Another First Timer w/questions

[Hawg]

I have looked through most of the posts and really would like to try Boca Chica on our next vacation.

My husband and I typically travel with 5 other friends (male and female) are ages range from 36 - 55. We have spent alot of time in Playa del Carmen because we are not AI type people but like white beaches and beautiful water. We like to get out and enjoy.

My questions/concerns are as follows:

1. Is there enough variety in BC for a diverse group of people? Some beach lovers/early nighters and some late night partiers?

2. Is it safe like Playa del Carmen where you can walk around anytime of day or night and not have a problem?

3. How far is Hotel Zapata from the restaurants/bars? Can we walk to these places?

4. Are there really as many "offers" from the women on the streets as I have read?

I appreciate eveyone's responses to these questions and any other input/thoughts you may have. I do want to say that I consider myself a fairly self-sufficient female who has done a great deal of traveling by herself, so I am not intimated by some of the scare stories that I have read. However, those in my group are less traveled and less equiped with handling problem situations so I want to be sure I am suggesting a place where they will have fun, be safe and not glued to my side 24/7.

[JOHNNY HONDA]

Having lived for awhile in Playa and also in Boca Chica I can tell you not to expect any similaritys.Playas fifth avenue is Miami compared ton Boca Chica,no fancy shops there no boutiques except local stuff mostly souvenirs.Unless its changed a lot tons of hookers it is however safe just watch your wallet around the girls
Lots of bars but mostly hooker oriented,lots of booze but I did not find enough variety to suit me unless I went into Santo Domingo,personally I prefer Sosua or Cabarete on the North Coast but to each his own.Do forget about anything similar to Playa its not gonna be happening
Johnny (an ex regular at Jaimes Beer Bucket in Playa,an exregular at B.C.s Zanzibar and Rte 66 and a regular at Britania Pub in Sosua now.)

[Hawg]

Thanks for the quick response. What are the beaches like up north?

[Susan Greco]

Four of us (two couples) spent 5 days in Boca Chica last March and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It is not a resort town in the sense that most people would think (no ritzy boutiques or trendy restaurants) but is fun and cheap. Additionally, the scuba diving is great (according to our divemaster who works in both the south, east and north, it is also the easiest location to dive due to currents/rough seas in the north and east). I believe the nightlife is varied - ranging from casinos, clubs and small watering holes but I have to confess that we spent most of our nights on Calle Duarte drinking Presidentes or cuba libres and talking to folks from around the world who were also visiting. There are a number of young women (and I mean YOUNG!) who are working as prostitutes and older men who are partaking of their services (along with skinny dogs about in the streets) so if that type of thing troubles you, I would suggest an AI. The prostitutes won't bother you unless you are a male and alone but you only need to tell one or two of them no, and the rest leave you alone - or as others have suggested - use the finger wag which is the universal signal for 'no thanks' understood by everyone in DR! The weekend on the beach is a sight to behold with all the families from SD enjoying themselves - blaring boomboxes, great street vendor food and plenty of lovin' going on! If folks are interested in visiting SD, Boca Chica is very convenient for heading into town for an afternoon.

I suppose it just depends on what each of you enjoy on whether you will enjoy Boca Chica or another location the best. You can find out more about Boca Chica at www.bocachicabeach.net or check out my trip report at http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=17580. There are definitely good and bad things about Boca Chica but as I said, I thoroughly enjoyed by time there. I haven't been to other beach locations in DR so can't really provide you with a comparison but it was by far my favorite beach vacation for a number of reasons.

I hope this reply was helpful - Susan

[Susan Greco]

that we didn't have a car the entire time we were in Boca Chica and you don't need one. Everything is within a few blocks of the center of town (Calle Duarte) which is a block or so from the beach. The website www.bocachicabeach.net has a map which will give you a better idea of the layout. As I recall, the hotel you referenced is essentially right between Calle Duarte and the beach right in the heart of town.

[rendul]

I've done the north coast only and I can say it is lively up there. The three major towns Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete all boast good restaurants, great night life and good hotels. Also hopping on the local transportation publico is a snap and cheap. Shopping outside of the AI's is a lot cheaper and a lot more interesting. Great selections and if you venture to any of the outside tours, a lot more interesting. Beaches are great with lots to do!!! These are actually functioning cities and towns for the flavour of the country. Side tours are great and so are the people!!

[JOHNNY HONDA]

Originally posted by Hawg
Thanks for the quick response. What are the beaches like up north?

The beaches are a darker tan color and more wave action ,Boca Chica has whiter sand but the water has no movement due to the fact that it is surounded by a natural reef,I always disliked swiming while living iB.C. only because on crowded days the water seemed almost poluted,as to diving ive been diving on both coast and the diving is in by opinion better on the north coast than in B.C. the real best diving is in Bavaro.
J.C.