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Fellas,
Coming to the DR at the end of January. Since my flight is not cheap, I wanted to make my stay longer than a few days. I am going to stay a minimum of six nights.
How realistic is a 3 day trip to Santo Domingo or even Santiago? I don't want to spend all my time in Sosua because of a fear of boredom after the wild weekend.
Also, are there any worthwhile activities outside of mongering?
[QUOTE=Jaosousa]You got big balls hanging out in that joint. Walking by it was enough for me. Not sure how the owners of the other establishments on this street will tolerate that bar Flow. I would suspect the Germans who hang out outside the cigar shop aren't happy.[/QUOTE]Just got word that some of the guntoting fools in el flow are off duty cops.
I prefere classicos where you check your pistol with your baseball hat.
[QUOTE=Always Horny #2]Fellas,
Coming to the DR at the end of January. Since my flight is not cheap, I wanted to make my stay longer than a few days. I am going to stay a minimum of six nights.
How realistic is a 3 day trip to Santo Domingo or even Santiago? I don't want to spend all my time in Sosua because of a fear of boredom after the wild weekend.
Also, are there any worthwhile activities outside of mongering?[/QUOTE]I would say that splitting your trip between two towns/cities is a good idea. I would start out in whatever other city you want to go to, then end up in Sosua since that is where you're flying in/out of. That way, there's less things to go wrong in your trip back to the airport (easier to get there from Sosua than Santo Domingo). Of course, if a weekend is involved, I'd definitely be in Sosua for that. Also, you may want to split between Sosua and Puerto Plata for a first trip; I'd say going to Santiago is an advanced-level DR trip and Santo Domingo is probably best enjoyed with a wing man and only if you've got alot of extra money to blow! Just my 2 cents!
Rodeo
[QUOTE=Always Horny #2]Fellas,
Coming to the DR at the end of January. Since my flight is not cheap, I wanted to make my stay longer than a few days. I am going to stay a minimum of six nights.
How realistic is a 3 day trip to Santo Domingo or even Santiago? I don't want to spend all my time in Sosua because of a fear of boredom after the wild weekend.
Also, are there any worthwhile activities outside of mongering?[/QUOTE]
I never have heard of one weekend making someone bored in Sosua, especially if you are new. There is plenty to do and plenty of guys hanging around to do it with. Also, there really isn't a huge distinction between the weekend and the weekdays.
There are all kinds of tourist things to do in the DR it is just that most mongers have a one track mind. For a partial list...
Golfing is great
The beach
Windsurfing in Cabarette
Horseback riding in Cabarette on the beach
White water rafting in La Vega(surprising good)
Casinos
Mountain Bike Riding
Scuba diving (not so hot)
Driving thru the countryside
There are more.
Has anyone ever been fishing in north coast at all for local fish?
Not like Marlin or anything like that.
Being I work on a boat the last thing I would want to do on vacation would be get on an other one. However a couple of friends of mine chartered a boat out of PP for a full day. They got a boat ride out of it and that was all. Not even a strike. There are fish in the area as they are plentiful amongst the locals but this is the only time I know of anybody going fishing on the north coast. Dolphin (or Mahi Mahi to be politically correct) should be around in the winter time.
[QUOTE=Bkgee]Has anyone ever been fishing in north coast at all for local fish?
Not like Marlin or anything like that.[/QUOTE]
I have fished twice out of Puerto Plata. The first time a local hooked me up with another local who took me trolling off the PP beach in a small boat and we caught several small fish. A few were small yellow fin tuna, and the others I don't recall the names of. They tasted good later when they were fried up, along with several Presidentes.
I also did the charter trip with a couple of friends and, as Beavis alluded to in his post, it was nothing but an expensive boat ride. Not so much as a bite the whole day. There was another group that went out and returned the same time as we did and, apparently fared no better than we did. Don't waste one peso on the charters.
If you're that adamant about getting some fishing in, go to Sam's Bar in PP and ask for Joanne. Ask if her boyfriend can hook you up with his friend.
[QUOTE=Always Horny #2]Fellas,
Coming to the DR at the end of January. Since my flight is not cheap, I wanted to make my stay longer than a few days. I am going to stay a minimum of six nights.
How realistic is a 3 day trip to Santo Domingo or even Santiago? I don't want to spend all my time in Sosua because of a fear of boredom after the wild weekend.
Also, are there any worthwhile activities outside of mongering?[/QUOTE]
Don't go to Santiago unless you can speak decent Spanish.
From Sosua, you can daytrip to the Teleferico en Puerto Plata which is a good half day trip. Take a chica and do lunch on the Malecon and check out the fort.
For thrills, there is a place (national park run by what I think is an NGO) called 27 Charcos. It's just the other side of Puerto Plata before you get to the tunnel. Not well marked, just one small sign and a dirt road. Most Dominicans don't even know about it Best fun I've had in the DR. It's a series of 27 natural pools and waterfalls. You can do 7, 14, or 21 charcos but I suggest you start with 7. You have to hire a guide (ask for Bernie Williams and tell him Kevin sent you), wear a helmet and a lifevest b/c its a wee bit dangerous. You swim across the pool (freezing cold agua) and climb each waterfall with the help of a guide. After you've climbed however many you're going to do, you return by either shooting down rock waterslides thru and off the waterfalls or by jumping from on top of the falls. Exhausting, excilirating and well worth the 250-450 pesos for entrance fee and another 300 for a tip your guide.
You can also go to Cabarete (20 minute drive) for windsurfing or kitesurfing or just hang on the beach eating and drinking and watch others do it.
[QUOTE=Koki9290]
For thrills, there is a place (national park run by what I think is an NGO) called 27 Charcos. It's just the other side of Puerto Plata before you get to the tunnel. Not well marked, just one small sign and a dirt road.[/QUOTE]
I believe it's called Damajagua Falls. Heading west out of Puerto Plata the sign will be on the left side and, yes, you really have to watch for the sign or you will miss it. I agree, it was the best non P4P time I've had in the DR.
I was told it was called 24 falls or 27 falls.
Go with a local who knows the way. It is quite far from sosua.
Its 400 pesos per person for the minimum of 12 falls. Got there kind of late. Bring a water proof camera/camcorder.
LEARN TO SWIM before you get there. Life vest are mandatory as are helmets. Best time ever. If you are out of shape, stay home. The hike up the mountain will break you. Plenty of insect repellant is a must. Once you are up the mountain you have no choice but to jump off of cliffs into natural springs to get down the mountain. When you pay before you go up they tell you if you cannot swim you don't have to jump. Bull shit, unless you are a rock climber you wil be jumping. One member of our group had to be saved by our guide on three seperate occasions. Ask for a guide named williams who goes by the name machine. He will save your ass if you can't swim. My swimming sucks but with a vest, no problem at all. This is an all day event. 12 waterfalls was plenty.
[QUOTE=Funinthesun63]Me and my wingman will be there for New Year's. Hoping for something special...[/QUOTE]In which hotel are you staying? I was in Sosua a few months ago fpr one day/night and stayed in Europa. It was OKAY, but I don't know if I want to stay there for my 9 day-trip.
[QUOTE=Renegade23]In which hotel are you staying? I was in Sosua a few months ago fpr one day/night and stayed in Europa. It was OKAY, but I don't know if I want to stay there for my 9 day-trip.[/QUOTE]
Staying at New Garden for this trip and trying the new wing. Been reading good things about the new wing so decided to give it a go. Have not tried Europa yet as the reports have been hit and miss for that hotel.
New Garden has a good atmosphere and is reasonably close to everything.
[QUOTE=Catfish Hunter]I was told it was called 24 falls or 27 falls.
Go with a local who knows the way. It is quite far from sosua.
Its 400 pesos per person for the minimum of 12 falls. Got there kind of late. Bring a water proof camera/camcorder.
LEARN TO SWIM before you get there. Life vest are mandatory as are helmets. Best time ever. If you are out of shape, stay home. The hike up the mountain will break you. Plenty of insect repellant is a must. Once you are up the mountain you have no choice but to jump off of cliffs into natural springs to get down the mountain. When you pay before you go up they tell you if you cannot swim you don't have to jump. Bull shit, unless you are a rock climber you wil be jumping. One member of our group had to be saved by our guide on three seperate occasions. Ask for a guide named williams who goes by the name machine. He will save your ass if you can't swim. My swimming sucks but with a vest, no problem at all. This is an all day event. 12 waterfalls was plenty.[/QUOTE]
Your report on this place is dead on. I went a couple years ago and barely survived doing the 12 waterfalls. I remember "Machine" had to save me because I couldn't swim against the current. And yes, you really have no choice but to jump on the way back down whether you want to or not.
It was quite an experience and definitely not for everybody. If you're a good swimmer and not afraid of the water then it's not too bad as the rest of my party did okay. I wonder what the next 12 falls are like....yikes!!
[QUOTE=Twice Divorced]I believe it's called Damajagua Falls. Heading west out of Puerto Plata the sign will be on the left side and, yes, you really have to watch for the sign or you will miss it. I agree, it was the best non P4P time I've had in the DR.[/QUOTE]Yes, this is correct. About 20 mins drive from Puerto Plata, and few minutes past Imbert. Anyone staying at BB can get the lowdown from Bieke who runs a bar opposite Jenny's supermarket. He used to be one of the guides.
I am going to do the beachfront rental in Sosua and I'm not sure what area I want to stay in. Do I need to be near beaches or Clubs or What area would you all suggest? I will be taking a overnight trip up to BlackBeards while I'm there also, I keep hearing the trip is worh it.
Thnx for helpin the newbie.