Punta Cana

[QUOTE=BoneYard;1739461]Any tips on where to find decent local cigars at reasonable prices? I'm staying at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace. I suspect resort pricing will be premium so I don't mind running into town to buy some.[/QUOTE]I am not familiar with that area, but usually in the DR you can find things like cigars in regular groceries, colmados, or supermarkets used by Dominicans, so it might make sense to check these out and compare prices to souvenir and tourist shops before you start traveling long distances in search of specialist cigar stores.

If you are interested in obtaining high quality "gourmet" cigars, then you might consider going on the one of the trips from a resort to cigar factories, which I believe may have transportation provided. You can also see some discussion on other Web sites, like here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147293-i28-k5471475-Buying_Cigars-Punta_Cana_La_Altagracia_Province_Dominican_Republic.html

[QUOTE=CrazyDave;1743021]I was trying to say that Higuey is 3rd largest city in DR and most tourists stick out like a big sore thumb. Very few of the Higuey residents speak English. Also, with a 35%+ unemployment rate, crime is a major problem. If you do not speak Spanish or have a trusted Dominican friend then you WILL get ripped off as I have NEVER met a Higuey taxi driver who could speak English during my 12 years /53 trips to the Bavaro / Punta Cana / Higuey area.[/QUOTE]The whole thing seems like a bit of a bother. If someone is staying in Punta Cana, they paid a premium for the flight, they are paying a premium for the hotel, meals, drinks and everything.

After all of that, it seems ridiculous to give money to a complete stranger, hoping they return, hoping they buy the cigars and hoping they get the right cigars, just to save a few dollars.

Any good options for public transportation from Sosua / BB to PUJ? Taxi would be quite expensive as it is 5 hours drive. I don't want to rent a car in DR, so please advise.

Thanks!

Sam

I was told by a Bavaro hotel employee that Higuey was the 3rd largest city in DR but that is not true as it is actually the 9th largest city with over 100,000 population. I stand corrected and should have checked the internet.

I have not actually done this, but in my research I see you can take a bus from Sosua to Santo Domingo (Metro or Caribe Tours), and then Expreso Bavaro from Santo Domingo to Bavaro.

I'm told Metro from Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata is under US $10. About RD $750. It's 4-5 hours from Sosua to Santo Domingo and about 3 from Santo Domingo to Bavaro.

You'll need to get from one bus station to the other since it doesn't look like they're close by each other. Of course you'll also need to get from the bus station to your final destination.

Hope that is of some value.

[URL]http://www.expresobavaro.com/index.php[/URL]

[URL]http://www.caribetours.com.do/site/portada/[/URL]

[URL]http://metroserviciosturisticos.com/[/URL]

[QUOTE=PitrSam1;1743486]Any good options for public transportation from Sosua / BB to PUJ? Taxi would be quite expensive as it is 5 hours drive. I don't want to rent a car in DR, so please advise.

Thanks!

Sam[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PitrSam1;1743486]Any good options for public transportation from Sosua / BB to PUJ? Taxi would be quite expensive as it is 5 hours drive. I don't want to rent a car in DR, so please advise.

Thanks!

Sam[/QUOTE]You can catch either Metro or Caribe in Puerto Plata or Sosua to go to Santo Domingo. Cost is about 360 pesos and depending on which bus and where you get on, 3 to 5 hours. I think there are 2 buses that run Santo Domingo to Bavaro, but I don't have any info on them. Probably 2. 5 to 3 hour trip.

I've done Metro fro. SD to Sosua and Caribe from Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo. Buses are clean and comfortable. It will take you all day to make the trip. Of course there is a slight chance someone will try to pick you up on the bus. Happened to me on the Astrapu bus from San Pedro to Santo Domingo. I declined, didn't want to get off in a strange neighborhood with a strange girl.

My GF and I are heading to Punta Cana. She doesn't mind if I bang some DR ladies. Can anyone name a Hotel there with pool that allows a girl or two to visit the room? Thanks. Lonely.

Any reviews of G Spot VIP Gentleman Club? According to google map, its next to Steves bar / Hotel Flamboyan. I'm with my SO so my time to "disappear" is limited but I want to get in on the DR action. There's also a Bikini Wash behind Flamboyan but I don't see anything there.

I haven't been to Punta Cana or Higuey in a few years. The last time I was there was in 2008. What are the changes in those area. What should I be looking out for. I will be renting a condo during my stay there. I see the resorts have gone way up since the last time I was there. I am not going to monger as much this time, just want a little rest and relaxation. Who's got the info?

[QUOTE=Osanhopps;1837307]I haven't been to Punta Cana or Higuey in a few years. The last time I was there was in 2008. What are the changes in those area. What should I be looking out for. I will be renting a condo during my stay there. I see the resorts have gone way up since the last time I was there. I am not going to monger as much this time, just want a little rest and relaxation. Who's got the info?[/QUOTE]I would recommend the Blue Nightclub. Mots taxi drivers know about it. Go late afternoon when it is dead you have you pick of girls and can negotiate. Evenings can be much busier.

[QUOTE=YellowPaul;1837583]I would recommend the Blue Nightclub. Mots taxi drivers know about it. Go late afternoon when it is dead you have you pick of girls and can negotiate. Evenings can be much busier.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the info brother!

I sure could use some help with this, not from the local press but from you who are actually in PC. If I rent an apartment for a long term stay can I expect to get decent wired Internet? As in 4 MB minimum. And will I be able to have 3 g /4 g backup? Thanks to those of you are 'on the ground'.

I was wondering if anyone had a ball-park distance from the beach-resort area to the Blue Light lounge? I'm having trouble getting a consistent address for the Blue Light. I'm assuming it's taxi-distance, not foot distance?

[QUOTE=Vancan;1945876]I was wondering if anyone had a ball-park distance from the beach-resort area to the Blue Light lounge? I'm having trouble getting a consistent address for the Blue Light. I'm assuming it's taxi-distance, not foot distance?[/QUOTE]If you are staying at a resort along the beach such as in Bavaro or El Corticito then Blue Lights is about a 20 minute taxi ride away. Since I always rent a car when visiting I'll make an assumption that most taxi drivers know how to get to it. Its not hard to find since they have a billboard sign sort of, along the main road that runs thru the area pointing you to the turn. While in PC you might also want to check out Lady Factory, another Blue Lights type place. Both of these places are more brothel than strip club and way over priced with prices starting at around $150 for an hour, but the girls are usually 9's and 10's but you can usually negotiate them down to about half that. If you want normal pricing say around the $30 or $40 range then hang out on the beach especially in El Corticito or over at Bibijagua beach bar or if brave go into Fruisa. If you want more Dominican pricing then go over to the city of Higuey.

[QUOTE=UrbanGuest;1946645]If you are staying at a resort along the beach such as in Bavaro or El Corticito then Blue Lights is about a 20 minute taxi ride away. Since I always rent a car when visiting I'll make an assumption that most taxi drivers know how to get to it. Its not hard to find since they have a billboard sign sort of, along the main road that runs thru the area pointing you to the turn. While in PC you might also want to check out Lady Factory, another Blue Lights type place. Both of these places are more brothel than strip club and way over priced with prices starting at around $150 for an hour, but the girls are usually 9's and 10's but you can usually negotiate them down to about half that. If you want normal pricing say around the $30 or $40 range then hang out on the beach especially in El Corticito or over at Bibijagua beach bar or if brave go into Fruisa. If you want more Dominican pricing then go over to the city of Higuey.[/QUOTE]Thanks UrbanGuest for the info and recommendations. Travelling with non-hobby friends so only looking for a quick afternoon away; sounds doable!