellow students in another school (Columbine) or murder over 60 young people as occurred in Norway.

If it makes you feel good to feel superior to Dominicans, that is your choice. (Dom Rep is predominantly populated by non-white, non-rich people)

[QUOTE=Jaosousa; 1392717]You seem to state that all DR workers and their bosses are thieves, what keeps them from stealing from every piece of luggage at the airport?

How many workers in foreign airports got blamed for stealing, for thefts that actually occurred in US airports?

Some thieves are beaten, shot and killed in the streets in the DR. Being beaten, shot and possibly killed, might be a bit of a deterrent to some would be thieves. (you can search in youtube, there are videos showing what happens to some thieves in the DR).

You seem to mostly visit Sosua and Puerto Plata (Costambar) and probably most, if not all Dominicans you deal with are in the p4p trade.

I wonder what some people in foreign countries think of the state of connecticut, after seeing the recent news out of Newtown. I have never seen a Dominican enter a school and murder 20 children, or murder people in a movie theater (aurora) or blow up a truck loaded with fertilizer (Oklahoma City) or murder fellow students in another school (Columbine) or murder over 60 young people as occurred in Norway.

If it makes you feel good to feel superior to Dominicans, that is your choice. (Dom Rep is predominantly populated by non-white, non-rich people) [/QUOTE]Yes, most of the time I go to the north coast because yes, I am going there for P4P, I'm not afraid to admit it. I don't try to convince myself that the "non-pros" I sleep with are angels. I have traveled all over the DR, probably at least as much as anyone on this forum. And I tried to keep my statements geared towards all third world countries. I have traveled to at least twenty of them and it is the same everywhere, poverty breeds desperation and thus crime particularly theft but you wouldn't know because you haven't been to anywhere near as many countries as I have. You can ridicule Colombia all you want, you have no idea what you are missing there sir, try it, you might like it, you don't have the balls. How many times have I read members report that they preferred the DR over Colombia, NEVER. I have read the reverse many times.

Look at the DR through rose colored glasses all you want but when you finally take them off it is the same broke ass third world country we all have grown to love and hate sometimes.

In order to not disrespect the forum I will refrain from further comment.

The people that get beaten and killed for being thieves in the DR stole from other Dominicans Einstein, not Americans.

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1392733]In order to not disrespect the forum I will refrain from further comment.[/QUOTE]Excellent, thank you.

i have rented a car during more than 25 trips in the dominican republic, over more than 10 years. for more than 15 trips while driving in the dom rep, i was never stopped by police or anyone else. during about 3-4 trips i was stopped at least 4 times. i was never forced or coerced to pay any money as a result of driving in the dr. i was driving with revere one morning and got a flat, two policia nacional drove by on a motorcycle, stopped to make sure all was ok and they changed the car's tire. my past trip, february 2013, i was stopped one time by an amet officer (motor vehicle law enforcement in the dr). he asked to see my driver's license, i had my new york state driver's license in my shirt pocket, i gave it to him, he looked at it and i was on my way in less than a minute from when he asked me to stop. he was stationed at the same intersection, the days i drove by and he was stopping dominicans as well. policia nacional also stop dominicans. many municipal workers in the dr do not make much money, i have on occasion given a tip to some friendly and nice policia nacional. my last three trips in the dr, i was stopped at most once per trip. there is a push to confirep001e illegal firearms, during stops in the dr some policia nacional are looking for illegal firearms, which i have no problem with.

i have driven to various neighborhoods in the dr at all hours of the day and night and never had a problem, never felt threatened. i drive with the driver's window open, most of the time, with my left arm leaning out slightly. during one trip, while i was staying in santo domingo, i decided to visit isg member charles pooter in puerto plata. i started the trip around 11am, had a dominicana i met online meet me at carrefour on autopista duarte for 10 minutes, then drove to moca during a heavy rain, not a problem. the dominicana in moca brought along a friend for the trip to puerto plata. i drove to puerto plata, met pooter on the malecon. he showed me where blackbeards was, visited blackbeards for less than 10 minutes and then had dinner in a restaurant outside the gates to costambar, in the dark (power was out and there were no lights). after dinner, drove pooter to where he lived. then drove to passions in santiago with the two dominicanas from moca. passions was quiet because it was early, so the three of us drove to a cabana in santiago. after the cabana, drove to moca, dropped off the two mocanas and drove back to santo domingo. entered santo domingo around 6am. highway between santiago and santo domingo is four lanes (two each direction), in good shape. the main roads in santo domingo have street lights and the times i have driven in santo domingo the street lights have always been on. most of the streets are in good shape, some are brand new.

being in the dominican republic, if i want the mountains i can easily drive to constanza, where some homes have fireplaces, because it can get chilly at night. freshwater streams in constanza, with water that is a little cold. east, west and north out of santo domingo are 4 lane roads in good shape. other factors, the dr has no ongoing 49 year old civil war (colombia). the dr has no history of kidnappings (colombia). the dr has no production of cocaine (colombia). when i am on vacation i like to see the beach and occasionally go for swim at the beach, i generally don't want to be in the industrial heartland of a country (medellin). this is the dominican republic forum so i'll try not to post much about colombia. the author who wrote black hawk down, also wrote a book entitled: "killing pablo: the hunt for the world's greatest outlaw" the first chapter is available online and gives a brief history of colombia: [url]http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/b/bowden-01pablo.html[/url]

when i drive in the dr, i like to listen to music from cds i made or buy before the trip (dj tatana, tribute to trance). this past trip i brought along a diffuser that plugs into the car's cigarette lighter outlet. frankincense and myrrh appear in the bible and are sometimes the scents that are in catholic churches. frankincense oil (now) and myrrh oil can be purchased online at amazon, to be used in the diffuser, to give the interior of the car a nice scent (a larger diffuser, scent ball plugin, is available for the hotel room). when i drive in the dr i use sunglasses from the company native eyewear, polarized lens with a grey tint, vents on the frame keep the lens from fogging (can be purchased online at the outlet section of rei.com).

i have gotten blowjobs in the car about three times while in sosua and gotten head while driving, and when parked at the beach with no people around in dom rep.

[quote=jaosousa; 1393274]i have rented a car during more than 25 trips in the dominican republic, over more than 10 years. for more than 15 trips while driving in the dom rep, i was never stopped by police or anyone else. during about 3-4 trips i was stopped at least 4 times. i was never forced or coerced to pay any money as a result of driving in the dr. i was driving with revere one morning and got a flat, two policia nacional drove by on a motorcycle, stopped to make sure all was ok and they changed the car's tire. my past trip, february 2013, i was stopped one time by an amet officer (motor vehicle law enforcement in the dr). he asked to see my driver's license, i had my new york state driver's license in my shirt pocket, i gave it to him, he looked at it and i was on my way in less than a minute from when he asked me to stop. he was stationed at the same intersection, the days i drove by and he was stopping dominicans as well. policia nacional also stop dominicans. many municipal workers in the dr do not make much money, i have on occasion given a tip to some friendly and nice policia nacional. my last three trips in the dr, i was stopped at most once per trip. there is a push to confirep001e illegal firearms, during stops in the dr some policia nacional are looking for illegal firearms, which i have no problem with.

i have driven to various neighborhoods in the dr at all hours of the day and night and never had a problem, never felt threatened. i drive with the driver's window open, most of the time, with my left arm leaning out slightly. during one trip, while i was staying in santo domingo, i decided to visit isg member charles pooter in puerto plata. i started the trip around 11am, had a dominicana i met online meet me at carrefour on autopista duarte for 10 minutes, then drove to moca during a heavy rain, not a problem. the dominicana in moca brought along a friend for the trip to puerto plata. i drove to puerto plata, met pooter on the malecon. he showed me where blackbeards was, visited blackbeards for less than 10 minutes and then had dinner in a restaurant outside the gates to costambar, in the dark (power was out and there were no lights). after dinner, drove pooter to where he lived. then drove to passions in santiago with the two dominicanas from moca. passions was quiet because it was early, so the three of us drove to a cabana in santiago. after the cabana, drove to moca, dropped off the two mocanas and drove back to santo domingo. entered santo domingo around 6am. highway between santiago and santo domingo is four lanes (two each direction) , in good shape. the main roads in santo domingo have street lights and the times i have driven in santo domingo the street lights have always been on. most of the streets are in good shape, some are brand new.[/quote]excellent information jao and thanks for sharing with us. can you share some more insight with sd newbies such as myself? :

-how many trips to sd did you take before you were comfortable enough to start driving there?

-do you get your rental cars from the airport? if so, what company would you recommend?

-what is the name of the insurance you should buy ("casa del conductor?")

-also, is gps of any use in the dr?

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1393288]Can you share some more?[/QUOTE]Thanks amigo, some pics from the beach (playa).

Jao is a pros pro. I have about 10 trips to the DR in in 3 years but only rented once in SD. My girl friend provided directions and I was able go where I needed. However driving in SD is a sport, There are some rules to the road that you need to learn very fast. Depending on where you are gong streets can be terrible. Huge pots holes. I was charged for minor pot hole damage. 300 dollars. I think it was a scam but could not prove anything. After that one time I decided I could get where I needed to go with taxi and pub trans. Unless you are on a high level of mongering a car can be a liability. IMHO I stay close to the venues where the fun is. If you are going to out of the way places for your girls then a car can be an asset but for basic puta hunting you will not need it. For me traveling like a local is fun and you can meet regular girls.

[QUOTE=SavePros321; 1393288]Excellent information Jao and thanks for sharing with us. Can you share some more insight with SD newbies such as myself? :

-How many trips to SD did you take before you were comfortable enough to start driving there?

-Do you get your rental cars from the airport? If so, what company would you recommend?

-What is the name of the insurance you should buy ("Casa del conductor?")

-Also, is GPS of any use in the DR?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=OldKool;1393479]Jao is a pros pro. I have about 10 trips to the DR in in 3 years but only rented once in SD. My girl friend provided directions and I was able go where I needed. However driving in SD is a sport, There are some rules to the road that you need to learn very fast. Depending on where you are gong streets can be terrible. Huge pots holes. I was charged for minor pot hole damage. 300 dollars. I think it was a scam but could not prove anything. After that one time I decided I could get where I needed to go with taxi and pub trans. Unless you are on a high level of mongering a car can be a liability. IMHO I stay close to the venues where the fun is. If you are going to out of the way places for your girls then a car can be an asset but for basic puta hunting you will not need it. For me traveling like a local is fun and you can meet regular girls.[/QUOTE]I have never seen the need to drive my own car (from POP) or rent while in SD. Taxis will take you almost anywhere in the city for 200 pesos ($5) and usually get you there quicker as they tend to know all the back streets. Why fight the traffic, risk accident or missing manhole cover damage just to maybe save a few dollars. IMHO. Not worth it.

On another note. My novia has a small car rental business on the North Coast and she carries the highest level of insurance she can get on her cars. I asked her insurance guy if she should add casa de conducteur insurance and he said it is not worth paying for it as the police will only recognise it if you are Dominican, not sure if that is true but he should know and he had no reason to bullshit me.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa; 1393274]When I drive in the DR, I like to listen to music from CDs I made or buy before the trip (DJ Tatana, Tribute to Trance). This past trip I brought along a diffuser that plugs into the car's cigarette lighter outlet. Frankincense and Myrrh appear in the Bible and are sometimes the scents that are in Catholic Churches. Frankincense oil (Now) and Myrrh oil can be purchased online at amazon, to be used in the diffuser, to give the interior of the car a nice scent (a larger diffuser, scent ball plugin, is available for the hotel room). When I drive in the DR I use sunglasses from the company Native Eyewear, polarized lens with a grey tint, vents on the frame keep the lens from fogging (can be purchased online at the outlet section of rei. Com).

I have gotten blowjobs in the car about three times while in sosua and gotten head while driving, and when parked at the beach with no people around in Dom Rep.[/QUOTE]Excellent information. I too have worn sunglasses while driving in the Dr. I also wear Rockport shoes, they can be bought online but I prefer to buy mine in person so I can try them on first. Which scent do you find the chicas prefer for your car? I always find that if you can please them right away it leads to a better performance later in the cama.

[QUOTE=Llttf; 1393491]I have never seen the need to drive my own car (from POP) or rent while in SD. Taxis will take you almost anywhere in the city for 200 pesos ($5) and usually get you there quicker as they tend to know all the back streets. Why fight the traffic, risk accident or missing manhole cover damage just to maybe save a few dollars. IMHO. Not worth it.

On another note. My novia has a small car rental business on the North Coast and she carries the highest level of insurance she can get on her cars. I asked her insurance guy if she should add casa de conducteur insurance and he said it is not worth paying for it as the police will only recognise it if you are Dominican, not sure if that is true but he should know and he had no reason to bullshit me.[/QUOTE]Thank you very much for this info!

I am rolling out in two weeks with 2 wingmen. Black Gomer Pyle and a newbie friend from my gym who has been waiting 3 years to go. We are hitting Sosua first on a Monday night and SD on the weekend with some non pros. I am so stoked. 19 year old pussy is beautiful thing. I am schooling my boy the newbie. Gomer is on his own. I just hope I can keep the Mifiaosa chicas off of him. He is as green as grass. Last trip I hooked him up with very sexy non.pro friend. He wanted to write her letters, not email. The build up is so much fun. Reading post and looking at pictures of chicas. Yaaaaa!

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1393288]Excellent information Jao and thanks for sharing with us. Can you share some more insight with SD newbies such as myself? :[/QUOTE]I am not Jao and do not pretend to have his depth of knowledge but I will provide my two pesos worth.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1393288]-How many trips to SD did you take before you were comfortable enough to start driving there?[/QUOTE]Have been to the DR 10 times started driving on my third trip. Gets easier each trip but I try to not let down my guard and become complacent. When I was a kid my dad used to get to gawking and run off the road. I try not to be that driver but the older I get the harder it becomes. Sometimes I have to remind myself where I am and pull over to look at the scenery rather than become my fathers son.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1393288]-Do you get your rental cars from the airport? If so, what company would you recommend?[/QUOTE]I have rented exclusively from Budget in SDQ, STI and POP. One time I rented a car at STI and had a flat in PP. The Budget guy at POP handled everything for me and I got a new tire at the Hertz rental in PP. Was hit by a motorcycle in Cabrette and the Budget people were there for me with a lawyer contacting the local police on my behalf. The credit card paid the repairs on the car $800 after $250 deductible and the liability insurance from Budget paid for the motorcycle $200 and $20 clinic visit. I have not tried other rental agencies but recommend Budget. The economy car in SDQ is the Kia Rio and they have the Hyundai Elantra in POP and STI. I prefer the Rio the Elantra I had in STI was mostly worn out and needed new tires. The Kia in SDQ was brand new two years ago and had 17 KM on the odometer.

I was told by the lady at Budget in SDQ that Hertz and Budget are owned by the same people.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1393288]-What is the name of the insurance you should buy ("Casa del conductor?")[/QUOTE]I use the Comprehensive from using my AMEX card. I take the liability, tire and glass insurance from Budget. This adds about $15 per day to my rental fees but worth it for the Peace of Mind.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1393288]-Also, is GPS of any use in the DR?[/QUOTE]I use a Garmin GPS with Dominican maps from GPS Travel Maps.

[url]http://www.gpstravelmaps.com/dominican_republic.php[/url]

Budget has GPS's for rent with their cars but I have not inquired about the price. Before each trip I plan my routes and upload the routes and points of interest to my GPS before leaving. This way I get the route I want and not necessarily the shortest as chosen by the GPS. For example the best route from SDQ to Sosua / PP is to use the toll road and through Nagua (in my opinion) but the GPS routes you through SD and Santiago since that is the shorter route. Problem is you have to drive through traffic so the over all trip takes longer then driving up the coast from Nagua.

I would not like trying to drive in the DR without a GPS. I have used mine to route myself all over the island and around SD. I do not like driving in city traffic so I avoid SD whenever possible but last trip I need to pick up a friend in downtown SD and the GPS routed me into and out of the city without many problems. Having the GPS helps in that I can pay attention to the driving and not worry so much about getting lost.