I will be there! First timer!

delastdan said:

I'll be in SD February 27-March 4th with about 6 or 7 other guys, all in our 30's.

I have a bazillion questions but I'll only ask two.

I hear there's going to be a carnival that weekend for Independence day with the main event being on Sunday, Mar 2nd. Is that true and what's it like?

I see the current exchange rate is 1 USD to 40 RD. What does that mean exactly? Does that mean everything will be dirt cheap? I have to assume that things will even out, i.e. a regular dinner, nothing fancy, will probably end up being the equivalent of what it is here, about $15-$25 USD which will be 600 to 1000 pesos.

A bottle of vodka is about $25 bucks here, I imagine it'll be about 1000 pesos.

Just trying to get an idea of the "real" prices on things.

Thanks!

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Let me guess, the questions being left out are the ones like "where to get the finest and cheapest hoes?"

As for things being cheap, I never eat in fancy restaurants but you'll get used to the idea of eating rice during the middle of the day. Something I normally never do.

The menu of the day (and I'm talking about every restaurant down the corner, not talking about the high ends) could be bought for 150 DOP if not less. My during the day meals are always a Big Mac Menu or anything in that reach which cost more and is less healthy. So food is just a little bit cheaper, but also the kind of cheaper that you think like the hell with it I'll buy an extra.

As for traveling, I never took the green city bus (like the official buses) and the metro so I can't talk about those prices. You've got these buses that are a bit smaller up to they can only hold 6 people but you're forced to share them with 12, they cost 25 up to 30 DOP which is also a lot cheaper than I'm used to but also a lot less comfortable! But if you with 6 or 7 guys and you find a bus like that it's a party!

Cabs are also way cheaper! Make sure you get a price before taking a ride, if you're taca?o like me you'll ask all the drivers standing there on that spot to see which one is cheaper but still has a decent looking ride. (you got people who have the nerves to drive with broken mirrors and doors) For example, El Conde (where I think you're probably going to stay) to El Malecon is for taca?os 150 DOP, for the average Joe 200 to 250 DOP and for those who don't know it could be 300 DOP. But in The States it would be more expensive anyway.

As for groceries, I can't tell anymore. Each day prices drop and go up for all certain products, I can't tell. I can tell that some type of breads are cheaper but then peanut butter is double. But at the end of the day it's almost the same and nothing to worry about.

As for going out, I'm not much as a drinker but I remember buying a large bottle of Brugal for 1000 DOP. But going out is going out, take money with you and you're straight! Also again, cabs to go home with are way cheaper than The States.

I think that covers a lot, at the end of the day you'll feel like everything is so damn cheap but what happens is that you overdo it cos normally you would only buy 1 drink so when it all hits you you got more but you've spent more than you thought you would do.

That's my experience.

Hmmmm... I'm betting on a pretty short ride or a very fast education. LOL

Taca?o said:

Let me guess, the questions being left out are the ones like "where to get the finest and cheapest hoes?"

That's my experience.

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Buying Vodka in the DR is definitely possible, but you may as well use white rum and save a bunch of money.

The thing to work out is what a typical "basket of goods" costs in pesos and then compare it to USD. A liter bottle of rum can be had for under $10(about 30 shots), but vodka is going to around the same price as in the US if it's imported.

Beer is cheaper in bars than in the US and more expensive in grocery stores. Imports will be around the same price or more.

In general it gets cheaper every time you come to the DR because you learn how to shop better and learn from other tourists and ex-pats. IMHO, too many people try to go too cheap and because they were trying to save $25-$50/day, they didn't get anywhere near the experience they could have. $100-$150/day is typical of day trip excursions and they are typically well run. Avoid booking through your hotel since they will get a hefty commission.

$15-$20 for dinner is a good budget after booze, tax and tip, esp if you are expecting beef. but it won't cover a fancy meal or eating at most US franchises. Eating at a Hooters or Johnny Rockets in the DR will be MUCH more than in the US. It's considered fancy dining down there. Avoid if at all possible along with pizza, unless you can find a place recommended by another tourist or ex-pat. Dominican service tends to be VERY slow so a 45-60 minute wait is not unheard of even when a place seems relatively empty. They very often prep all the food to order.

You can definitely eat on the cheap for $5-$10, but your options are going to be limited. Be careful of buffet type meals since it is the tropics and a buffet at 80-90 degrees for 3 hours isn't likely to be safe. Fried foods are safe foods.

delastdan said:

I'll be in SD February 27-March 4th with about 6 or 7 other guys, all in our 30's.

I have a bazillion questions but I'll only ask two.

I hear there's going to be a carnival that weekend for Independence day with the main event being on Sunday, Mar 2nd. Is that true and what's it like?

I see the current exchange rate is 1 USD to 40 RD. What does that mean exactly? Does that mean everything will be dirt cheap? I have to assume that things will even out, i.e. a regular dinner, nothing fancy, will probably end up being the equivalent of what it is here, about $15-$25 USD which will be 600 to 1000 pesos.

A bottle of vodka is about $25 bucks here, I imagine it'll be about 1000 pesos.

Just trying to get an idea of the "real" prices on things.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

depends on where you stay. if you are near zone colonial, pretty much everything is expensive because it is a major tourist attraction. if you go down el conde to the jumbo express you can get decent sized bottles of liquor for pretty cheap (150 to 200 pesos) but the cigars are gonna be expensive, especially if you want cuban. if you get a chance take a ride out to santiago if you are interested in cigars. a lot cheaper out of town. i just got back friday, i was out there for almost 3 weeks. my hotel was right in the middle of zone colonial. it's a beautiful country with beautiful women.. you'll enjoy yourself.

also, ONLY exchange in REAL banks (Popular, ScottNovia) do NOT go through the casa cambios. the exchange rate when i left was almost 41 to 1, so 100 US is around 4100 pesos. if you use the ATM you will be charged around 9 bucks US (they charge twice) so you should probably get money out before you leave, and only exchange a set amount. put the rest of the cash up in your room safe, with your passport.

Buy Booze at the duty free at SDQ-airport. Buy beers at colmados not at bars/clubs when you can.

Most tourist and upscale restaurants charge taxes at are high. All of the foreign chain restaurants are expensive. Most of smaller local restaurants have a lunch specials.

take advantage of ladies nights and happy hours.

Its easy to spend a lot of money in a capital city even in 3rd world countries. Budget your money like any other country and take your time looking for the good deals.

delastdan said:

That did not even cross my mind...hehe

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Cool.

Tacano has a one track mind!!!

delastdan said:

Hmm, I thought casa cambios were a safe bet too. is that not so?

Also, what hotel did you stay at and how was that experience?

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i stayed at the Hotel Francis, right on Arzobispo Merino @ Las Mercedes.




its a little pricey but it's a small hotel with a very friendly staff that really makes you feel at home. this hotel isn't really "guest friendly" in that if someone comes to see you they must present their identification and you must pay 25 U.S. PER PERSON. found that out the hard way..

overall because it is so close to zone colonial it's a great way to see the sites on foot. i loved it

What's the cost per night there? I couldn't find a webpage.
===
OK got it $135/night and up... no thanks.

Beer, stupid expensive and crap, I dunno what the score is but unless you get your beer served at an exact temperature then it tastes horrid. 1 out of 5 beers will not be perfect, depends how tight the owner is with the fridges through the night.
Rum is well priced but dangerous, I've never come across an alcoholic drink as dangerous as the Brugal from DR.
Good red label vodka is RD800 per 75cl.
Eating in a touristy area will set you back RD350 for pork chops and rice or fries with a little salad. Salads are really difficult to get in DR, it sounds odd as it is normal to get salad on a sandwich but if you ask any typical dominican sandwich bar for a salad separate they will look at you like you just asked for spicy pig wings. McSandwich meal is Rd220.
Don't get cabs from ranks they overcharge, don't use the cabs from El Conde they will overcharge.
Stay away from prostitutes, they are really unfashionable these days, it used to be cool to go with hookers, but now only the uncoolest of the uncool desperadoes go to whore houses. There is a wide variety of easy girls available who will bed you for a night out on the town.
have fun and keep off the drugs.
If you take out alcohol from your budget then you need only spend a small amount of cash, unfortunately the nature of the drunken beast is spend like crazy.
I stopped drinking and my outgoings are cut by 70%, it is a really expensive place to be an alcoholic unless you can stomach rum, and that on a regular basis will kill you and age you really quickly.

Hi:

When you come to the DR your best bet is to use your Debit/Credit card at bank ATMs. You will get the best exchange rate. The ATMs will give you cash in rdPesos only. As far as the exchange rate goes, even though it is 40/1 prices for the most part are Americanized. If you buy products at a super market local products, such as. produce, meat, Presidente Beer will be cheaper than in the US but other things that are imported will be more. As said before, Rum is very reasonable, Brugal or Barcelo are produced in the DR and are good quality. If you want to buy Vodka and you want Absolut or Stoli's you will pay considerably more than in the States. The same thing for Scotch. Again, anything imported has a lot of duty on it. Meals at a restaurant are usually very reasonable and a good value vs. the US. Remember this though, there are major taxes on most goods and services. This is now around 26% over and above the cost of your meal. This does not include tip. As far as Carnival there are people dressed in costume singing and dancing. It is a real party atmosphere but not wild like Rio. There are some events that take place in the Colonial Zone and also on the Malecon, which runs along the ocean. There are many clubs, casinos and ladies to "date". Just be careful and have fun.

LTSteve

make sure you tell your banker that you will be going to dr so they can set your debit card up for over seas travel and you have to go to your branch not call

delastdan said:

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

I also hear that you should not drink the water or even brush your teeth with it. Is that true?

Also, how about eating at restaurants and getting sick from the food.

D

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Just don't swallow the tap water, three or four drops are not going to give you Trujillo's revenge.
If you eat at a crowded place, chances are the food is fresh, not a bad idea to have HEP A/B shots, but that takes 6 months for the series. Bring Imodium and preservetivos!

Tamborista said:

Just don't swallow

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Good advice!!!