Sosua Vacation Questions

CaptnJohn · #1 07-14-2006, 02:50 PM

Hola chicos y chicas,

This is my first post here...but I’ve been reading the posts and archives for a week. I’m taking a little trip to the República Dominicana in early August. This is my first trip to DR,, and my first vacation in over 3 years, so it is going to be a good one! My good friend, and my 16yo son and I have rented a large villa in Sosua for 5 days of fun, sun, and of course, mass consumption of large quantities of rum.

So I have a few questions and I’m hoping some of yall can help me out.

Rental or Taxi>? We are flying into POP, and I reserved an SUV. But we’re having second thoughts about the SUV now. We are pretty adventurous, and like to get out and see things on our own rather than in tour groups. We’ve driven in 2nd and 3rd world countries so I’m no stranger to unimproved roads and crazy driving rules, but it’s another $500 we could spend on rum if we don’t need a vehicle. Thoughts>?

White water rafting.. So is Iquana Mama’s the only tour company or can someone suggest a local guide for a private group>?

VOIP… VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn’t have any stupid internet rules. The villa is set up with highspeed internet, so I’d like to bring my VOIP phone but does anyone know what the DR internet laws are for VOIP>?

Oh yeah, Rum… How’s the DR Rum compare,,, I’ve always been partial to PR Rum.

Well any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John

nickijay · #2 07-14-2006, 02:58 PM

Lucky you John i just got back from Sosua yesterday. If you're going to drive your a braver person than me they are all crazy!! Taxis are good but agree a reasonable price first, cant help you out with the internet query but the rum is fantastic! Enjoy

rellosk · #3 07-14-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

We’ve driven in 2nd and 3rd world countries so I’m no stranger to unimproved roads and crazy driving rules, but it’s another $500 we could spend on rum if we don’t need a vehicle. Thoughts>?

$500 buys a lot of rum.

Pus if you rent a car, the driver needs to remain relatively sober.

A cab from the airport should run about $20US. If you are planning on traveling during the day, you should be able take the public transportation (I don't know how far you Villa is from the public transportation); or you could hook up with a local cabbie and negotiate a daily rate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

VOIP… VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn’t have any stupid internet rules.

I know someone in Sosua that uses Vonage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Oh yeah, Rum… How’s the DR Rum compare,,, I’ve always been partial to PR Rum.

Dominican rum is very good. Although, when I drink rum straight, I prefer Nicaraguan rum, but if you are mixing it, most rums taste the same.

BTW, welcome to DR1 and enjoy your trip.

Rocky · #4 07-14-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

White water rafting.. So is Iquana Mama’s the only tour company or can someone suggest a local guide for a private group>?

You can walk around town and see if anybody else is offering the package and compare prices.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

VOIP… VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn’t have any stupid internet rules. The villa is set up with highspeed internet, so I’d like to bring my VOIP phone but does anyone know what the DR internet laws are for VOIP>?

You wouldn't have to concern yourself with Dominican laws restraining you.
If voip prohibits it's usage abroad, that's the only problem you could run into, with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Oh yeah, Rum… How’s the DR Rum compare,,, I’ve always been partial to PR Rum.

I think it's world class, specially for the price.
Every island's rhum taste different, so it may be just a matter of personal taste.

Conchman · #5 07-14-2006, 03:52 PM

If you have driven in 3rd world countries before, then go ahead, just make sure you expect the unexpected and then something even more stupid by other drivers. Drive to Cabarete once during day and once for night time partying. Dominican Rum I recommend Barcelo cause Brugal is a little Brutal. Also a drive to Costambar or Cofresi recommended, to eat out at some restaurants.

joecanada · #6 07-14-2006, 03:55 PM

Don't bother renting an suv. Take a tour or a taxi when you want to go out and see something. you can always take a publico to Cabarete or POP if you want to be adventurous.

VOIP works fine if you can find free wireless internet access.

Go do the waterfall hike at damajagua -- a blast!

Cheers!

Joe

Rocky · #7 07-14-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecanada

VOIP works fine if you can find free wireless internet access.

As per the OP's post, the villa he rented is already set up with high speed internet.

DominicanScotty · #8 07-14-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Hola chicos y chicas,

This is my first post here...but I’ve been reading the posts and archives for a week. I’m taking a little trip to the República Dominicana in early August. This is my first trip to DR,, and my first vacation in over 3 years, so it is going to be a good one! My good friend, and my 16yo son and I have rented a large villa in Sosua for 5 days of fun, sun, and of course, mass consumption of large quantities of rum.

So I have a few questions and I’m hoping some of yall can help me out.

Rental or Taxi>? We are flying into POP, and I reserved an SUV. But we’re having second thoughts about the SUV now. We are pretty adventurous, and like to get out and see things on our own rather than in tour groups. We’ve driven in 2nd and 3rd world countries so I’m no stranger to unimproved roads and crazy driving rules, but it’s another $500 we could spend on rum if we don’t need a vehicle. Thoughts>?

White water rafting.. So is Iquana Mama’s the only tour company or can someone suggest a local guide for a private group>?

VOIP… VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn’t have any stupid internet rules. The villa is set up with highspeed internet, so I’d like to bring my VOIP phone but does anyone know what the DR internet laws are for VOIP>?

Oh yeah, Rum… How’s the DR Rum compare,,, I’ve always been partial to PR Rum.

Well any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John

I am happy that you have made the choice of staying in Sosua vs an AI resort, good for you!

Sosua is a small enough town where you can get just about anywhere on foot or moto concho (motorcycle taxi). If you want to get out of town there are public transport vans called "Gua-guas", public cars called "publicos" or taxis or even the big tour buses to take you to Santiago, Samana or Santo Domingo. Two taxi stands are in town. One is near the La Roca Restaurant and the other is near Harrison's Jewelry Store. The gua-guas run along the man road. Going out to the "bomba" Texaco Gas Station and farmacia if you went right will take you to Puerto Plata and left will take you to Cabarete.

Stop in and see Marco (known as Rocky on this board) in his restaurant. His place, called Rocky's on Calle Dr. Rosen. Go to the taxi stand by Harrisons and walk straight through the intersection with Harrisons on the right hand side. Rockys is a few doors down on the right just before the supermarket. You got to stop and see Big Lou at the New York Shark Bar. Using Harrisons as a reference guide. Cross the street from Harrisons walk across to an old closed down disco called Moby Dicks, turn left up the street and the Shark Bar is on the right hand side just before Seacrets Disco, the Shark Bar is open after 7 PM. Marco and Big Lou will assist you with anything you need to know.

Hillbilly · #9 07-14-2006, 04:54 PM

That $500 will do a lot of travelling, for sure. White water rafting is probably done up in Jarabacoa, and that is a just a slightly involved bus ride. Sosua-> Santiago->La Vega->Jarabacoa, then a moto concho into the rivers...Work a deal rather then attempt this first time here.

Other trips, like to Damajagua are easy and exciting. Ocean World is a great Attraction....

A trip to Santiago, not a tourist city at all, is worth a day of running around.
Great museum, old city center, stuff to see and do.
I'll help you if need be...

Sosúa is a tidy little place where everything is right there. Eddy's Sport Bar for TV sports and cold, cold beers. Rocky's for ribs and garlic chicken and cold, cold beer.

Cabarete ( a RD$10 peso bus ride) is a wild surfer's paradise....

Puerto Plata ( a RD$20 bus ride) is an old, XIX century port city....

Rum: For sipping, ther is Barceló Imperial, an 8 yr old rum. There is also a Siboney Red Lable that is pretty good. Bermúdez makes a 151 proof that is great to take home for Christmas punches. (Core a pineapple, fill it with 151 proof, refrigerate, add to punch....WOW!!)
Brugal Añejo (pronounced by non-locals as "Any joe"

), comes with a golden mesh. Pretty good with Coke and lime juice...

HB

Oh yes, most of us do not recommend driving for newbies here, at least the first time. Let somebody else do the driving....safer and much, much cheaper.

Rocky · #10 07-14-2006, 05:09 PM

The public cars or guaguas are more like 20 pesos to Cabarete & 30 to Puerto Plata, as gas prices rose recently, and so did the transport costs.