Printable View
[QUOTE=Cestme;2525198]Hey Trip, it's obviously evident that Africa, Kenya or Uganda if I am not mistaken, is in your rearview mirror. Such a delight to see that you are having such a good time![/QUOTE]By the way, since you are in SD, could you please update us, as of 1/26, as to how covid testing for US bound passengers is going on?
[QUOTE=Cestme;2525243]By the way, since you are in SD, could you please update us, as of 1/26, as to how covid testing for US bound passengers is going on?[/QUOTE]I haven't taken a test or got the vaccine if you're on the island they'll give you a test you'll need one to re enter the states.
[QUOTE=Cestme;2525198]Hey Trip, it's obviously evident that Africa, Kenya or Uganda, if I am not mistaken, is in your review mirror. Such a delight to notice![/QUOTE]I'm committed to hitting South America then Europe then Africa then Asia.
Trip.
[QUOTE=Questner;2519647]At Elvis2008 Well, I can tell the difference, and the best prices / quality for wine now is Argentina, any alcoholic paradise. I found prices in Paraguay for quality goods actually higher than in North America.[/QUOTE]Hmmm. Used to be the same rutini or Luigi bosca you could buy in BA was less expensive in Miami. The peso must be in the toilet.
[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2519497]My brother spent two years traveling all over the world convinced there was better out there. He finally came back to the USA. He tried doing the internet thing and working abroad and getting USA wages but there were things that were just too expensive in other countries.
You have probably seen this post before about wine and cost, but I will share it so everyone can read it: [URL]https://freakonomics.com/2008/07/16/cheap-wine/[/URL].
I am not sure things are cheaper in the USA as much as the cheap stuff is better organized. I have gotten great deals from street vendors in Mexico for example, but you just never know when they will be where.
As for booze, the best prices I have seen have been in Mexican border towns and in the USA Virgin islands and not the duty free shops. I have laughed at how expensive shit is there.
If I were a drinker, I would get an empty bottle of Patron and fill it with the tequila they sell in a border town for $5 a gallon and see if anyone could tell the difference. I bet no one would.
But the main reason for the variance in cost is taxes, and the USA was trying to do as much free trade as it could in the past. So the appliances we bought that are made in China are 50% cheaper than a lot of places that have high tariffs like Brazil.
The reason people in Argentina and Brazil flock to Paraguay is that they just have a flat 10% import tax. To me then, Paraguay is an interesting place: really hot and cheap women, an aquifer with double the water of the great lucks, a hydroelectric energy surplus, low cost goods, and low cost of living. Besides being hard to get to, the other real problem with Paraguay is that it is boring as fuck.[/QUOTE]Ciudad del este borders Brasil and Argentina. Gray market is huge. I stayed on Brasil side at really nice hotel across from fox. Took a taxi to Paraguay and the driver said he used to buy electronics in Paraguay and then sell them to stores in Brasil. He would buy 20,000 worth of stuff and make huge profits. He said 1 out of 5-8 trips he would get caught and the cops would just take all his product. I asked why he was no longer doing it. Getting popped was factored into his expenses. I asked why he stopped and is driving a taxi. He said he got caught twice in a row and there went his cash tu buy product.
There was a guy in the crappy flea market place that did $7,000,000 per month in Nikon digital cameras. Last I heard they were buying up land and planting eucalyptus trees.
Paraguay is whacky. Asunciķand was actually cool and very cheap. Decent food at great prices etc.
[QUOTE=TallDarkUsa;2519025]Has anyone traveled to the DR in 2021 yet. This would be my first trip and I have been wanting to go for awhile now. Are there any restrictions? What is the average price for street girls and also working girls. Best city for mongering while also being safe. Thanks in advance for the info![/QUOTE]Here is a link to a site that is regularly updated that explains restrictions just about everywhere: [URL]https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html[/URL].
[QUOTE=TripleDarknes;2525251]I haven't taken a test or got the vaccine if you're on the island they'll give you a test you'll need one to re enter the states.[/QUOTE]Just got back today from the DR after 8 well deserved time off days in Santo Domingo. Arrived SDQ on 1/30, breezed through and out of the airport seamlessly and, except for the walk through temperature check, there were no other Covid-19 related controls. Equally easy boarding my flight back today. Had the Antigen test for 1,995 pesos, (approx. $34) taken at Amadita Lab on Friday and had the electronic results sent to my phone in less than 3 hours. I went back to the lab and collected the paper report that I presented at the airport today. You can still use the automated boarding pass printer at the airport but only after verification of the negative covid test results and clearance by the airline agent. You can not print a boarding pass from home or anywhere else. Don't let these covid related restrictive conditions scare you off the abundance of the wonderful times still to be had in the DR. By the way, on my return to the US, no one mentioned anything to me about having to quarantine.
Did you have to make an appointment for your test at Amadita? Which Amadita location did you use?
[QUOTE=Cestme;2529346]Just got back today from the DR after 8 well deserved time off days in Santo Domingo. Arrived SDQ on 1/30, breezed through and out of the airport seamlessly and, except for the walk through temperature check, there were no other Covid-19 related controls. Equally easy boarding my flight back today. Had the Antigen test for 1,995 pesos, (approx. $34) taken at Amadita Lab on Friday and had the electronic results sent to my phone in less than 3 hours. I went back to the lab and collected the paper report that I presented at the airport today. You can still use the automated boarding pass printer at the airport but only after verification of the negative covid test results and clearance by the airline agent. You can not print a boarding pass from home or anywhere else. Don't let these covid related restrictive conditions scare you off the abundance of the wonderful times still to be had in the DR. By the way, on my return to the US, no one mentioned anything to me about having to quarantine.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Knowledge;2529371]Did you have to make an appointment for your test at Amadita? Which Amadita location did you use?[/QUOTE]Hey Knowledge, I downloaded Amadita's apps, which can be googled. You can also send a text or WhatsApp message at 1809 682 5414 and get back a link that will take you to their apps. The apps is user friendly that enables you to create your account, select the test center of your choice, and pay for the (Antigen for Travel) test. After the online payment, I took Uber to Amadita's main lab at Calle Abelardo Rodriguez Urlaneta, No 102, Gazcue, showed my payment and got my sample for the test collected. It's a 24 hour a day lab. They have a good customer service, given my limited spoken Spanish and nobody with more than a couple of words in English. But they were all wanting to help and, the young nurses, all females, couldn't have been any nicer; 3 of them tried too hard to stand out for being the best understanding my needs. Have I not already had more than 4 chicas lined-up for late Friday and Saturday, I would have asked for their numbers. Try your hand with them, if you ever get to use this Amadita center.
Hi Cestme. Thank you for the in depth report regarding the covid test that Is necessary for travel back to the U. S. You mentioned in your earlier report that you returned to the lab for the written copy of the report. Is that necessary for boarding or is the report that was sent to your phone sufficient. Thanks, Sailor02.
[QUOTE=Sailor02;2529852]Hi Cestme. Thank you for the in depth report regarding the covid test that Is necessary for travel back to the U. S. You mentioned in your earlier report that you returned to the lab for the written copy of the report. Is that necessary for boarding or is the report that was sent to your phone sufficient. Thanks, Sailor02.[/QUOTE]Hey Sailors, I am sure the electronic report would have made it through to boarding. But I remember the young ladies who collected the test sample asking me to come back for the physical report. I suspect it was their way of guaranteeing a 100% tight, boarding assurance and, a roughly $3 uber round trip, was a negligible expense for me.
Hello folks,
I am visiting DR by Feb. End. I heard there is curfew after 7 pm Monday through Friday. Is it strictly followed? How to spend time after 7 at night with no party and bars.
[QUOTE=LittlePete;2530263]Hello folks,
I am visiting DR by Feb. End. I heard there is curfew after 7 pm Monday through Friday. Is it strictly followed? How to spend time after 7 at night with no party and bars.[/QUOTE]Very strictly enforced. I have been to Santo Domingo three times since the curfew started. They curfew is at 7 but they give you three hours afterwards to travel. So there is not problem getting where you need to go by vehicle during these hours, but once the time hits, curfew is enforced. Remember all restaurants close by curfew time at 7 and discos are still closed. There are some outdoor cafes that served alcohol that are open. YouTube toque de queda in Dominican Republic and you will see all the arrests during the curfew. New Years weekend the curfew was 12 in the afternoon because of the reckless partying during Christmas. It lasted for two weekends.
[QUOTE=Cestme;2529600]Hey Knowledge, I downloaded Amadita's apps, which can be googled. You can also send a text or WhatsApp message at 1809 682 5414 and get back a link that will take you to their apps. The apps is user friendly that enables you to create your account, select the test center of your choice, and pay for the (Antigen for Travel) test. After the online payment, I took Uber to Amadita's main lab at Calle Abelardo Rodriguez Urlaneta, No 102, Gazcue, showed my payment and got my sample for the test collected. It's a 24 hour a day lab. They have a good customer service, given my limited spoken Spanish and nobody with more than a couple of words in English. But they were all wanting to help and, the young nurses, all females, couldn't have been any nicer; 3 of them tried too hard to stand out for being the best understanding my needs. Have I not already had more than 4 chicas lined-up for late Friday and Saturday, I would have asked for their numbers. Try your hand with them, if you ever get to use this Amadita center.[/QUOTE]Great info. Thanks. I live a few blocks from an amadita's so if I should need a test, will head there.
Not earth shattering info, but a while back I saw a post saying outback Santo Domingo was permanently closed. A few weeks back I made killer hot wings but wanted to order fries or similar delivery to save time. Outback was in the delivery app. Ordered blooming onion and maybe 20 minutes later it was delivered. GF and kids loved it, as most Dominicans dig anything new and "exotic" to them. They loved HRC last Sunday as well. Kids eat free sundays, so may be a semi regular deal.
For Starbucks fans the second Starbucks in SDQ appears to be where the bar and terrace was in outback. I did not enter either of them but it appears outback remodeled and downsized and Starbucks moved in. I am not a Starbucks guy but between downtown and acropolis you fans should be covered.
Was also surprised to find my fave piano bar was open. Decided to drive by when another bar was closed. Have not been in maybe two years. My old fave waitress met me in street though with a new lesbianish look. All good. Beer was ice cold. No dimes but some decent Dominicana's and venezolanas and good service. Not a casa, though I do not doubt deals are cut for after hours etc. May be worth checking other bars in the afternoon. This place opens at noon when they used to open at 4 PM. Good to know if I get bored.
Also espiral had a live band doing Marley tunes on Bob's Bday. They opened 11 am and closed 5 PM. Was great to get out and see some live music.
I may have to do more exploring when I have a slow work day and see what else is out there with modified hours etc.