General Info

Thanks for the info Yanqui, Guthrie and Drwoo. It does help.

One dumb follow up on the phone business. I read somewhere on the forums about buying a sim card for the DR and then loading it. Does anyone know anything about that? I have Cingular and my phone does use a sim card.

I think I have the rental car figured out. I decided to go with a national firm (Budget) and they offer liability right from the airport. I thought of taking a taxi to BB's from POP, but it is $35us each way and that goes a long way to the car. I got the car for just over $30us a day and $7 a day for the liability coverage.

In looking at recent posts on other threads, it looks like there are quite a few guys who have had positive experiences at FOD. I guess it is back on my list of possibilities. I liked the recent post by Escort King in the PP thread that talked about whether to stay at the action, or chill out a bit away at FOD and still enjoy the benefits. It seems that Loso has touched a nerve and there are alot of mongers coming to Billy's defense.

Another dumb question here, with the time I have available (probably 3 days/nights in Sosua) would you split it between FOD and maybe Europa for your first solo visit there? Any other suggestions would also be appreciated.

Silly thing is, I know once I am down there it will all come together, but sometimes I am a worry wart. The other thing is I know I will only be able to come down here so many times and I really want to have the best time available.

Another dumb question here, with the time I have available (probably 3 days/nights in Sosua) would you split it between FOD and maybe Europa for your first solo visit there? Any other suggestions would also be appreciated.

No offense to Field of Dreams but there is so much more action,street live, beach in Sosua. If you have down time you can still walk around the town of Sosua to check out what the shops look like, beach, casino, La Passions massage, M & M Massage, local bars, etc. , etc. If in Sosua stop by Lou's Shark Bar to touch base with some Americanos there.

I would stay in Sosua first. If you don't like it check into F.O.D.

[QUOTE=Ponderosa]Thanks for the info Yanqui, Guthrie and Drwoo. It does help.

One dumb follow up on the phone business. I read somewhere on the forums about buying a sim card for the DR and then loading it. Does anyone know anything about that? I have Cingular and my phone does use a sim card.

I think I have the rental car figured out. I decided to go with a national firm (Budget) and they offer liability right from the airport. I thought of taking a taxi to BB's from POP, but it is $35us each way and that goes a long way to the car. I got the car for just over $30us a day and $7 a day for the liability coverage.

In looking at recent posts on other threads, it looks like there are quite a few guys who have had positive experiences at FOD. I guess it is back on my list of possibilities. I liked the recent post by Escort King in the PP thread that talked about whether to stay at the action, or chill out a bit away at FOD and still enjoy the benefits. It seems that Loso has touched a nerve and there are alot of mongers coming to Billy's defense.

Another dumb question here, with the time I have available (probably 3 days/nights in Sosua) would you split it between FOD and maybe Europa for your first solo visit there? Any other suggestions would also be appreciated.

Silly thing is, I know once I am down there it will all come together, but sometimes I am a worry wart. The other thing is I know I will only be able to come down here so many times and I really want to have the best time available.[/QUOTE]

If this is your first time driving in the DR:
Watch out for the Motoconchos. They are all suicidal.
They will cut off cars with a motorbike, pass on the wrong side, etc.
I once got in the left lane, put a turn signal on, waited for a gap in oncoming traffkc, started to make a left turn, -and had an idiot and his passenger slam into my car (driver side) ripping off the rear view mirror and damaging the door. (passing on the left in the oncoming lane, no atttention to miy turn signal).
Make turns slowly and gradually so the idiots can react to it.
Watch out a full 360 degrees around you. No one obeys any traffic rules.

Im planning a three week trip to the DR for my third visit. After figuring out my budget I notice it would be cheaper and less hassle to rent an apartment and travel from there and pay for hotels on the road rather than mid range hotel it all the way.
I know once I get there I will have many options but what about these online rental companies on debbies dominican travel page etc. ?

More importantly do you think apartment renters will accept travelers checks or credit cards (if I feel secure with them) ?

Do you think apartment owners(in sosua or boca chica) have the same rules as hotels about bringing girls back.... would anyone monitor this?

Im thinking boca chica vs sosua because Ive never been there and I have SD so close which I would like to visit as well. I'd like to see more of the DR I havent seen but get laid along the way. Is this suicide will I kick myself for not staying in good old sosua?

Hi there, I’m a long time lurker and need some advise.

I’m going to have one week to travel to the Caribbean with a buddy. We are both in our early 30’s and have been give time off from the SO’s. We have narrow the search down to the Caribbean only because of we don’t want to spent 24 hours in a plane to go over sea’s otherwise I think Thailand would be our 1st option.

However, that been said I have been to Mexico Cancun Palya de caramen, Cuba Veradaro and Jamaica Nigril before with the wife. I never got an opportunity to hobby. TBH, I’m not sure there is much at those places for the hobby.

Here are some questions I hope some of you might be able to answer.

Where in the Caribbean should be go? We want to be able to hobby but also want to have some beach days and travel on some tours as well. We would like a resort near some night life.

Should we book an All Inclusive hotel? (We will want separate rooms)

If so what AI resorts would be best for us?

If not would hotels would be best?

Hope this is not to much to ask.

Thanks in advance.

[QUOTE=Ponderosa]..... I read somewhere on the forums about buying a sim card for the DR and then loading it. Does anyone know anything about that? I have Cingular and my phone does use a sim card....[/QUOTE]

Ponderosa:

You need to make sure that your phone is "unlocked" to put a different SIM card in it. Usually Cingular are OK about giving you the code if you have been a customer for a while. Failing that, there are resources on the Web that can help you unlock the phone - just Google.

I am pretty sure that Orange Dominicana are the local GSM provider using GSM 1800/1900 MHz frequencies so you need to make sure your phone runs 1900 MHz. Buggered if I can remember if that is a Tri-band or a Quad-band phone, except I do know a Quad band phone is OK.

Regards

Polvo

[QUOTE=Spastar]Hi there, I’m a long time lurker and need some advise.

I’m going to have one week to travel to the Caribbean with a buddy. We are both in our early 30’s and have been give time off from the SO’s. We have narrow the search down to the Caribbean only because of we don’t want to spent 24 hours in a plane to go over sea’s otherwise I think Thailand would be our 1st option.

However, that been said I have been to Mexico Cancun Palya de caramen, Cuba Veradaro and Jamaica Nigril before with the wife. I never got an opportunity to hobby. TBH, I’m not sure there is much at those places for the hobby.

Here are some questions I hope some of you might be able to answer.

Where in the Caribbean should be go? We want to be able to hobby but also want to have some beach days and travel on some tours as well. We would like a resort near some night life.

Sosua. The Town Has the night life.

Close to a great beach in Cabarette & sight seeing in Puerto Plata.

Plenty of bars open until 1AM & 2AM ON Friday & Saturday.

Should we book an All Inclusive hotel? (We will want separate rooms)

Check out the Europa or The New Garden Hotel. They are chica friendly.
A.I. will not let in a guest.

If so what AI resorts would be best for us?

PLAYA DORAL(?) IN PUERTO PLATA has about 8 A.I. all together with a golf course.

If not would hotels would be best?

See above. If A.I. is a must there are acceptable hotel rooms that can be rented for about $25-30 day. Sleep in the A.I. , use the other room as a party room.

Hope this is not to much to ask.

[QUOTE=Polvo]Ponderosa:

You need to make sure that your phone is "unlocked" to put a different SIM card in it. Usually Cingular are OK about giving you the code if you have been a customer for a while. Failing that, there are resources on the Web that can help you unlock the phone - just Google.

I am pretty sure that Orange Dominicana are the local GSM provider using GSM 1800/1900 MHz frequencies so you need to make sure your phone runs 1900 MHz. Buggered if I can rememebr if that is a Tri-band or a Quad-band phone, except I do know a Quad band phone is OK.

Regards

Polvo[/QUOTE]Any Orange shop will unlock your phone and if they can't they'll point you to a phone retailer who could and provide you with an Orange SIM $350RD. Tri-bands from the US is OK because it uses 850, 1800 & 1900MHz, its the dual band that will get you dropped calls in certain areas.

Spastar,

I'd agree that sosua is a good bet.

Since it sounds like hobbying is not the primary purpose of your trip, I would strongly suggest you book at one of the AI resorts to have access to the resort amenities some of the purists on this board sometimes don't value. That way you retain a lot of the "vacation" feel and have an oasis away from a lot of the bullshit you have to deal with in a town setting. I stayed at the Casa Marina Reef and was happy. Check prices on any of the travel sites and you'll see the prices are reasonable.

Get a couple of cheap rooms at a local hotel like the Europa for the times you need a place to bring the chicas. If you do not plan to monger everyday, just get the rooms as you need them. If money is a concern, I would stay two guys in a room while at the AI (is it really a big deal to share a room with your buddy if your not bringing girls back?)

Over the years I noticed that I actually save money by going to some AIs. The fact that they keep me occupied during the day with free activities stops me from spending money on nonesense while trying to kill time. This was especially true in the rookie years when getting scammed is a higher probability!

Have fun and be safe.

MC

I also agree that DR is a good destination for spastar. I would also suggest Curcaao, Aruba, or Costa Rica for him and his pals. Panama may also fit his bill.

[QUOTE=Terry U]Any Orange shop will unlock your phone and if they can't they'll point you to a phone retailer who could and provide you with an Orange SIM $350RD. Tri-bands from the US is OK because it uses 850, 1800 & 1900MHz, its the dual band that will get you dropped calls in certain areas.[/QUOTE]Thanks Terry and Polvo,

I am sure my phone is at least a tri-band as it is one of the newer ones (Cingular 8125).

Once I get the SIM card, does it allow for local calls only, or do you pre-load minutes so I can call home (or even something else)? I really appreciate this as I started looking at some of the mobile phone geek sites and was totally confused. Thanks in advance.

[QUOTE=Ponderosa]Thanks Terry and Polvo,

I am sure my phone is at least a tri-band as it is one of the newer ones (Cingular 8125).

Once I get the SIM card, does it allow for local calls only, or do you pre-load minutes so I can call home (or even something else)? I really appreciate this as I started looking at some of the mobile phone geek sites and was totally confused. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]The SIM card allows for local(809 & 829) calls and international calls to the US. You will also need to buy Orange phone cards, which comes in denominations of $100RD and up. They sell them all over the place, stores, pharmacies, gas stations and even teenagers walking up and down the highways. When you buy one, take it out of the plastic and scratch off the film to reveal the numerical code you'll need to punch in to add minutes. The directions are on the back of the card, but if you need help, pretty much every dominican knows how to do it. Incoming is free, you'll have a local number to use and having a cell phone is best for the traveling mongerer. Also, that number will be saved up to three months, so upon your return, just switch SIM cards, buy a phone card and you are up and running.

[QUOTE=Ponderosa]Thanks Terry and Polvo,

I am sure my phone is at least a tri-band as it is one of the newer ones (Cingular 8125).

Once I get the SIM card, does it allow for local calls only, or do you pre-load minutes so I can call home (or even something else)? I really appreciate this as I started looking at some of the mobile phone geek sites and was totally confused. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]

Ponderosa:

Your phone is a Quad band so you are safe in the DR and virtually anywhere else in the world.

You can use pre-paid (pre-load) minutes on the phone to call home but bring vaseline as it will hurt. I have two alternative suggestions for this;

1) Get a calling card from your US based landline carrier as it will give you a 1-800 equivalent to call home and will be cheaper than pre-paid minutes;

2) Sign up for a "call back" service like UWT. You call a specific US number on your cellular and hang up the minute it "rings". Then you will be called back on your designated local cellular number. This is mid-cost between option 1 and pure pre-paid but still waaay cheaper than pure pre-paid. Also no annoying paper trail!

Christ, I'm turning into a geek. Please, ask me a question about finding girls for sex!!

Suerte

Polvo

[QUOTE=Polvo]Ponderosa:

Your phone is a Quad band so you are safe in the DR and virtually anywhere else in the world.

You can use pre-paid (pre-load) minutes on the phone to call home but bring vaseline as it will hurt. I have two alternative suggestions for this;

1) Get a calling card from your US based landline carrier as it will give you a 1-800 equivalent to call home and will be cheaper than pre-paid minutes;

2) Sign up for a "call back" service like UWT. You call a specific US number on your cellular and hang up the minute it "rings". Then you will be called back on your designated local cellular number. This is mid-cost between option 1 and pure pre-paid but still waaay cheaper than pure pre-paid. Also no annoying paper trail!

Christ, I'm turning into a geek. Please, ask me a question about finding girls for sex!!

Suerte

Polvo[/QUOTE]Calling the US costs the same as a local call in the DR with a prepaid cell phone like Orange. For short calls you might just as well use the local service. If you need to make long calls to the US, then you would probably do better with one of the above mentioned methods.

I doubt anyone will accept hundered dollar bills but has anyone used 50's ?

The santo domingo hotels(that I will be using) only accept cash and they quote the prices in US dollars. Other than that it's all about the peso.


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