Need info on the Merengue Festival

Can anyone please inform me about the Merengue Festival in Santo Domingo. My friends and I will be arriving in Puerto Plata the last week of July and were thinking of going to Santo Domingo for a couple of days. I need info on transportation to Santo Domingo(any buses, and approx. how much would it cost to get there), also where is it taking place exactly, and how much do the tickets cost? Any additional information would be greatly appreciated!

There is a bus depot in P PLata that runs air conditioned buses to the capital just about hourly, I think. Use the more expensive line (forget the name but hotel desk can help you - thi sline is much more comfortable and very inexpensive. (Since it was 2 years ago, I can;t remember how much but maybe 10-15$??) It's a 3 hour trip, and you get to see some of the country side.

As far as the schedule goes, that's a good question - I am going to Sto DOm first week of August and have no info - only know it'll be a blast. If you can, try to make it. The city is a whole new ballgame compared to P PLata. Lots of fun, and history to check out. - ONE IMPORTANT TIP-CUT OFF YOUR HOTEL ID BRACELET BEFORE YOU GET THERE - IT MARKS YOU AND YOU WILL BE HARASSED MORE, AND PEOPLE TRY TO swindle you more. Don;t get me wrong-it's not bad, but I always remove it, even tho they tell yo9u not to. In the city (Santo Domingo) this works for me. I hate those and usually don;t go all inclusive, but had one incident that made me take note.

Thanks for the info. I won't be staying at a resort though, 3 friends and I have rented a condominium. Are there any intersesting places that you can recommend for us to go to? Discos, restaurants, bars, etc. We have all been to Puerto Plata before, I myself have been there 7 times, only I mostly hung around at the hotels on the Playa Dorada. If you can get any info on the merengue festival, please let me know too, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for your help!!!

OK in Puerto Plata most of the discos are ion the hotels, so you know where they are, however, if you like Merengue and like to get down with the locals until the sun comes up, go to Las Barricas, in town. Any cab driver can take you. Went there several times without incident, except we took our sunglasses 'cause that sun really hurts after a long night. Restaurants - one of my favourites is el manguito, on the main road from Playa Dorada to town, on the north side. It's open air, casual, with excellent local food and nice cold presidentes. Hemingways in Playa Dorada is ok if you are in need of a burger or something.

There is also an upscale place in sosua that is on a cliff - very nice- forget the name but think it's italian, so if you want something special that's it.

I'd like to know how you rented the condo and how much it was. I hate all inclusive and try to avoid it at all costs. Will give you merengeu festical info if I get any.

dd

If you make it to Santo Domingo, go to the disco at Hotel Jaragua. Other names I have are collected are Jet Set, Guaraca Taina (restaurant/club in a cave-been there-it's interesting although touristy)Neon was snobby (english music) ONe of my favourite places as I may have told you is the restuarante at the end of El COnde, I believe open 24 hrs. Great place to chill out and people watch.

Someone had recommended the Italian place on the cliffs of Sosua but after further investigation we received fair to poor comments from most we talked to. So, we went there ourselves and decided to leave before ordering. The place was a bit run down and their menu did not impress us. Better and almost next door is the "On the Waterfront". They have an even better cliff view, a better looking restaurant, and all their food was great. It was so good, we ate there almost every day. See details in the review at the link below.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

Hi Doreen, Thanks for the information, as a matter of fact, I think that I've already been to El Manguito, is that the place that you have to go down a few steps to get in, and has gravel on the ground in the front? If it is the same place, then your right, I enjoyed it there.

The condo that we rented is costing us 1000$canadian for 4 weeks, its in Costambar. Is that far away from the Playa Dorada? Im not sure exactly how the condo was found because my friend was the one who took care of that. I'll speak to her this week-end and let you know.

I also remember having Sancocho at about 4a.m one night in a little restaurant, do you know of any places like that. If im not mistaken I think the name of that restaurant was El Sabrazon(something like that). Sorry if im asking so many questions its just that I can't wait to get there!!!

Costambar is pretty - on a bit of a hillside with lots of private properties. It is off the main road past Puerto Plata (opposite direction of Playa Dorada). Guess you'll be taking lots of cabs & Busses, but I'm sure it'll be really nice just to be there. Sounds like it was El Manguito you went to - still one of my fave places - Don't really know too many places in town - been to so many but forget their names. I've heard Sammy's Bar is good (from this board). Your rental price is great for 4 weeks - wish I could spend that much time there. PLs e-mail me back with any places of interest you discover this time around, and that condo info if you can. Thanks & have an amazing time. dd dubld1@hotmail.com