Santo Domingo

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline]I read the Carnival is the first Sunday after Independence day, in 2011 it is going to be February 27, which btw is their Independence day,[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Helpmann]That was my understanding as well.

-Helpmann :)[/QUOTE]
This year I attended the Carnaval in SD. I was confused when Carnaval would be. When I read the tourist publications they gave the wrong date. This year February 27 was a Saturday but the Carnaval in SD was March 7 not February 28.

The four Sundays of February Carnaval is held in other cities throuhout the DR. The Grand Finale is held in Santo Domingo on the first Sunday in March.

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline]I read that government is shutting down all exchange houses not connected to a bank. Franks on el Conde is closed according to the report. Can anyone confirm? I have exchanged 70% of my $$$ on Franks, although I recently discovered that my credit union credit card accounts charges no cash for exchange, providing me the best rate.[/QUOTE]I went to Franks yesterday, December 3. Franks was indeed closed, well not exchanging money would be correct. The person behind the window at Franks directed me to the gift shop next door. A guy in the gift shop had a table set up inside the gift shop. He had a metal money box on his lap and a calculator on the table. I exchanged at 37.1 - 1 USD.

I chatted with a chica last night. She told me two of her SW girlfriends relocated their trade from avenida independencia to the malecon a few blocks west of Jaragua Hotel/Casino. It didn't do them much good as they got picked up a couple nights ago by the Politur and thrown in the slammer for five days.

As been the reports of recent, avenida independencia was void of SW last night, December 3. The casas in the area are open as usual but no one will be seen hanging outside. Avenida Independencia has turned into a great street for senior year couples to take a late night stroll.

Has anybody ever been to the Carnival in La Vega? I was told it's the best in the country. It's always on the 3rd sunday in Feb.

[QUOTE=Bq Ribs]This year I attended the Carnaval in SD. I was confused when Carnaval would be. When I read the tourist publications they gave the wrong date. This year February 27 was a Saturday but the Carnaval in SD was March 7 not February 28.

The four Sundays of February Carnaval is held in other cities throuhout the DR. The Grand Finale is held in Santo Domingo on the first Sunday in March.[/QUOTE]

According to whatsonwhen.com webpage, 2011 Carnival is on Feb. 27(Information provide by the Dominican Republic tourist office):

Santo Domingo Carnival

Getting into the Santo Domingo carnival spirit. Courtesy of Dominican Republic tourist office
when: Feb 2011; Sun only (various dates)
where: Santo Domingo
cost: Free
time: Daily all day & night

Santo Domingo is awash with party-goers dressed in the traditional devil costume with elaborate masks during carnival time. Join in the contagious chaos every Sunday throughout February.

Carnival comes to an end with a giant parade down the Malecón with the Carnival King and professional dance groups on 27th February, Independence Day in the Dominican Republic.

[QUOTE=Skillfulrabbit]Has anybody ever been to the Carnival in La Vega? I was told it's the best in the country. It's always on the 3rd sunday in Feb.[/QUOTE]

I had a few La Vega chica contacts they told me Carnival is fun and the event of they year in their city; La Vega Carnival is the most popular of the country.

This info is provided by whatsonwhen.com webpage

La Vega Carnival

Carnival devils running wild on La Vega streets, Dominican Republic. Courtesy of the Dominican Republic Tourist Office
when: Feb 2011; Sun only (various dates)
where: La Vega
cost: Free
time: Daily all day & night

The Dominican Republic's African heritage is reflected in the wildly colourful masks and costumes at La Vega Carnival, renowned as the best in the country. Get into the carnival spirit with merengue and salsa dancing at all the parades.

Look out for the most typical costume of bright satin with dangling ribbons, bells and the compulsory devil horns, and don't be surprised if you get whacked over the head with a balloon by fellow revellers!

[QUOTE=Bq Ribs]I chatted with a chica last night. She told me two of her SW girlfriends relocated their trade from avenida independencia to the malecon a few blocks west of Jaragua Hotel/Casino. It didn't do them much good as they got picked up a couple nights ago by the Politur and thrown in the slammer for five days.

As been the reports of recent, avenida independencia was void of SW last night, December 3. The casas in the area are open as usual but no one will be seen hanging outside. Avenida Independencia has turned into a great street for senior year couples to take a late night stroll.[/QUOTE]

I have a friend who went to La Base, La Barrica and Coppa in one night. I asked her where do you have the most fun? She answered: " On Coppa, only thing I did not like it that there are more putas than ever there" It is possible that some of the street girls are inside the clubs now.

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline]According to whatsonwhen.com webpage, 2011 Carnival is on Feb. 27(Information provide by the Dominican Republic tourist office):,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Carnival comes to an end with a giant parade down the Malecón with the Carnival King and professional dance groups on 27th February, Independence Day in the Dominican Republic.[/QUOTE]
This is exactly how I had the confusion earlier this year. They have a military parade and they have Carnaval. This year the military parade was the last Sunday in February and the Carnaval was the first Sunday in March.

whatsonwhen.com ...............fine print

Event details can change. Please check with the organisers that the event is happening before making travel arrangements.

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline]I have a friend who went to La Base, La Barrica and Coppa in one night. I asked her where do you have the most fun? She answered: " On Coppa, only thing I did not like it that there are more putas than ever there" It is possible that some of the street girls are inside the clubs now.[/QUOTE]

No, I was there three times last weekend and the chicas were fine. Top notch talent but expensive. And there were a lot more then ever before. Jaosousa turned me onto his waiter and the guy knows all the regular chicas and their prices. The lowest price I heard was $100 por un rato. But they were so fine, I was tempted.

No doubt about it, Santo Domingo has truly changed. I am in SD now, second trip since the chica crackdown. I did my usual walk about town today and the chicas have vanished into thin air.

""CrazySunny69 Member

Reports: 5

RegularGood relations & contacts help your mongering experiences!

If anyone wants to stay away from the street girls, touts and wants the name of some of my friends who can imtroduce you to some of these non pro, cleaner females let me know. Here''s one I recommend that I guarentee noone will ever complain about being hustled!

His name is The Pastor, I reckon because of his calm mannerism, honesty and wisdom. The pastor has a couple hundred hotties in his phone, he speaks 5 languages, he is Haitan, trusyworthy and humble. Remember, honesty is hard to find with the touts, hustling and working the street! The Pastors number is 1-829-863-8158 or Santo who has helped many people on the board here over the years 1-809-743-9798 with personal introductions can pcik you up at the airport and understand english well but doesn't seak well but yiou can understand him for sure""

I am a newbie in this forum. I will visit SD in two weeks. Well, I do not speak Spanish and I think it will be good idea to have the service of "guide". Has someone used (except CrazySunny69) the service of the Pastor or Santo. Are they trustworthy? Or can you suggest me someone else with whom you did business?

[QUOTE=Skillfulrabbit]Has anybody ever been to the Carnival in La Vega? I was told it's the best in the country. It's always on the 3rd sunday in Feb.[/QUOTE]


I hear that's true but good luck finding a decent hotal. La Vega is a much smaller city and finding decent accommodations could be real tough.

For our Ex-pats living down there a homework assignment if you don't mind.

Please get back to us on the best dates to travel to Santo Do SDQ for the Carnaval and if you are planning on being there at that time. I'm looking at going there and can't pin down the best time. Plan is for me and my wingmen to rent an apartment on some of the better websites down there. Would love to connect with you, a dinner on us if you help us out. I used to live in SDQ so I'm not a total noob when it comes to the scene down there. We are thinking of mixing it up with amatuers, semi-pros, and the casas if they're still open. Wouldn't mind helping out the local college chicks with a few bucks.
Thanks for your help.

La Vega is about 20-30 minutes from Santiago. So you could always stay in a hotel in Santiago and drive over to La Vega for carnaval. I understood that carnaval was every Sunday in February in La Vega. In youtube you can do a search "carnaval vegano". This video is entitled "MEGA MAMIS CARNAVAL VEGANO 2009": [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAX_j9H_VKA[/url]

[QUOTE=Geolopes]I hear that's true but good luck finding a decent hotal. La Vega is a much smaller city and finding decent accommodations could be real tough.

For our Ex-pats living down there a homework assignment if you don't mind.

Please get back to us on the best dates to travel to Santo Do SDQ for the Carnaval and if you are planning on being there at that time. I'm looking at going there and can't pin down the best time. Plan is for me and my wingmen to rent an apartment on some of the better websites down there. Would love to connect with you, a dinner on us if you help us out. I used to live in SDQ so I'm not a total noob when it comes to the scene down there. We are thinking of mixing it up with amatuers, semi-pros, and the casas if they're still open. Wouldn't mind helping out the local college chicks with a few bucks.

Thanks for your help.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Geolopes]I hear that's true but good luck finding a decent hotal. La Vega is a much smaller city and finding decent accommodations could be real tough.

For our Ex-pats living down there a homework assignment if you don't mind.[/quote]Please get back to us on the best dates to travel to Santo Do SDQ for the Carnaval and if you are planning on being there at that time. I'm looking at going there and can't pin down the best time. Plan is for me and my wingmen to rent an apartment on some of the better websites down there. Would love to connect with you, a dinner on us if you help us out. I used to live in SDQ so I'm not a total noob when it comes to the scene down there. We are thinking of mixing it up with amatuers, semi-pros, and the casas if they're still open. Wouldn't mind helping out the local college chicks with a few bucks.

Thanks for your help.

[QUOTE=Geolopes]I hear that's true but good luck finding a decent hotal. La Vega is a much smaller city and finding decent accommodations could be real tough.

For our Ex-pats living down there a homework assignment if you don't mind.

Please get back to us on the best dates to travel to Santo Do SDQ for the Carnaval and if you are planning on being there at that time. I'm looking at going there and can't pin down the best time. Plan is for me and my wingmen to rent an apartment on some of the better websites down there. Would love to connect with you, a dinner on us if you help us out. I used to live in SDQ so I'm not a total noob when it comes to the scene down there. We are thinking of mixing it up with amatuers, semi-pros, and the casas if they're still open. Wouldn't mind helping out the local college chicks with a few bucks.

Thanks for your help.[/QUOTE]I'm arriving in Boca Chica on Feb 18 for 3 nights. Didnt plan on staying in La Vega. I'm gonna drive back to B.C. after attending the carnival. I will be hanging with my cousin from Haiti and my girlfriend from San Francisco de Macoris. It's a chance I might just go to S.D. instead of taking that drive to La Vega. Thanx