Santo Domingo

There is an easy way to prevent getting your wallet picked. Never let women close enough to touch your private parts when you are in outdoors. Women who try to do it are often up to no good. Dominican are generally very shy about public displays of affection, unless they are professional thieves.

[QUOTE=Eszpresszo;1997861]You can find that stuff for a small fraction of those prices on Ebay. I had a very nice money belt given to me. It was "regifted" for some reason and wore it out because I wore it regularly instead of just for mongering trips.

I found a cheaper one on Ebay and wore it to Thailand recently. These types of things may not last as long as those expensive belts, but most of us don't need to stash money away when we are not on vacation.

Here is a good source for economical money belts:

[URL]https://www.beltoutlet.com/collections/travel-security[/URL]

Another option: stash money under the soles of your shoes. I wear cushioned insoles when I travel, just to spare my feet from the sudden amount of walking that I do. Those can be easily taken in and out. When I got to Medellin last Spring, there was no safe in my hotel room. So, I found the most field expedient stash to be under my insoles. Just don't lose your shoes!

Another option that is very 3rd world if you have access to someone with sewing skills. Sew the money in a stash inside your pants. I met a Brazilian guy who told me a story about his first visit to the US. His mother insisted on sewing his money inside his slacks, via a special pocket in the pants. But she also sewed sewed it completely closed, so you he needed scissors or a knife to remove the stitches and get the money out. When he got to immigration, they asked if he could show funds to cover the duration of his stay. He told the officer they were inside his pants and he couldn't remove the money without taking off his pants. He is promptly taken aside to a room with a few immigration officers, where he needs to remove his pants. For obvious reasons, they wouldn't give him a knife but they gave him some scissors, with which he was able to remove the cash. The officers were amazed by this, but satisfied and they left him go. Next visit, he did not let his mother near his cash. However, it does make me wonder if a special hidden pants pocket, with a bottom flap or velcro patch to close it up would be a good idea. Just don't lose your pants![/QUOTE]

Same girl who behind close door will lick every part of you body will be hard press to give you a hug in public. It is just there culture.

[QUOTE=Knowledge;1998034]There is an easy way to prevent getting your wallet picked. Never let women close enough to touch your private parts when you are in outdoors. Women who try to do it are often up to no good. Dominican are generally very shy about public displays of affection, unless they are professional thieves.[/QUOTE]

Anyone know the most economical way to get from Las Americas airport to Metro bus station in Downtown Santo Domingo. Do I have any options other than a taxi.

Thanks.

[QUOTE=OldKool;1998273]Same girl who behind close door will lick every part of you body will be hard press to give you a hug in public. It is just there culture.[/QUOTE]I don't think this is part of the culture. Dominican girlfriends will hug their men and other women in public. What you are seeing is a reluctance to publicly admit they are in a sexual relationship with an older foreigner because it marks them as probably prostitutes.

Uber.

Uber now accepts cash in Santo Domingo.

[QUOTE=CooleMr;1998286]Anyone know the most economical way to get from Las Americas airport to Metro bus station in Downtown Santo Domingo. Do I have any options other than a taxi.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

You are correct about public displays of affection with friends and lovers. I was referring to women who grab at your dick in public or hug you when they met you five minutes ago.

[QUOTE=Frannie;1998301]I don't think this is part of the culture. Dominican girlfriends will hug their men and other women in public. What you are seeing is a reluctance to publicly admit they are in a sexual relationship with an older foreigner because it marks them as probably prostitutes.[/QUOTE]

There is a publico in the drop off area of the airport upstairs. Locals who work at the airport use them to get back and forward. Go upstairs and exit to the left. There is currency exchange that give excellent rates upstairs. While downstairs you can buy or get minutes for any DR phone you have. The van is usually about 50 yards back. The cost is a 100 pesos to go to downtown SD. At the last stop are cabs that will take you to metro or Caribe for 300 pesos. The van has no signs so you got be observant. I feel like I am stealing when I use it.

[QUOTE=CooleMr;1998286]Anyone know the most economical way to get from Las Americas airport to Metro bus station in Downtown Santo Domingo. Do I have any options other than a taxi.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Request for info. What venues are in operation in SD?

I've been past most establishments in maps / listed here and various site and found only Roxy (next to Nepolitano), Foxy's, Oasis and Teresa to be in operation.

Any insights would help.

Thanks.

[QUOTE=OldKool;1998583]There is a publico in the drop off area of the airport upstairs. Locals who work at the airport use them to get back and forward. Go upstairs and exit to the left. There is currency exchange that give excellent rates upstairs. While downstairs you can buy or get minutes for any DR phone you have. The van is usually about 50 yards back. The cost is a 100 pesos to go to downtown SD. At the last stop are cabs that will take you to metro or Caribe for 300 pesos. The van has no signs so you got be observant. I feel like I am stealing when I use it.[/QUOTE]I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.

[QUOTE=Ozzie1451;1998701]I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.[/QUOTE]Good advice, Ozzie. Please email me as my phone is malfunctioning.

Just take an uber. It will cost 1200 to 1500 pesos from the airport to Metro on Churchill or Caribe Tour on 27 Feb. Anyone who is sweating 1,000 pesos should skip a trip and save enough so it won't matter. It's basically safe to use the van but not as safe as a private car with a driver whose ID and photo you have in advance. I don't know why anyone would get in the van with luggage and possibly a lot of cash.

[QUOTE=Ozzie1451;1998701]I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Knowledge;1998977]Just take an uber. It will cost 1200 to 1500 pesos from the airport to Metro on Churchill or Caribe Tour on 27 Feb. Anyone who is sweating 1,000 pesos should skip a trip and save enough so it won't matter. It's basically safe to use the van but not as safe as a private car with a driver whose ID and photo you have in advance. I don't know why anyone would get in the van with luggage and possibly a lot of cash.[/QUOTE]Is there an issue with an Uber driver picking you up at the airport. Taxi driver resentment? Where do you tell the Uber driver to pick you up? Should I get in the front seat, so the taxistas won't know it is an Uber driver?

One other transportation question: Are there any busses from the airport directly up to Santiago, or do I have to go all the way into downtown SD to get a bus? I see that there is a bus station in Santo Domingo Este, but it is probably too risky for a gringo to use that station--right?

I stay in the colonal zone and the last stop s a short distance away and there are cabs waiting where you get out. I enjoy the ride and the feel of local flavor. The 1000 pesos I save puts me in a good mood.

[QUOTE=Ozzie1451;1998701]I took the van once when I had time and was curious about it. The location of last stop is very inconvenient. I took a cab but it took some time to find one. One American passenger offered extra money to van driver to take him to his hotel after last stop. I would strongly suggest to do the same and offer driver extra money to take you to Metro or Caribe.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=OldKool;1999463]I stay in the colonal zone and the last stop s a short distance away and there are cabs waiting where you get out. I enjoy the ride and the feel of local flavor. The 1000 pesos I save puts me in a good mood.[/QUOTE]What about the fact (which others have pointed out) that one will likely be the only gringo on the van, and that you will be arriving with all your luggage and cash and credit cards?

I love taking public transportation in cities (and saving the money, too), but I did not do it during my one previous visit to SD last year. How would you rate the overall safety (and extra time) for a tall blue-eyed "obvious" gringo?

If my AirBnB rental is in Gazcue or Naco would it still make sense to take the van vs. an Uber? Or, would I get ripped off by the taxistas waiting for me at the end of the line, if I need to take one to another neighborhood?

I was treated very well by everyone in the vans. The taxi at the end saw few gringos so had no gringo game to play. I am black American so no blue eyes. I make about 4 trips a year so I budget myself when I can. At most it may take 30 minutes more time but adds a feel I like. If I were a blue eyed guy maybe I would feel different. We all have to do what works for us personally. Over all SD is not a dangerous city if you use common sense.

[QUOTE=RobbyBurns;1999600]What about the fact (which others have pointed out) that one will likely be the only gringo on the van, and that you will be arriving with all your luggage and cash and credit cards?

I love taking public transportation in cities (and saving the money, too), but I did not do it during my one previous visit to SD last year. How would you rate the overall safety (and extra time) for a tall blue-eyed "obvious" gringo?

If my AirBnB rental is in Gazcue or Naco would it still make sense to take the van vs. an Uber? Or, would I get ripped off by the taxistas waiting for me at the end of the line, if I need to take one to another neighborhood?[/QUOTE]