Santiago

Hola,

I am having trouble finding any place in Santiago or Santo Domingo that rents Camaro's or Mustangs. Can anyone assist here?

Thanks!

Eddy

[quote=edwhy; 1234066]hola,

i am having trouble finding any place in santiago or santo domingo that rents camaro's or mustangs. can anyone assist here?

thanks!

eddy[/quote]budget rents sports cars, i've seen bmw's for rent by them. also, on craigslist, i've seen ads for people renting higher end sports cars. i wouldn't suggest it as the city roads are not that great and every block has a speed bump or two. the highways are not bad and i've never been stopped for speeding, i regularly do over 100mph on the highways.

[QUOTE=Infamous Man; 1233482]Hey guys,

How much is the bus ride from.

Santiago to Puerto Plata and where do I catch the bus.

Any maps out there to help in my journey[/QUOTE]Like 8 bucks to Sosua check map for locations.

Map.

[url]http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=202115846141467908565.0004a7bf263b95d3454cb&authuser=0&msa=19&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8[/url]

[quote=cagep1967;1234278]budget rents sports cars, i've seen bmw's for rent by them. also, on craigslist, i've seen ads for people renting higher end sports cars. i wouldn't suggest it as the city roads are not that great and every block has a speed bump or two. the highways are not bad and i've never been stopped for speeding, i regularly do over 100mph on the highways.[/quote]with all the free ranging cattle, goats, and people on motorbikes, you ought to have 2nd thoughts about racing 100 mph here. ever see a car where a steer came through the windshield, it ain't pretty. it happens a lot here.

[QUOTE=Riky Rapido;1234726]With all the free ranging cattle, goats, and people on motorbikes, you ought to have 2nd thoughts about racing 100 mph here. Ever see a car where a steer came through the windshield, it ain't pretty. It happens a lot here.[/QUOTE]I have been rear ended by a truck, hit a cow, and a drunk driver ran into me. The truck caused damage to the rental car and my visa credit card paid for the repairs. I rented the car at Puerto Plata airport. Hint, pay the insurance or make sure your credit card will cover you. I have seen countless accidents in the DR. The worst was seeing this guy's guts on the road.

[QUOTE=Riky Rapido;1234726]With all the free ranging cattle, goats, and people on motorbikes, you ought to have 2nd thoughts about racing 100 mph here. Ever see a car where a steer came through the windshield, it ain't pretty. It happens a lot here.[/QUOTE]Not kidding! I was on the way to San Juan de la Maguana one night at about 65 and damn near hit a motoconcho that had zero lights; no front, no back! Right in the middle of the lane- not to the side like he would have been if he'd had any sense.

[QUOTE=Homeless16;1234842]Not kidding! I was on the way to San Juan de la Maguana one night at about 65 and damn near hit a motoconcho that had zero lights; no front, no back! Right in the middle of the lane- not to the side like he would have been if he'd had any sense.[/QUOTE]The motorcycle with no lights. This same thing happened to a friend who is a naturalized american, born here in the DR, but is 'rich' because' she is a gringa. She opened the door to her Jeepeta, the dude drove into her door, he had no lights front or back. The chico tumbled on to the roadway and another car hit him. With a broken arm and lacerations the other driver threw him into the truck of his car and drove the injured to a hospital. The cops arrested my friend and threw her in the slammer until she came up with 200, 000 pesos. She had to settle with the guy who was injured for his broken arm and short hospital stay. Count yourself lucky you did not hit the guy on the bike.

[QUOTE=Riky Rapido;1235104]The motorcycle with no lights. This same thing happened to a friend who is a naturalized american, born here in the DR, but is 'rich' because' she is a gringa. She opened the door to her Jeepeta, the dude drove into her door, he had no lights front or back. The chico tumbled on to the roadway and another car hit him. With a broken arm and lacerations the other driver threw him into the truck of his car and drove the injured to a hospital. The cops arrested my friend and threw her in the slammer until she came up with 200, 000 pesos. She had to settle with the guy who was injured for his broken arm and short hospital stay. Count yourself lucky you did not hit the guy on the bike.[/QUOTE]Yes, there must be some law on liability on that issue, because if you are traveling in a carro publico the passengers always have to get in and out on the passenger side of the rear of the car, even if it is the passenger who is next to the door behind the driver, regardless of whether the road is clear.

[QUOTE=Frannie;1235130]Yes, there must be some law on liability on that issue, because if you are traveling in a carro publico the passengers always have to get in and out on the passenger side of the rear of the car, even if it is the passenger who is next to the door behind the driver, regardless of whether the road is clear.[/QUOTE]I've been trying to figure out the liability laws here. So far I can only come up with this, there are no liability laws except that the person with the money loses. I have lived here for more than two years and that is the way it is.

[QUOTE=Riky Rapido;1235458]I've been trying to figure out the liability laws here. So far I can only come up with this, there are no liability laws except that the person with the money loses. I have lived here for more than two years and that is the way it is.[/QUOTE]That is the famous "Law of Deep Pocket" as the Prof taught us in Law 101. Extremely useful in deciding whether it is worthwhile and then who gets to sue whom. Equally valid in our litigious US.

[QUOTE=Infamous Man; 1233482]Hey guys,

How much is the bus ride from.

Santiago to Puerto Plata and where do I catch the bus.

Or would it be easier renting a car and going to puerto plata.[/QUOTE]There are three bus companies that go from Santiago to Puerto Plata. Fare is about 120 pesos (US$3) one way. Which one you take might depend exactly to where in Pto Pta you want to go and from where in Santiago you are starting.

Javilla Tours terminus is on the Northern edge of the city. Their buses are basic, local style, and stop at every village en route or anywhere else on demand. Don't use if you are in a hurry or want comfort or have luggage. Do use if you are traveling light, it is not a hot day, and you want to experience a bit of local color. Riding Javilla Tours I have had an infant dumped in my lap to look after and, very briefly, a cage of chickens. At the Pto Pta end they go as far as the Hospital (where you could change to a publico if travelling on towards Field of Dreams or Sosua) , then circle back through the town to their depot at La Javilla. One advantage of this bus is, if going to Blackbeards, they will stop at the entrance to Costambar on demand.

Caribe Tours use modern, air-conditioned buses (often very cold inside so take a sweater). They have two termini in Santiago. One at Las Jardinas on the SE side of the city and one at Las Colinas on the Northern edge. At the Pto Pta end they have a terminus in the city not far from La Javilla. The same bus then continues after a 20 minute wait to Los Charamicos. They won't stop anywhere on demand.

Metro also use modern, air-conditioned buses (also very cold inside so take a sweater). They have a terminus in Santiago at Las Jardinas and another in Pto Pta on Calle Beller inland from La Sirena. Their buses continue on to Sosua. They have the advantage of finishing in El Batey in Sosua rather than in Los Charamicos. They won't stop anywhere on demand.

Don't rent a car unless you really need one to get to otherwise inaccessible places. Public transport in the DR is very cheap.

[QUOTE=Riky Rapido;1235458]I've been trying to figure out the liability laws here. So far I can only come up with this, there are no liability laws except that the person with the money loses. I have lived here for more than two years and that is the way it is.[/QUOTE]Same as the US then! However taxi drivers have a book of a couple of hundred pages regarding the laws of driving in the DR, so there must be something in there, though I have not looked through the book. But if you are right, then what happens when it is not clear who has most money, or when both are equally rich or poor?

Hey guys,

I am headed to DR for the first time in late February (the 24th-27th). I am planning to hook up with a "friend" (and possibly make new ones). I have already purchased my flight with Jet Blue and reserved a room at the Hodelpa Centro Plaza. (its running me close to $400 for my stay.) *Deluxe room with all the trimmings / free breakfast*

However, I recently found a 3 bedroom. 2 bath vacation home on trip advisor for $80 a night ($240 total) and it is located four blocks away from the Hodelpa Centro Plaza. I have confirmation from the owner that there is internet, a fully stocked kitchen, and television available. I am very tempted to go for the house but I can't help but get this feeling that it's too good to be true. (No guarantee with security / safe, no cudela checks, etc.)

Should I listen to my gut or pick the clear choice in the vacation home?

Any and all advice is welcomed and appreciated.

[QUOTE=Namji01; 1236822]Hey guys,

I am headed to DR for the first time in late February (the 24th-27th). I am planning to hook up with a "friend" (and possibly make new ones). I have already purchased my flight with Jet Blue and reserved a room at the Hodelpa Centro Plaza. (its running me close to $400 for my stay.) *Deluxe room with all the trimmings / free breakfast*

However, I recently found a 3 bedroom. 2 bath vacation home on trip advisor for $80 a night ($240 total) and it is located four blocks away from the Hodelpa Centro Plaza. I have confirmation from the owner that there is internet, a fully stocked kitchen, and television available. I am very tempted to go for the house but I can't help but get this feeling that it's too good to be true. (No guarantee with security / safe, no cudela checks, etc.)

Should I listen to my gut or pick the clear choice in the vacation home?

Any and all advice is welcomed and appreciated.[/QUOTE]Nice thing if you stay at the hodelpa centro plaza is that you can use the gym and the pool at the hodelpa el gran almirante hotel (el gran almirante hotel usually runs more than $150US per night) , there is also a massage place near the pool at the el gran almirante (outdoor pool on the third floor with a nice view of the mountains). If you book with Orbitz you could use promo code "dealpro10" to save 10% on the cost of a room on the orbitz webpage. Centro plaza has smoking rooms with balconies, if you are a smoker. The breakfast buffet is nice and free internet throughout the hotel.

You could reserve your first night at the centro plaza and then visit the home rental to see how it is and possibly switch over to that place. If the home rental place is no good, you could stay at the centro plaza or switch to the aloha sol (about $50US. 1/2 block from the centro plaza) , or switch to the Matum Hotel, or Alberto's Suites or Hotel Platino, these places are less expensive than the centro plaza.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa; 1236949]Nice thing if you stay at the hodelpa centro plaza is that you can use the gym and the pool at the hodelpa el gran almirante hotel (el gran almirante hotel usually runs more than $150US per night) , there is also a massage place near the pool at the el gran almirante (outdoor pool on the third floor with a nice view of the mountains). If you book with Orbitz you could use promo code "dealpro10" to save 10% on the cost of a room on the orbitz webpage. Centro plaza has smoking rooms with balconies, if you are a smoker. The breakfast buffet is nice and free internet throughout the hotel.

You could reserve your first night at the centro plaza and then visit the home rental to see how it is and possibly switch over to that place. If the home rental place is no good, you could stay at the centro plaza or switch to the aloha sol (about $50US. 1/2 block from the centro plaza) , or switch to the Matum Hotel, or Alberto's Suites or Hotel Platino, these places are less expensive than the centro plaza.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the quick reply Jaososusa. I think I'll try what you've suggested. When I spoke to my chica about it, she said the hotel is worth the price because safety is a huge factor. (she wasn't comfortable meeting me there) I will share my findings on whether the house is worth the investment.