Going to DR 1st time .. Advice ?

[ricktoronto]

Originally posted by XanaduRanch

But be honest here, HB. Sure, 10-12 people a day. OK. But it should be pointed out that at least half of those every day are being run over by our own CrisColon in Santo Domingo with those humongous defensas, and that bad attitude of his. Otherwise the country is relatively safe.

If they romoved the bounty there'd be less motoconcho deaths but nothing to do during the day.

Final tip - the All Inclusive Mafia (e.g. the tour company goof and hotel management) may try to tell you that you'll all DIE and be robbed (while dead) if you leave the resort to spend money outside their coffers. That is a lie. It is safe and only some of you will die, those on motoconchos, mainly.

Send the weakest one or the one you don't like much ahead on a scooter and you'll be fine in town.

[tired_boy]

Originally posted by marliejaneca
Okay I will try this one !

Sosua, not Sousa is a town west of Puerto Plata.

I didnt want to seem picky but incase it caused any misunderstanding - Sosua is east of Puerta Plata.

[ricktoronto]

Originally posted by tired_boy
I didnt want to seem picky but incase it caused any misunderstanding - Sosua is east of Puerta Plata.

Sosua, not Sousa

I think part of that response was to point out that Sosua is a town in the DR while Sousa is the dead American composer of "The Stars and Stripes Forever".

[tired_boy]

Originally posted by ricktoronto
I think part of that response was to point out that Sosua is a town in the DR while Sousa is the dead American composer of "The Stars and Stripes Forever".

Sorry, but no, i am not trying to draw attention to the spelling of Sosua because i understand what they mean by Sousa if they dont happen to know how to spell it correctly.
Seeing as the thread has been posted by someone who has never been to the DR before i was simply trying to help with any confusion on which direction Sosua is from Puerta Plata.

Lets remember, people posting on here for the first time might not be able to spell towns correctly, maybe not even the name of the country. We still understand what they mean though.

So after all that - whats the thread about again..............

[OttawaSenators]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the numerous posts on this thread. Lots of Info here.

Gregg,

Are you the same posted on a different board with the name and email address of a Taxi Driver ? If so, I emailed but no reply yet.

I am getting excited about the trip and my intent on this thread was to gain some knowledge on what my wife and I should do down there to gain the most out of our week.


Thanks again everyone.

[marliejaneca]

I am so sorry that I wrote the wrong directions - please do not tell my husband as he is forever trying to make me take a compass everywhere !!!
Yes, Gregg - I am very, very directionally challenged!!!
I am sorry if I confused anyone out there that has never been and the next time I post directions I promise I will get my east/west straight !!!

[FireGuy]

Ottawa

It may have been me??; I would have recommended Martin Espinal and a no response is VERY out of character since his daughter does all his e-mails - daily.


Marlie

It'll be our secret (LOL).

Gregg

[OttawaSenators]

Maybe you could send the email again.

ronharris@rogers.com

I may of typed it in wrong, but I still haven't received any response.

Thanks.

[toby]

Dear Ottawa Sens fan,
I am back from Puerto Plata from a one week stay and hail from Ottawa. One of the funniest moments at our resort was the rush on the internet cafe when the Ottawa Senators played and everyone was desperate to know the score of the game. The resort in Playa Dorado area that we stayed in was nicknamed "Little Canada" as the Canadian tourists out numbered the others by 9 to 1.
If you are used to Queensway driving then consider DR driving as 500 times worse. You and your families safety is more important and the taxi service is excellent. check the posting boards at your hotel for rates of fares from your hotel to your chosen destination.
Shopping in Pueto Plata is considerablely cheaper but if and when I get to go again(planning my next trip already) I would use my tourist dollars in Sosua. The main street has alot to offer and the restaurants are great. A wonderful snorkelling area and the beaches are spectacular. (short 30 minute taxi drive from the Playa Dorado hotel complexes)
Canadian tourists by and large stand out in the crowd in the DR. We are very white (no tans) and usually tower over the local residents. Our size gives us away as we experienced. My daughter who is twelve was taller then most of the other children by about 18 inches.
As to safety, you will find that for the most part you will be confortable as long as you follow a few simple rules:
*Keep your jewelery at home, (even wedding rings and watches)
*Be home before dark . (Trust me that a full day in Sosua with the heat and the fun will make you want to turn in for a good nights rest anyway.)
*Buy the Beer. Drink in moderation and enjoy the local food. Presidente beer is a full bodied lager and quenches the thirst.(Hard liquor is great but can be de-hydrating and will exhaust you..although the Brugale rum is a wonderful treat)
*Don't flash the cash. Buy some pesos here in Canada, but the best rates are found in the DR (ask your tour rep for the best exchange rates and truth be told the hotel gives a good exchange rate)
*The sun is hot and the days are long. Pace yourself. And enjoy the moment.
And finally *** do a tour..something you always wanted to do...snorkeling and feed the fish...dolphin swim...monster truck tour of the country side...these tours are what makes a vacation great.
(P.S. and if you a re travelling during playoff ...ask the nearest Canadian tourist the scores of the game...they will be able to tell you ...
Cheers Toby

[ricktoronto]

Originally posted by toby

*Buy the Beer. Drink in moderation and enjoy the local food. Presidente beer is a full bodied lager and quenches the thirst.(Hard liquor is great but can be de-hydrating )
*Don't flash the cash. Buy some pesos here in Canada, but the best rates are found in the DR (ask your tour rep for the best exchange rates and truth be told the hotel gives a good exchange rate)

1. All alcoholic beverages dehydrate you beer included. Drink BOTTLED water too.

2. Don't buy pesos in Canada at all - if you want a few get them at the airport in the DR and even then not many. The worst exchange rates and fees are at Canada/US airport FX booths and prior to landing in the DR it is a total waste of money to say nothing of the fact the peso is falling like a stone. it will probably devalue in flight.

2 1/2. Truth be told, the hotels in the DR, AI's in particular, are also legendary for ripping off gringos for FX - the airport cambio is tolerable, the cambios in the town are where you go for pesos. And shop around but don't buy more than you need for a day or two.