Nagua
 

Within the week I will be going to Nagua on a project - 2 week duration. From reading the postings of others, it seems I'll need to be staying outside of the town as noone seems to be able to recommend a place inside the town.
Can anyone tell me something about the town itself, as far as places/buildings? Except for sleeping and breakfast, my days will be spent in Nagua. Is there a supermercado there? What about a couple of decent eating places? I'm thinking wholesome food, not fancy. Is the area known for a particular dish? I am able to speak intermediate conversational spanish so i'm not concerned if the folks in the restaurant etc only speak spanish. If all else fails, my time before leaving is short, I plan to present myself to the local catholic church and ask if there is a priest assigned there that speaks english and get some info from him.
Por ahora ...

Nagua?
 

I drove through it on the way to Las Terrenas - It's a pretty big town - stop signs and lots of cross streets, car dealers, etc.You will easily find your way about - there is probably a central square - as it looks to be an older town in the Spanish style. Sit down and have a coffee and it will just come to you.

If you get a break take a weekend in Las Terrenas for the sea and beach scene, which is not there in Nagua. Hire a local driver to bring you - it's a fantastic ride up through the mountains by the rice paddies.

When you come up, could you please buy all the cashews that are for sale on the side of the road and I will buy them off you and sell them to the local vendors here so that they can sell them to the tourists on the beach? Here they are trying to sell all the "free trade" American stuff to the European tourists. You can imagine how well that business is going!!

I would give you my cell phone number but the phone seems to have been preempted by a Dominican. Hey -- could someone who is reading this and speaks really great Spanish call 809-972-2511 and ask them to turn the phone into the Policia Turistica since I am only here to help? I have an income from the States - just down here to live in peace and maybe help out if I can. Thanks - Elizabeth

Nagua has at least 50K people and at least 100K motorcycles. The town is know for its abundance of pasolas. Nagua is big enough to get mildly lost in and has plenty of stores, car dealers, part stores, small hotels, at least 2 supermarkets, several gas stations, internet places etc. In otherwords everything you would expect from a large town/small city.

As for hotel and resteraunts, i cant tell you the names of any or which are any good. To the best of my knowledge there are no places that specifically cater to foriegners (read as better quality). I wish I could help you more, but that is about all i know. If you find a decent place to eat there, let me know...

Actually, there is a decent hotel in the city of Nagua, which I would recommend. Hotel Saini. I apologize that I missplaced the card I kept with address and contact info. If I find it, I'll post again. Clean, comfortable rooms w/ AC and cable for a reasonable price. As far as other things you asked, I'm afraid I can't help much. I spent 2 days there last year, but I was being shown around by a local and didn't always know exactly where I was. it is actually quite a large town, and there are plenty of places to eat, as well as some night spots. There is a board member who lives there, I believe her username is N.C. Hopefully she or her novio chuckuindy will read this and help you out.

Nagua hotel
 

I stayed in the hotel opposite the Caribe Tours office in the center of town.
It was clean with airco and only charged something like 600pesos. Can't remember the name of it or address.
Bartolomeo

Nagua
 

we stayed in Nauga for a few days in August.

excellent supermarket on main street across from Scotiabank. it was the nicest one we found in the DR.

excellent family run restaurant called Comedor Hernandez. just on the way out of town towards Samana on the main highway. you'll cross 3 bridges first, about 2km out of town. it is an open-air restaurant on the seaside with a great view. very reasonable prices, good Dominican food and seafood.

very clean, mostly upper middle class Dominicans and business people. we ate there about 6 times. don't confuse it with the restaurant beside it that looks very similar as no one seems to eat there. meal prices around $150 $180 RD for the daily specials.

the hotel across from the Caribe tours is OK but very noisy. if you don't mind the conchos all night long then you're alright. there is also a disco there.

there is a very nice small Italian hotel, Hotel Cambri. it is also on the way to Samana and just before the restaurant. it is on the land side set back from the road. there is a big sign saying Little Italy and a pizzeria at the corner.
only nice hotel we found. 809-584-7066 www.hotelcambri.com

Nagua was very nice with a strong middle class. there's a pride of ownership. a concho guided us to two places downtown and refused any money. great Dominican town.

I stayed at the top floor and didn't have problems with the noise. Next door is a bar where young people go, not a true disco. Off course it is in center of town, not in a very quiet area.

Thank you for the info. Doubt i'll be getting much time on the weekend though.

Thank you for the info. When i do return (by Christmas), I plan to post info. re: Nagua for future travelers.

Thank you for the Nagua info. I'll post something for others when i return.