Boca Chica going downhill !

Ifalasa · #1 04-09-2009, 11:55 PM

I just returned from a trip of seven nights. To say that Boca Chica is going downhill is an understatement. There seems to be even fewer restaurants than existed a year ago. The restaurant which is adjacent to Isla Bonita is gone. The owner of boathouse as I understand it is aggressively seeking a buyer. One of the only decent restaurants in town which was Dominican owned is now owned by a very decent Italian gentleman. It's almost like the only places to eat are the fast food greasy cafeteria type establishments.

There seem to be a lot more sporadic holdups of small businesses in the area. Saturday night around 11:30pm some gunmen stormed into the Swiss bar with the two pool tables in the back on DUARTE Street and menaced patrons and stole the cashbox. It took 35 minutes for the local police to show up. The police corruption in the town is beyond measure and if it's not realed in, I cannot see how this area can continue as a viable tourist destination. Even locals are moving up the coast. This beach has always had a really bad reputation for all of the reasons delineated on this form. It's been covered to death. But as someone who has visited this area four times in the last six years I have to say it's really going downhill. A terrible shame and extremely unnecessary.

Berzin · #2 04-10-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ifalasa

There seem to be a lot more sporadic holdups of small businesses in the area. Saturday night around 11:30pm some gunmen stormed into the Swiss bar with the two pool tables in the back on DUARTE Street and menaced patrons and stole the cashbox. It took 35 minutes for the local police to show up. The police corruption in the town is beyond measure and if it's not realed in, I cannot see how this area can continue as a viable tourist destination.

That's strange, as there are always politur around there and the police station is literally up the street from Duarte. And on a Saturday night?

No way this happens without some type of collusion between the robbers and the police if it took them 35 minutes to show up.

badpiece33 · #3 04-10-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ifalasa

I just returned from a trip of seven nights. To say that Boca Chica is going downhill is an understatement. There seems to be even fewer restaurants than existed a year ago. The restaurant which is adjacent to Isla Bonita is gone. The owner of boathouse as I understand it is aggressively seeking a buyer. One of the only decent restaurants in town which was Dominican owned is now owned by a very decent Italian gentleman. It's almost like the only places to eat are the fast food greasy cafeteria type establishments.

There seem to be a lot more sporadic holdups of small businesses in the area. Saturday night around 11:30pm some gunmen stormed into the Swiss bar with the two pool tables in the back on DUARTE Street and menaced patrons and stole the cashbox. It took 35 minutes for the local police to show up. The police corruption in the town is beyond measure and if it's not realed in, I cannot see how this area can continue as a viable tourist destination. Even locals are moving up the coast. This beach has always had a really bad reputation for all of the reasons delineated on this form. It's been covered to death. But as someone who has visited this area four times in the last six years I have to say it's really going downhill. A terrible shame and extremely unnecessary.

Boca Chica has gone downhill more than 10 years ago, I will not stop there unless I absolutely have to. Its a shame because it was a really happening place back in the early 90s.

liam1 · #4 04-10-2009, 11:49 AM

Boca Chica is nothing but a crack town now. Sad.

jrzyguy · #5 04-10-2009, 04:31 PM

Interesting...I was just there a few weeks ago and thought the place had cleaned up its act quite a bit.

Even tho the restaurant at isla bonita is closed (it seems to open and close quite frequently) there are a couple of great new italian restaurants (my favorite being the one that has a little buffet durring the day but has a VERY good menu at night).

I also noticed that there werent so many beach vendors and begger kids like in the past.

Didnt hang out at Duarte at night very much, as there is nothing there that really interests me. It is either Euro families on one block and the hooker bar on the next block.

I will say i have noticed an increase in drug use, especially among the men. But again...since i am not there for the sex trade this doesnt effect me.

My friends and i DID also notice that the hookers all have gotten rather chubby.

I am surprised at the story of the hold-up at the pool hall. I like that place. What suprises me is the time response as there are politur all up and down duarte, especially at that time of night.

I must also say that I have taken to using a moto on the way back home late at night rather than stumbling up that hill to Candil. I've never had a problem walking up there even late at night. And if someone did try to rob me they would be disapointed as I take very few pesos with me at night.

Boca Chica is a mixed bag. It definitely isnt for everyone. But I see more and more families going there than in years past.

I just wish it was a bit closer to santo domingo so i could enjoy the beach (and other surrounding beaches) during the day...and have the quality nightlife of S.D. at night. Duarte certainly isnt the 3 ring circus is was in the past.

drloca · #6 04-10-2009, 05:07 PM

To be honest, when was it ever going uphill?

Tamborista · #7 04-10-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drloca

To be honest, when was it ever going uphill?

In all fairness, there is something romantic about eating lambi watching the sun set behind Caucedo in the shadows of an LNG tank.

drloca · #8 04-10-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamborista

In all fairness, there is something romantic about eating lambi watching the sun set behind Caucedo in the shadows of an LNG tank.

Well, ok, I guess by some definitions of romantic......

jrzyguy · #9 04-10-2009, 05:58 PM

well i guess it is all who you are with. Someone that you have cared and been with for nine years and other good friends on an ok beach (there are nicer beaches near by)...or with a cheap hooker with a view.

frank recktenwald · #10 04-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Saw this nice project almost being finished west of the public beach called if I´m correct, Dream Village. Didn´t see any signs though. Does anybody know anything about this project?