Sosua

Becky · #1 02-24-2002, 09:36 AM

I just got back from a weeks vacation in Puerta Plata. I enjoyed the trip and had a lot of fun, I took a cab to Sosua ( I hope that is spelled right) to see the beach and shops. I was told the beach was beautiful and the shops were great for bargains.

I was a little disappointed with the trip and felt it wasn't worth going after all. I found the beach at the Merenguie/Mambo resort to be as nice as Sosua. I couldn't beleive when I used the bathroom that a guy greeted me at the door on the way out and asked for money. Saying it is 5 pescos to use the bathroom facilities. I was upset saying why should I pay when there wasn't even any toilet paper in the stall. Anyway I paid the guy. I am thinking to myself why a place who wants tourists to visit it should charge to use the bathroom is ridiculous. On the beach I must have had at least 10 differant guys all over me like fleas trying to get me to 'rent' a chair to sit on. So I decided to just walk around and not sit anywhere.

The shops were three sided tents which I didn't mind at all. I enjoy shopping. However the vendors were like vultures. They all basically sell the same thing so if you walk into a couple you have basically seen them all. You walk bye and they are all over you to come in. " Please be polite and walk in my store" So that once your in there they don't let you out easily. After a few minutes I learned that If I was interested in something to not pick it up as they now knew what interested me and were all over me to buy it. I wish I had a dollar for every guy that said his name was cheapy cheapy. And how they said "for you my friend I will give it to you at cost" and the 'don't tell anyone how low a price you paid. etc etc.

Do they think we are stupid people who visit them?So many people I talked to (vacationers) said they hated the pressure to buy something. Maybe if these guys would relax a bit they would have people who would walk in their stores, instead of trying to see whats inside by walking by. Do they think we actually beleive we are their 'friend' and we are getting it at their price? I enjoy shopping and don't mind bartering but felt they were much too agressive in trying to get you to buy something.

Bugsey34 · #2 02-24-2002, 12:16 PM

That is so true!

I like shopping in Sosua but can´t stand those guys along that road by the beach. The only thing to do is go shopping with a Dominican and thereby not get screwed on the price of what you´re buying. You would think they would figure out that that type of pressure doesn´t work, it just turns people off. And also you would think they would realize that they should add a little variety to their stores since so many of them have the exact same stuff or variations on the theme.

Hillbilly · #3 02-24-2002, 01:43 PM

jeez, I can remember when Sosua in the wintertime was deserted, and you could skinny dip there.

Sorry you got the real "tourist" treatment.

Frankly, Sosua is the Boca Chica of the North Shore, but with a little more class, IMO...It is intense, and the idea is to have fun, get laid, get drunk and party on dude!...

Yet, there are places families can go and have a relatively quiet time...Just take some insider knowledge..

Hb

Escott · #4 02-24-2002, 07:34 PM

When I don't want to get bothered I look at my shoes when I walk. If they start talking to me I say no habla espanol, then no habla englais, then no blah blah German.

Works every time.

So you were bothered that they were trying to get your 25 pesos for a beach chair? That is $1.40 US and you would have been comfortable and they would have served you drinks. These are nice people that are just trying their best to make a living. Stop and chat next time and you may feel that way. Tourism is a big industry in Sosua.

If you think that they are bad there, try Jamaica. When I get off that Island I can relax and NOT have to continue saying, I don't want to hear reggae, I don't your gonga, I aint your buddy twenty times in 2 minutes every two minutes.

Easyest way to have a good time in Sosua is to not be too annoying and not be too easily annoyed.

You may want to try Aruba. That is the only place in the carribean I don't remember being bothered.

So far I happen to like Sosua the best of the North Coast.

Regards,
Scott

Becky · #5 02-25-2002, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jazzcom
When I don't want to get bothered I look at my shoes when I walk. If they start talking to me I say no habla espanol, then no habla englais, then no blah blah German.

Works every time.

So you were bothered that they were trying to get your 25 pesos for a beach chair? That is $1.40 US and you would have been comfortable and they would have served you drinks. These are nice people that are just trying their best to make a living. Stop and chat next time and you may feel that way. Tourism is a big industry in Sosua.

If you think that they are bad there, try Jamaica. When I get off that Island I can relax and NOT have to continue saying, I don't want to hear reggae, I don't your gonga, I aint your buddy twenty times in 2 minutes every two minutes.

Easyest way to have a good time in Sosua is to not be too annoying and not be too easily annoyed.

You may want to try Aruba. That is the only place in the carribean I don't remember being bothered.

So far I happen to like Sosua the best of the North Coast.

Regards,
Scott

Just a few comments on what you said. Yes maybe when you convert the price of a chair to my currency it wasn't much to pay. That is not the problem. I mentioned that every three feet of sand I walked on was another guy asking me the same thing. There were many trying to get me to rent a chair. I kept saying no I don't want one. When you say no your not interested they look at you like your from mars. And you mention getting me drinks. They probably would do that because they want the tips. They wouldn't get me drinks because I rented their chair. I don't mind tipping at all. I tip all the time but the reason I tip is because someone does something to deserve something special. NOT because they ask for it. An example when I got there at the airport my luggage was no more then 20 feet from the bus I was going on to go to my hotel. I carried it myself. A bunch of guys swarmed me to carry it for me. I said no thanks I can handle it. They all looked at me again like I am from Mars, With the one guy saying "that is our job".. I am not a cripple. 20 feet was a short distance. I didn't feel the need to tip. Upon Leaving the island the same thing happened although I had no choice this time. The lineup was very long and again the distance from the bus to the end of the line was about 12 -15 feet. I went to grab my luggage and a guy pushed me back saying I will do it. He carried the luggage the short distance and then stood there looking at me. He wanted a tip. I said I only have a twenty on me. He said I will be right back with change. I don't mind tipping but being forced to tip ****es me off big time. It's much differant had he said can I help you with your baggage and if I say yes then I would certainly tip the guy. But don't push me out of the way and expect to be paid.

As for your Jamaica comment. I have been there three times and have loved it very much. Would go back in a minute. And don't get me wrong I enjoyed the complex I was at in the dominican and would go back again easily. It is a beautiful island.

Eddy · #6 02-26-2002, 11:51 AM

These people are just trying to make a living. I agree that they are a little agressive. I will have a talk to them and try to pursuade them to use knives or guns to take the money from tourists to feed their families.

Marc · #7 02-26-2002, 12:19 PM

Hi Becky. I hear you loud and clear on the airport dudes. You have to remember that it is ok to say no. Don't feel guilted. Laborers here make about $200RD per day if they land a really good job, min wage is somewhere around $2500RD per month....so the tipping that they expect for the 5' trip from the door to the cab is excessive, and yes they are pushy.

As for the beach vendors, again, annoying as hell, but believe it or not much better than they were even a year ago. The thing with that is....it isn't unique to this island. Recently went on a cruise and hit 5 other islands in the caribbean...all the flea market type places are the same. "Special price", "today only"...

I think you may have had a better time if you had rented a chair, kicked back and let the beach boys bring you beer all day

marc

Robert · #8 02-26-2002, 12:20 PM

Just say "NO". Plus a slow moving "NO" gesture using your index finger usually gets the desired results.

Bottom line, it puts food in their mouth.

Tor · #9 02-27-2002, 05:43 AM

re Marc
With this sentence :

"I think you may have had a better time if you had rented a chair, kicked back and let the beach boys bring you beer all day "

You almost made me call the travel agency to order my thir trip this winter. Thats the way to enjoy life down there.

doug · #10 02-27-2002, 08:17 AM

For starters, Eddy...what an ignorant post! I mean, sarcastic to the point of ignorance! As for the people down there....yes they are annoying, but the thing is....they also know that they will not be seeing you again, and this is the one time that they may "have at you" and it (as said before)is the way they feed thier families. It does get to you...even if you are a seasoned traveller, but you just have to realize that this is part of the parcel.....like if you go to England.....it's probably not worth it to bitch about the rain. HB....two minutes for unnessary roughness.....just gotta give one to Boca Chica....LOL...Skinny dip in sosua, I would of liked to have visited the DR 30 yrs ago, and seen how things were back then!