SDQ Taxi Drivers and the Tourists they try to rip off - Page 3

jalencastro · #21 11-05-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Taxi drivers will accept pesos or dollars, and probably euros for that matter. The price from the airport is quoted in US$ because most visitors do not buy pesos at the airport and will pay the fare in dollars.

jalencastro, I can see how the fare to the Zona Oriental would be less than to central SD.

On one of my past trips to DR [for my buddy's bachelor party to be exact], I actually paid a taxi driver with STRIPPER MONEY to take me from some strip club in la capital to Juan Dolio.
For those who are curious, at the strip club we were forced to 'buy' stripper dollars, or chips in this case, which we would pay the girls with...dont ask my why, it's just a way for them to take your money....so at the end of the night I had $1,000RD in chips and not a damn peso on me....no ATM machine in sight and time to go back to the hotel....Call it a shot in the dark, I approached a young taxi driver in an Integra and told him I would trade in my chips for a ride to Juan Dolio. Convinced him to take the chips and come back to the strip club and use it later. He agreed and off we went.
You're right Chiri, they will take $ USD, $ RD, and yes $tripper $$$/chip$

mountainannie · #22 11-05-2009, 09:59 PM

I have not heard the basic rate at 110 pesos for Apolo in the last three years. It was 120.. then 140... now often 150.....

as a NYer I am always aware of how long we stand in traffic and am used to tipping---but these rates are still a great bargin.

but I do ask for cabs Con Aire... although I used to find that most of the cabs from Apolo were pretty good, lately I have been finding that sometimes that means that there is a tiny stream of slightly cool air that blows on the driver, who has shut all the windows.... and the cabs look like they are one step away from being a carro publico.... and the shocks have all gone..

One great thing I have found is that you can hire them by the hour for 300 pesos so that if you several errands to do, it is just wonderful to have them wait. They always hand you their card, and finally, after years, I found a great driver, with a sleek new Toyota Camry, great AC, DVD CD player, so I call him a day in advance to schedule my errands and get transported like royalty. a chauffered limo---- Heaven!!

Chirimoya · #23 11-06-2009, 08:42 AM

It is a good idea to get a "chofer de confianza" - a trusted taxi driver.

If a particular taxi driver strikes you as reliable, ask for his card and make a point of asking the central exchange for his unit number, or get his cel number and call him direct.

bob saunders · #24 11-06-2009, 09:21 AM

Jose Elias Jaquez - Cedula deleted(Goes by Elias) 809-786-1202 cellular. Reliable and fair, has been a taxi driver in Santo Domingo for the past 22 years. Understands English but only speaks a liitle. Married to my wife's cousin, non-drinker so at least you know you have a sober driver.

jalencastro · #25 11-06-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainannie

One great thing I have found is that you can hire them by the hour for 300 pesos so that if you several errands to do, it is just wonderful to have them wait. They always hand you their card, and finally, after years, I found a great driver, with a sleek new Toyota Camry, great AC, DVD CD player, so I call him a day in advance to schedule my errands and get transported like royalty. a chauffered limo---- Heaven!!

for ONLY 300 pesos an hour? is there some minimum they require like 3 or 4 hours? because this is definately a bargain to be driven around and have someone wait on you....hmmmm

mountainannie · #26 11-06-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalencastro

for ONLY 300 pesos an hour? is there some minimum they require like 3 or 4 hours? because this is definately a bargain to be driven around and have someone wait on you....hmmmm

never heard a minimum

they are usually just fine with the 300 pesos for an hour. Try it.. They do drive you around....

of course, the waiting on you.. well, that you have to work out with them separately!!

jalencastro · #27 11-09-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainannie

never heard a minimum

they are usually just fine with the 300 pesos for an hour. Try it.. They do drive you around....

of course, the waiting on you.. well, that you have to work out with them separately!!

any contacts? PM me with details because this is a bargain if ever I heard of one for a personal driver in Santo Domingo! it ssure beats having to drive around all day long when running errands and having to fight for parking!

mountainannie · #28 11-09-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalencastro

any contacts? PM me with details because this is a bargain if ever I heard of one for a personal driver in Santo Domingo! it ssure beats having to drive around all day long when running errands and having to fight for parking!

ah, you want the name and number of my personal driver? the one I found after discarding perhaps 150 cards of other drivers? So that when I call him, he will be busy driving you around? Now, I am happy for him to prosper and will be glad to share him for the big trips where he is going to make a lot of money .. say driving to PC or LT from the Capital......

But I do not know you. And that would be... like a VERY big thing, right?

I do not want to be uppity about it... but you have been on the Board here since 2004... is it that you live out of town?

Just know that any Apolo driver will be your private driver for 300 pesos an hour.....

I tip mine extra.

Now, if you live on the North Coast and are just coming into town for a day and want him, perhaps... maybe... if you PM the dates

I could let you use OUR car!!!

*where is the bunny? who took the bunny.....

jalencastro · #29 11-09-2009, 12:43 PM

LOL, yes mountainannie, I do live out of town! NY to be exact so every now and then when I do come to the island and visit I usually get a rental car. Although sometimes it would be nice to have a driver and not have to deal with the hassle of driving myself all over the capital, especially if i do not know the area or neighborhood.
It's ok, if you could please clarify what you mean by an Apolo driver then I will know where to start looking. 300 pesos per hour is a bargain by any means...thanks!

where is the bunny by the way? yikes!

mountainannie · #30 11-09-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalencastro

LOL, yes mountainannie, I do live out of town! NY to be exact so every now and then when I do come to the island and visit I usually get a rental car. Although sometimes it would be nice to have a driver and not have to deal with the hassle of driving myself all over the capital, especially if i do not know the area or neighborhood.
It's ok, if you could please clarify what you mean by an Apolo driver then I will know where to start looking. 300 pesos per hour is a bargain by any means...thanks!

where is the bunny by the way? yikes!

OK,,no problem... For a fellow NYer Sure, I will give you his name and number, providing, of course, that you just read the number, memorize it, then swallow the paper it was written on and be really careful about who you give it to?

AND if, when you come down you could bring a couple of GOOD copies of some concert music for the DVD CD player in the CAR,,, which is a late model Toyota Camry, and looks like a limo, by the way, and has a killer AC system...

Since no matter WHAT we buy here on the street for our 50 pesos just skips and stalls... and skips and stalls.

Mind you, we will PAY you for the DVD.. CD but you know, we are used to paying you know the knock off price.. so if you can find decent ones at 5 bucks????

I think the car and driver in the long run is much better than a rental...

i mean, lujo, right? Who needs to stall in traffic?

Let me know when you are coming

YES WHERE IS THE BUNNY_?????