Santo Domingo to Boca Chica for day trip

[Kyle]

thanks zak as i will be in BC in about 2 weeks at the El Candil. i stayed at the Hamaca the first time so this will be my first go around with the locals in BC. any other info about BC would be greatly appreciated.

[jrzyguy]

Originally Posted by zak023

Avoid all of this fee paying and do as the locals..Walk down the beach towards the Andres/Boca Chica area..About 200 yards to your west ..Pick a table and chair and sit free...That is the area you can see with all the tents set up on the beach....Now I knew you already knew this..You just was waiting to see if someone else did...Well the secret is out ..Tell those clowns on BC beach to shove their tables and chairs and do as I suggested.....

Unfortunately...that stretch of beach (while nice and quiet) is unkept and rather dirty. Sooo...i personaly dont mind paying 150 pesos (approx 5 usd) for a chair rental on the main beach (again...with the vendors furtherst away from hamaca) and knowing the guyz will watch my stuff (even tho i dont bring obvious valuables with me).

It is a vacation after all.

As far as buying food from the establishments right on the beach. The prices are at least twice as what you will pay at any of the restaraunts around duarte...and not very good. For lunch i WILL pay for a fruit plate on the beach...and if i do get really hungry i will walk to duarte and grab a slice of pizza or a couple of pieces of fried chicken (only when it is fresh) from the chinese place (both 70 pesos) vs 500 pesos for bad chicherones on the beach. I usualy need a break from the sun around 3pm...so a 2 min walk to duarte for food works for me.

if you DO decide to sit at a chair/table on the main beach...and order food etc from them...be sure to clarify that there will be no fee for the chair!!!! i am sure if you pay 1000+ pesos for food and drink they will wave the chair fee

[helpmann]

Rent chairs from Peter, one of the owners of Playa Vista. The tourists and the Dominicans rent from him. He's a Brit and is very straight-up when it comes to price. Nevertheless, the service at Playa Vista has slowed down a bit since the departure of Flaco.

BTW: I'll be in Boca Chica around the same time. If you want to get some drinks, send me a PM.

-Helpmann

[johne]

OP plan for a day at the beach sounds pretty pricy to me. Prob. $30 out and $30 back plus $45 (I think for the day pass). Not worth it in my opinion.
The bus to the bus station is right down the corner of Hamaca. So for about $4.00 you can travel to and from.
Park yourself near the wall of the Hamaca on the public beach and save the $45. Besides, how long does anyone want to stay on the beach?
Not me for $75 bux.
When dopey the guard falls asleep with his water pistol in hand swim around to the Hamaca side--have an adventure-not just a day at the beach.,
john

[helpmann]

Originally Posted by johne

Besides, how long does anyone want to stay on the beach?

On a Sunday... until the sun sets.

If you're coming from SD, take a morning bus and stay the day. Find a $30US hotel and return the next day by bus.

-Helpmann

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by helpmann

If you're coming from SD, take a morning bus and stay the day. Find a $30US hotel and return the next day by bus.

-Helpmann

Probably the best and most enjoyable way to enjoy Boca Chica for a day.

[jrzyguy]

Originally Posted by bigbird

Probably the best and most enjoyable way to enjoy Boca Chica for a day.

I gotta TOTALY agree!!!

I am sure intercontinental can arrange a safe taxi to the bus station in S.D. The guagua (bus) will drop you two blocks from the beach. From there you can follow all our advise about dealing with the chair vendors and where to get some lunch.

There are pleanty of nice hotels in the 30-40 dollar range...that way you can relax after the beach..shower and grab something to eat at fernando's or one of the other resonably priced restaurants.

THen take the guagua back in the morning.

The OP stated that they DO speak some limited spanish. All you have to know is the price of the guagua (i think it was 35 pesos last year). Going back to S.D. you get a free shuttle that brings you to a transfer on the highway. THen...the only tricky part is knowing where to get off when you are in the capitol. Just ask someone to let you know when you are at parque indepencia. From there..find El Conde....and find a legit taxi stand and pay 100...maybe 200 to get back to your hotel.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

There are plenty of nice hotels in the 30-40 dollar range...that way you can relax after the beach..shower and grab something to eat at fernando's or one of the other resonably priced restaurants.

Also east of Hotel Europa on Calle Duarte is a one-block section of some very nice restaurants. I usually just pick the one with the prettiest tablecloths LOL. Seriously though they are all very good.

I can't recall the name but the restaurant on the beach where the waitresses wear sailor uniforms is very nice. Grab a table and chair on the sand with the ocean ten feet away.

[helpmann]

Originally Posted by bigbird

I can't recall the name but the restaurant on the beach where the waitresses wear sailor uniforms is very nice. Grab a table and chair on the sand with the ocean ten feet away.

Isla Bonita

Waitresses:
Ruth (huge ta-tas)
Lourdes (older but friendly)
Nairobi (young, dark, and thin)

Sit at the bar and have Ruth grind the limes for your Caipirinha. It's an experience.

-Helpmann

[zak023]

Don't forget they also have night swimming with a powerful flood light illuminating the water till closing time..Was there recently and enjoyed it.Although only the locals were seen in the water after dark...The tourists must be scared...Too many big fish movies I guess....