staying in rio san juan

keflercat · #1 03-25-2008, 04:21 PM

hi everybody! i hope someone can help me. i'm thinking of going to rio san juan within the next month, and was wondering if anyone knew how much it would cost to rent an apartment in the town for 2 weeks as i would like to see the 'real' dominican as opposed to the resorts. also, i've heard that the bahia blanca hotel has pretty reasonable rates, but i'm not sure how much it would cost per night. any help with these questions would be very much appreciated. thanks in advance!

SKY · #2 03-25-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keflercat

hi everybody! i hope someone can help me. i'm thinking of going to rio san juan within the next month, and was wondering if anyone knew how much it would cost to rent an apartment in the town for 2 weeks as i would like to see the 'real' dominican as opposed to the resorts. also, i've heard that the bahia blanca hotel has pretty reasonable rates, but i'm not sure how much it would cost per night. any help with these questions would be very much appreciated. thanks in advance!

The Bahia Blanca is about $40-50 US per night.

keflercat · #3 03-25-2008, 04:27 PM

that's great! thanks very much!

thurston · #4 03-25-2008, 04:39 PM

Hi
It has been 4 or 5 years since i have been to hotel Bahia Blanca, so i am not sure
of the cost now, however it is a good choice of hotel.

Have Fun

RonS · #5 03-25-2008, 04:41 PM

I just visited the Bahia Blanca two weeks ago. The rate was $35 per night and the rooms, while basic, i.e., no tv, ac, or telephones, are very nice. Give my regards to Lise and Gaston.

keflercat · #6 03-25-2008, 05:02 PM

thanks for all your replies, i've tried several forums before this one and never had a reply, so thanks guys! don't suppose any one has any info on my question about apartments? i need to weigh up my options and choose the best ( read cheapest!) one.

les1 · #7 03-29-2008, 09:15 AM

The Bhia Blanca cost 1000 pesos and also have a basement room for 500 peso which I like cause it has a large balcony, is very near the sea and is private. Its cheap cause they hang the washing there. The is also Gris Gris appartments for 1000, less for a week or more. There you get bedroom an d kitchen/living room. It overlooks the central park (which is an important area for socialising, meeting and also pick-ups) and is just down from one of the 2 dance halls know locally as Rafael's.

If you really want local life you could try and stay in one of the Barrios, for example Buenos Aires. Colmado Espanole has rooms above, not sure if they are furnished. Walk in the direction away from the sea by the side of D'Franks dance hall and just keep going. You'll know when you are in the barrio, a couple of blocks after Calle Padre Bellini. Eventually you'll pass a Colmado with loud music known locally as Ramona's, back track a few metres and turn left and there it is. I have a house further down the Col Esp road, on the left past a piece of ground with no house on it and behind the next building which is painted green. If you cross a small river you've gone too far.

If you are there late May/ June look me up if you want and I'll show you around. If you get lost ask for Les/Bailarena or in the last resort El gringo.

keflercat · #8 03-29-2008, 03:09 PM

les1, thanks very much for your information, it was very useful! i've actually booked a flight now for the 14 april so will be there from that date until 28 april, but thanks for the offer of showing me around, i might take you up on that sometime in the future! it's very kind of you to offer to help a stranger - not many people would do that, so thanks again, it's very much appreciated. my friend has told me that an apartment should cost between 10,000 and 15,000 pesos for 2 weeks, does that sound about right to you?

les1 · #9 03-31-2008, 07:23 AM

Gris Gris Appts cost 1000 per night and maybe around 5500 for a week. They are nice and of course you can cook, I can recommend places to eat Dominican food.
There are other appartments to rent, which will be around 10-8000 per month. There are 2 lots boardering the Central Park, just walk away from the sea from Rafael's and there's one on the next corner, then turn right and another lot 100m along the road.

No problem showing you around, generally good to meet someone new and talk.

As well as swimming in the sea try the river, especially for the dominican experience. Take a gua gua or car along carreterra heading west and ask for the river, its 5-10 mins. Cross the road and walk down the track past a little place selling beer. Hope you enjoy Rio San Juan. For me its the best place I've found in DR, friendly people, no hastle, beautiful and not much tourism (apart from the Laguna Gris Gris day trips, and they're fun watching the tourists bumbling around).

Since we are here would there be any rental market for a 2 bedroom house deep in a safe and friendly and poor barrio? Comments from anyone.

Les

SKY · #10 03-31-2008, 10:34 AM

I can recommend an excellent restaurant in Rio S. Juan that specializes in Seafood. Cheos. This is a real restaurant, not a dump. Tablecloths, wine list, etc. Price is right and food is great. Ask anyone where it is. Everyone knows this place.