Blackbeards Resort

[QUOTE=Bliadun;2563113]2. Uber is about $40-45 instead of $90. Check the Tropiclink, their prices vary a lot for STI, I paid about $30-35.

6. Internet interruptions will happen every day, should be OK for sending e-mails, not good enough for Zoom or stock trading.[/QUOTE]If you are bringing work -suggest you get a bunch of SIM Cards and hotspot it as any hotel provided internet is going to suck. I took Claro package (initially it was 5 GB) and consumed all of it literally within 2 days by work related video calls and had to go back to the mercado to add pesos to it. I also had an Altice and Viva as backup. Darn cheap overall (especially since you are working) - 15 USD for 2 weeks total in a combination of SIMs.

They quoted more than a taxi each way.

[QUOTE=KrisMonger;2563127]If you are bringing work -suggest you get a bunch of SIM Cards and hotspot it as any hotel provided internet is going to suck. I took Claro package (initially it was 5 GB) and consumed all of it literally within 2 days by work related video calls and had to go back to the mercado to add pesos to it. I also had an Altice and Viva as backup. Darn cheap overall (especially since you are working) - 15 USD for 2 weeks total in a combination of SIMs.[/QUOTE]Is there somewhere close to Blackbeard's that sells SIM cards? Or can I pick them up in STI? I know where to go in Sosua, but that's a long haul.

[QUOTE=WanderingMan;2563216]Is there somewhere close to Blackbeard's that sells SIM cards? Or can I pick them up in STI? I know where to go in Sosua, but that's a long haul.[/QUOTE]I have bought it in two areas near Puerto Plata city. One is as you enter the city center -there was a shop there -can't recall the name, second one most recently is at the super mercado as you drive towards the playa dorada area (its off the main road) . They have booths inside that mercado for claro and one other (Vivo I think). STI airport should itself have options -but I never waited there enough to look for it.

Hello,

Planning my first trip to the DR and I'm planning on staying at Blackbeards all or some of the time (still not sure on Sousa).

Anyways, I was wondering what the deal with curfew is since the cheapest flight comes and leaves around 2 am from Santiago. All I see online is that travel from the airport to hotel is allowed but I'm wondering if there will even be taxis or ubers at the airport at this time?

[QUOTE=RubberDinghy;2563759]Hello,

Planning my first trip to the DR and I'm planning on staying at Blackbeards all or some of the time (still not sure on Sousa).

Anyways, I was wondering what the deal with curfew is since the cheapest flight comes and leaves around 2 am from Santiago. All I see online is that travel from the airport to hotel is allowed but I'm wondering if there will even be taxis or ubers at the airport at this time?[/QUOTE]You can arrange transportation in the form of an appointment at any time. I have left at odd hours. If you are leaving Blackbeard's, they will arrange it for you.

[QUOTE=RubberDinghy;2563759]Anyways, I was wondering what the deal with curfew is since the cheapest flight comes and leaves around 2 am from Santiago. All I see online is that travel from the airport to hotel is allowed but I'm wondering if there will even be taxis or ubers at the airport at this time?[/QUOTE]The taxi mafia and uber drivers who have their permission to operate after curfew will know when flights are arriving and be there to service customers. Of course the advice to have a driver arranged in advance is solid advice. Apologies I cannot help you with a recommendation. But other frequent travelers on here may be able to pitch in.

Blackbeard's May Letter and Information:

[URL]https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Buried-Treasure-Newsletter---May-2021-Update.html?soid=1011137626519&aid=cpiF2B2WWcg[/URL]

If you login for additional pics, this is what they send you:

[URL]http://www.blackbeardsadultresort.com/p01082021-1.pdf[/URL]

[URL]http://www.blackbeardsadultresort.com/p01082021-2.pdf[/URL]

I just stayed in BBs last week. In preparation for my trip I downloaded the latest version of the rules last weekend from the newsletter and the prices were what I had expected from my research (2500ST /4500 LT). But when I arrived this past Monday, at the end of my 1st session the chica told me that the rates had been increased by 500 pesos! Of course this is not enough to get excited about & I paid it after having the mamasan confirm that the rates indeed had just been increased.

Now what's really interesting is that this sudden price increase was done like a day after the 3 pm liquor embargo went into effect in Sosua! You be the judge of whether that's a coincidence or not.

[QUOTE=ReyKong6;2568814]But when I arrived this past Monday, at the end of my 1st session the chica told me that the rates had been increased by 500 pesos! Of course this is not enough to get excited about & I paid it after having the mamasan confirm that the rates indeed had just been increased.[/QUOTE]Normal. In Latin America when business is bad you increase prices to fleece the few customers that you may get.

Chicas do not pay to the hotel, BB will lose money because some price-conscious clients would choose other places to stay.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2568883]Normal. In Latin America when business is bad you increase prices to fleece the few customers that you may get.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Bliadun;2568953]Chicas do not pay to the hotel, BB will lose money because some price-conscious clients would choose other places to stay.[/QUOTE]True, pay goes directly to chica. BB is not hurting for business, have a friend there now on site for 10 days & he said it's been full. Good selection of chicas. Even though they did go up on price to 3000 p /1-2 hrs, he stayed in Sosua a couple days & found it so bad cause of curfew, shut down drinks after 3 PM, he went to Oasis (former Field of Dreams) for a couple days & ST there was 3500 p. There were a few doable chicas and some cows. LOL he did get a room special of $35/ night there though. Only a few staying there.

Do they still have raunchy bikini contests?

[QUOTE=HuskerDude;2569077]he went to Oasis (former Field of Dreams) for a couple days & ST there was 3500 p. There were a few doable chicas and some cows. LOL he did get a room special of $35/ night there though. Only a few staying there.[/QUOTE]

There is a line of chicas willing to work at BB, so the price hike seems to be not such a good idea. Columbia just removed a lot of restrictions, Brazil should take control over COVID in a few months, so DR is losing a competitive edge. The price hike is not significant for weekend warriors, but for those staying for a week or two might be a deciding factor. For those with a set budget, more spending for chicas would mean less money left for the hotel.

[QUOTE=HuskerDude;2569077]BB is not hurting for business, have a friend there now on site for 10 days & he said it's been full.[/QUOTE]

Soon to be first time DR and BB. I have been reading several posts and do not care about latest price hikes (500 pesos ain't that big a deal) and curfew restrictions. My question is oriented more towards safety. I am a veteran of other locations in North and South America. I am led to believe that I need to be more concerned about safety in the DR.

My Plan:

10 days at BB in a Captains Quarters Suite.

Venture out if I feel comfortable enough into the visit.

I am open to any and all words of encouragement and any suggestions you may have from your past experiences that would be compatible with a 10 day stay.

Is there more than BB that I should seek out while there at BB?

Am I overthinking it (relax)?

Are the newsletters and Bikini Beauties PDF's accurate?

I know not to expect 4-5 star hotel. Is the place at least decent?

Thanks for any input from people who have been there and are familiar.