Foreigners rates?

[La Reina]

Obviously my naivity is going to show here and I am slightly embarassed by this, but here goes.

I contacted a company in the East providing a 'fun day' caving and the like, wanting to know about prices. The email response I got was

"hello
Dominicans is for the price of RD $ 1160.00 pesos per person
For foreigners is $ 70.00 Dollars
thank"

Now OK naive I may be on discrimination issues, but a 100% mark up if you are a foreigner is just downright unacceptable to me. The activities will be the same, the time the guide spends with you will be the same and so on.

I am learning all the time about the culture in the DR and this is just one of those lessons I suppose.

[Jumbo]

Tell them you are half Dominican and see if they come back with a counter offer.

[ElvisNYC]

Originally Posted by Jumbo

Tell them you are half Dominican and see if they come back with a counter offer.

very good idea !

[planner]

It is pretty common practice to offer a price for "locals". the reality is few locals could ever afford to do something like this without local pricing.

Put is in perspective of how much foreigners earn vs locals and maybe you will understand the logic.

[johne]

Ask them what happens if you don't have a "fun day?". Ask what the price is if you sit next to a Dominican on the bus. Ask if they used an exchange rate of 34. Use a calculator or did he use his pea size brain? Ask if they give "traveller's award points to caves" like their competion does. Does it include lunch and dinner. AI?

In other words, dazzle them with your footwork and in the end your goal is a FREE trip.
john

[bachata]

You have to understand that foreigners receive much better services than Dominicans.
Example ,Vans that usually pick up 16 Dom. pax. does no pick up more than 7 foreigners and must be in very good conditions, government request full insurance for the tourist transportation company .
That make the difference.

JJ.

[johne]

HeHe. Bacata my price to you for the Brooklyn Bridge is better than the next guy's because I sweep the snow off of it this m orning. Selling it cheap--today only. PM if interested.

[CFA123]

A local rate helps reduce vacancies.

Anyhow, there are lots of rates. For example, tour companies get discounts so they can make a profit re-selling a block of hotel rooms, etc, etc.

I took advantage a few times of 'local' rates when I was living in Santiago & would go to the beach most weekends. In the long run, the hotels made good money off my regular visits. Even if there was no official locals rate, after 1 or 2 stays a discount of 15-20% for future stays was not uncommon & often granted without requesting it. Just be nice & doors are opened for you.

[Rocky]

It's all a matter of perspective.
Is it overcharging the tourists, or is it in fact, giving locals a discount, as they are repeat customers and not as affluent?

[John Evans]

were you happy with the price before you heard others got it cheaper-if you were happy with the price pay it - if you didnt like the price try somewhere else or tell them and see what they say