santiago july 26th

[postalprix]

hello all, have used this site for a while as a guest..... Now i have questions on things that i really dont know about. I have travelled to DR countless times but never to santiago..... First, how much , and how secure are the cabs from STI to hotel aloha sol? Also thanks to the page i have seen many places to eat. I will be there from sunday until thursday. so next question is location of hotel appears to be good, so how safe of a place is it to walk around? I know i went on and on, just like to seek out help....

[Hillbilly]

Perhaps not the best place if eating is your prime interest. A little less expensive and better located is Hotel Jardines (Corner of Texas and 10 Street, just a block down from the Gran Almirante) Better location for partying, eating and casino.

Taxis are fine. We always use Emi Taxi ( 809 581 3000) and get very good service--this is on a daily basis!!)

As for walking around down town near the Aloha Sol...sure, not a problem...just do not put on a whole lot of bling and you are cool...

But change your hotel and you are closer to better restaurants....

HB

[mrchris74]

I stayed there in March. Cab fare was 500 pesos from the airport, you won't have any trouble getting one. HB is right about the location, there really aren't any restaurants nearby that I saw. Streets are safe enough in the daytime but empty at night, as there is nothing open but the casino.

The hotel itself is nice enough, although the rooms are quite small. The staff was relatively friendly and helpful.

Chris

[Hillbilly]

Good point Chris. Downtown Santiago is like Wall Street at night.
RE: Hotel Jardines...it is new (maybe a year old?) the rooms are small, but you are not going to host a party...so for sleeping they are fine.

HB

[bluemoonnyc]

I like Matum right near the monument,plenty of places to eat and drink nearby.nice rooms and very helpful staff.i paid about 72 per night

[postalprix]

I would like to be hopefully walking distance to everything.......I do not do cabs well.. especially in the caribbean. So aloha sol, although nice is not in a trendy neighborhood? I apreciate the help, i have to get the ball rolling......

[postalprix]

going by myself, so that is why i ask about safety and such..... and another dopey question.... at the restaurants, basic mastercard and visa accepted...... I know i know possibly a dumb question. would rather ask dumb question thatn not know at all...... and do the hotels in the city have currency exchange or should i go somwhere else......

[Hillbilly]

"Rollin' rollin' rollin' , keep those dogies rollin'....Rawhide!"

Then you are MUCH better off at Hotel Jardines....

Currency exchange is always better at an exchange house than in a hotel or airport.

1) Yes Visa and MC accepted
2) No, it is not dumb.

How are you with North, South, East and West? I can steer you to wherever you want to go.

Personal question: Why solo?> Just curious...

HB

[postalprix]

going solo because i am comparing the city for baseball and such... I have NYC right next door, so city life doesnt bother me. Basically comparing santiago to san juan PR. real estate is cheap so just figuring out where a part of winter would like to be. Going solo because the misses doesnt want to go... better for me =) thats why i ask the questions because i have only been up north and south.. Santiago is my last hope for DR..... do not want down south and do not want the beaches up north.... like i said city life is what i want.... and i want to walk to everything

[rsg]

You should not have many problems with taxis in Santiago. They are all over the place, and there is nowhere you will probably go that will cost you more then 150 pesos. Just always ask the price before you enter the taxi. There is not one hotel that you can pick that will allow you to see Santiago by foot only. Also are you looking for a hotel that is chica friendly?