Currently in Santiago/Moca

[vbrookie]

Hello all.
I am on a business trip and staying at Hodelpa Casino hotel in Santiago, and weekend is coming soon and I was hoping if I can do some site seeing. For past few days I've been going back and forth from work to hotel, and I think it's time for me to venture out and get a little taste of what DR and city of Santiago has to offer. Usually when I go on a vacation/backpack trips, I look in to things from top to bottom so everything is well planned out, but this is my first urgent business trip. And I just didn't had enough time to plan this thing out. I don't even know if I have any time available this weekend but I would like to know for the future references.

And one more thing...
I would like to know how safe is Satiago/Moca, because at the place I am working couple of guards are on watch 24 hours with a loaded shoot guns. It sure look safer then Guatemala but if I could, I want to venture out further then TGIF without me worrying about getting mugged at gun point or get shot.

TIA!
vb.

[laurapasinifan]

I have made 28 trips to Santiao in 3 years, I have gone out to the nightclubs every trip..I drive home from the same clubs , just me and my GF in my rental car anywhere from 12 midnight to 5 am all the way back to Moca from Santiago. No issues

I am as gringo as can be ha ha ha

there is very little crime against gringos in Santiago

guards at the bank here in Danbury CT are armed!!!

shotguns are cheaper than pistols and as such most guards have shotguns.....

watch yourself crossing the roads at night......stay off the back of a motoconcho...take cabs...

dont open your wallet in a crowd with $500US in side easy to see!!!

put 500 peso notes in your front pocket use that all night.

good luck

although small, I like that Casino, they know us well there....

bob

[Chip]

See below thread. Before late at night things are safe in Santiago and Moca, just like anywhere back home. If you are by yourself, don't stay out late. Use common sense and you'll be ok.

Santiago "to do" and "must see" list

[vbrookie]

Wow thanks for the quick replies!!!
It sure looks and sounds like safe place then my last trip!
Santiago "to do" and "must see" list is a life saver for me!
I'll check few of the places out over the weekend.