Sosua Reports

[Frannie]

The word has been out for a long time about Sosua. At least since ISG made it one of the busiest boards in their forums, many years ago.

When I first went there 9 years ago, I couldn't believe so many part timers and semi pro hookers in one spot at the same time!

There's no shortage of hooker destinations in the world, but fresh, semi pros, newbies and part timers, where nobody thinks twice about an old 80 year old fart with a 20 year old beauty walking hand in hand back to the New Garden, not so much!

Nothing new here, move along citizen!

Every year, in the slow season, folks (who mostly don't even go there) predict the demise of our Hooker Paradise.

Seems they just can't help themselves.

These lines which you quoted me as saying were inserted and were not part of my post:

There should be no doubt about Sosua's raison d etre. Even my NA nieces smile conspiratorially, when they ask when's my next trip down there. Those who don't know Sosua's reputation haven't travelled.

The vast majority of people don't even know where the DR is or that it shares an island with Haiti. My own niece actually announced that she would be visiting the Dominican Republic on a cruise ship a couple of years ago, but then had to back track and admit that it was Dominica, not the Dominican Republic. Most people don't even know there are two places with similar names in the Caribbean.

The number of people other than those who are interested in reading about sex tourism who read ISG or have heard of ISG is miniscule. Of course if you Google Sosua, you will probably find racy pictures and videos, but the first time I went to the DR, I don't think I had even heard of Sosua.

[Oakie]

That is a bit of an exaggeration. There are several schools in the town educating hundreds of children, churches, a hospital, supermarkets full of people who are not mongers, a military base close by, s couple of all-inclusive resorts, and so on. By no means all the locals derive their income from prostitution-related travel, although I would agree that sex tourism and retirement homes are the twin pillars of the local economy, bringing in a lot of foreign currency, and that there is some overlap between the two.

I have seen some times when the town seems to be full of crowds, but these usually occasions like Superbowl Weekend or Holy Week, when huge numbers of Dominicans seem to be bused in for religious revivals where participants can safely catch a sniff of sin in the air.

There should be no doubt about Sosua's raison d etre. Even my NA nieces smile conspiratorially, when they ask when's my next trip down there. Those who don't know Sosua's reputation haven't travelled.

I think prostitution has shot itself in the foot in Sosua by being insufficiently discreet. If it appears to most people that single male visitors are meeting attractive young Dominican women in the disco late and night for vacation romances, then no one is too bothered, but when there are open bars packed with young women showing a lot of flesh and women grabbing men's arms on the streets, then it is all a bit obvious. There has also been a tendency in recent years for male visitors to show a lack of discretion about the main purpose for their travel. For example men I have spoken to on flights in and out of the DR hardly bother to disguise their true purpose at all, asking questions about where to buy Viagra and so on from complete strangers like me on the plane who have not indicated any interest in the sex scene.

The word has been out for a long time about Sosua. At least since ISG made it one of the busiest boards in their forums, many years ago.

When I first went there 9 years ago, I couldn't believe so many part timers and semi pro hookers in one spot at the same time!

There's no shortage of hooker destinations in the world, but fresh, semi pros, newbies and part timers, where nobody thinks twice about an old 80 year old fart with a 20 year old beauty walking hand in hand back to the New Garden, not so much!

Nothing new here, move along citizen!

Every year, in the slow season, folks (who mostly don't even go there) predict the demise of our Hooker Paradise.

Seems they just can't help themselves.

[Frannie]

A whole town built around prostitution.

That is a bit of an exaggeration. There are several schools in the town educating hundreds of children, churches, a hospital, supermarkets full of people who are not mongers, a military base close by, s couple of all-inclusive resorts, and so on. By no means all the locals derive their income from prostitution-related travel, although I would agree that sex tourism and retirement homes are the twin pillars of the local economy, bringing in a lot of foreign currency, and that there is some overlap between the two.

I have seen some times when the town seems to be full of crowds, but these usually occasions like Superbowl Weekend or Holy Week, when huge numbers of Dominicans seem to be bused in for religious revivals where participants can safely catch a sniff of sin in the air.

I think prostitution has shot itself in the foot in Sosua by being insufficiently discreet. If it appears to most people that single male visitors are meeting attractive young Dominican women in the disco late and night for vacation romances, then no one is too bothered, but when there are open bars packed with young women showing a lot of flesh and women grabbing men's arms on the streets, then it is all a bit obvious. There has also been a tendency in recent years for male visitors to show a lack of discretion about the main purpose for their travel. For example men I have spoken to on flights in and out of the DR hardly bother to disguise their true purpose at all, asking questions about where to buy Viagra and so on from complete strangers like me on the plane who have not indicated any interest in the sex scene.

[Oakie]

You say the craziest stuff. Pattaya was built around prostitution when the servicemen would go there for R&R during the Vietnam War. Today there are literally hundreds of bars and clubs and massage parlors that you can get a chick from to fuck or fuck them on premises.

The only prostitution you see in Sosua is generally by a handfull of freelancers on half a block of the entire town. If mongers stopped going to Sosua tomorrow, the only ones that would suffer would be two hotels, two restaurants, and two bars.

YMMV, obviously

[Mr Enternational]

A whole town built around prostitution.

You say the craziest stuff. Pattaya was built around prostitution when the servicemen would go there for R&R during the Vietnam War. Today there are literally hundreds of bars and clubs and massage parlors that you can get a chick from to fuck or fuck them on premises.

The only prostitution you see in Sosua is generally by a handfull of freelancers on half a block of the entire town. If mongers stopped going to Sosua tomorrow, the only ones that would suffer would be two hotels, two restaurants, and two bars.

[OldKool]

Last month I was eating at Sinatras with the owner who has lived in Sosua for over 15 years. He described a Sosua that had many 100's of girls and very crowded streets that very impossible to walk through the crowds. These where monger tourists. The guys were a very diverse group from all over the world. It was his opinion that Sosua is a shadow of its former glory. It appears that Sosua was has long been a monger magnet. Replacing its infrastructure will not be easy. A whole town built around prostitution.

Good report I agree with your prediction.

[GrownMan1]

I've been in Sosua for a couple days. Its not my first visit. Sousa as we know it is going to die a slow death only to resurface in another Dominican city over time. So goes the circle of life.

Simon.

Good report I agree with your prediction.

[Simon Says]

I've been in Sosua for a couple days. Its not my first visit. The first time being four years ago the second was 2 years ago, and this would be my third visit. Sosua is alive and well although it is certainly different. All of the action has moved to the opposite side of the street from Rumbas and Dlatins. There are still lots of chicas here working. Most work out of Classicos and the disco upstairs, but you can find them spread throughout all the little bars and restaurants including several at City Lights (an otherwise inconsequential bar in my previous visits). Its not as easy as shooting fish in a barrel anymore. There's a little more legwork involved. Rumor has it Rumbas may open later this week. Who the fuck knows.

Everything closes at 12 o'clock Sunday through Thursday although the casino is a good option after midnight. Lots of action on Saturday with female options to suite every taste. Although I miss sitting along the edge of Rumbas and watching the best Sosua has to offer walk by in all its spandex glory.

The biggest difference I noticed is most of the old white the guys that were prevalent in my previous visits have been outnumbered by large young black guys. It's a like every collegiate football team was released here all at the one time. I didn't see any of the drama that has been previously mentioned on this board from either the old white guys or young black guys. Seemed like everybody was chilling. The girls don't seem to care either way. Pesos are pesos.

If you are considering cancelling your trip to Sosua because of all the latest news. Don't. There is still lots of action here. Some of the girls still look smoking hot. Some of the girls still look fucking crazy. Some things will never change.

Another significant difference is the number of new high end condo developments being built along the oceanfront. These are obviously geared towards families and not Mongers. I believe (although I'm hardly an expert) this is the reason why there is a crackdown on working and girls in the city. Slowly but surely I believe the country / city wants to turn this into a sister resort to Cabrete. There is significant dollars being spent in development and the city wouldn't want those investment dollars being scared away by lured tales of prostitution. There is nothing more awkward to watch than a family, or young couple, trying to navigate their way down the street though hordes of working chicas as they realize this was not the typical beach resort they were expecting. Sousa as we know it is going to die a slow death only to resurface in another Dominican city over time. So goes the circle of life.

Simon.

[Frannie]

There's always a first time.

That machine was my go to for years. It was often out of cash on weekends, so I got a lot of "cannot process your request", or "transaction declined". Then I found out it was charging my account with the initial amount requested.

Took a lot of time to deal with that. Than a few months ago, thinking that was just an anomaly (ScotiaBank has a good record in the DR) I tried it again. "Card declined" I needed money fast so I tried my other card, and sure enough no cash but deductions from my bank account!

Buyer beware!

I had that problem just one time with the Scotia Bank ATM in Puerto Plata. I think it was empty, and it just churned for ages, and then I aborted the transaction, and found I was charged 10,000 pesos for it, but I got the money refunded fairly quickly. I think I had to send a fax somewhere regarding the transaction. As I said before, I think Banco Popular is the best option, but Scotia Bank seems to be about the second best. There used to be a Scotia Bank branch in Sosua just behind the Hotel Europa, with an ATM on the wall, but then that bank closed and they moved the ATM to the Metro Bus terminal, with the closest Scotia Bank then being found in Cabarete. I imagine that is the reason why it is not stocked as often as before and runs out of cash. That and being the closest ATM to the downtown chica bars.

[Oakie]

I have used that one quite a few times and not had a problem, .

There's always a first time.

That machine was my go to for years. It was often out of cash on weekends, so I got a lot of "cannot process your request", or "transaction declined". Then I found out it was charging my account with the initial amount requested.

Took a lot of time to deal with that. Than a few months ago, thinking that was just an anomaly (ScotiaBank has a good record in the DR) I tried it again. "Card declined" I needed money fast so I tried my other card, and sure enough no cash but deductions from my bank account!

Buyer beware!

[Charles Pooter]

I did this to meet some friends arriving after I did. I went to the taxi stand, told him that I wanted to go to the airport. Bought out the whole car, and he dropped me off at the toll booth. They can't go any further than that. Saved a few steps from being dropped off at hwy 5.

Actually 800 metres. Makes a difference if you have baggage.

[Charles Pooter]

That is what I do if I am traveling solo but sometimes I am traveling with one of my favorita's and her son in which case I just take the entire car.

Flash git! In that case just pay for the whole back seat (200 pesos).

[ReadyToGetOnIt]

Thanks for the info. The carro publico will take you all the way to the airport I assume? They don't try to just dump you off at "the 5 & airport drive" do they?

I did this to meet some friends arriving after I did. I went to the taxi stand, told him that I wanted to go to the airport. Bought out the whole car, and he dropped me off at the toll booth. They can't go any further than that. Saved a few steps from being dropped off at hwy 5.

[Manizales911]

450 last time I dd so two years ago, so 550 now sounds about right.

A cheaper alternative is just to buy both front seats for 100 pesos. I always do that.

That is what I do if I am traveling solo but sometimes I am traveling with one of my favorita's and her son in which case I just take the entire car.

[StripperMan]

450 last time I dd so two years ago, so 550 now sounds about right.

A cheaper alternative is just to buy both front seats for 100 pesos. I always do that.

Yes you can do it but it is not 300 pesos, it's more like 550 if I remember correctly.

Thanks for the info. The carro publico will take you all the way to the airport I assume? They don't try to just dump you off at "the 5 & airport drive" do they?