Is Boco Chica really that bad???

New2DR

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Dec 3, 2013
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I consider myself a seasoned traveller. I have been to many places around the world as well as lived overseas. I booked a vacation all inclusive with a good buddy to the don juan beach resort in Boco Chica because well Im sad to say it was CHEAP, I heard DR is beautiful And Ive already been to Mexico a few times. Bad news is my buddy has backed out because he heard it is too dangerous. I am pretty street smart and I dont plan on looking for girls or drugs so Im not too worried about it but I started doing some research on my own and a lot of people paint a really grim picture. I would rather talk to people that actually are more familiar so I joined this forum.
1. Safe to travel alone?
2. Safe to explore the city? I don' want to be stuck in my hotel room.
3. Safe at night?
4. Any tips or advice for a young canadian travelling alone for the first time in DR?
Sadly unlike my friend I am unable to get a refund just credit possibly so I guess I am just looking for some advice.
Thanks for your input and its a pleasure meeting everyone.
 

Smart

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Jun 16, 2012
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Boca is a bit grim. You will not avoid the offering of drugs and women throwing themselves at you, it is impossible to be male and (unless resident and them knowing your face) not face tho two obstacles. Personally Boca is a place I might pass through to call at the cash point, and then carry on my way up to Juan dolio, or a little further, Bavaro. Stay on the pedestrian area and your safe, early morning wandering around anywhere is a little unpredictable, especially if tanked up and not thinking straight. The restaurants are very much overpriced, the beer is expensive and the beach is nasty and full of hustlers, you will have a headache by the end of day one. Life and prices are very different for tourists than residents, you will be exploited to death.
Going into santo domingo is a bit of a ride, but keep touristy and friendly sober ish and you're safe enough.

Outside of tourist or well populated areas anywhere here, nothing at all good ever ever happens after dark, it's best not to investigate or get adventurous, not this time of year especially.

As far as exploring the beauty of this country, your not heading to the right area to seek beauty, probably the worst, sorry!

How long have you booked for?
 

rice&beans

Silver
May 16, 2010
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If you have BIG ONES, and you're on your game,

Boca is an adventure, take it for what it is..........Enjoy...





AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




And yes, I'm drunk.....
 

Mountaintrout

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Feb 9, 2013
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If you have BIG ONES, and you're on your game,

Boca is an adventure, take it for what it is..........Enjoy...





AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been to Cabrete and Lt. I liked LT better because the street vendors would go away after you said no a couple times ,Cabarete they would sit at our table for awhile not taking no for an answer. Is it safe to say BC is more like Cabarete and jd is more like LT? Thanks if you can help with this.
 

Smart

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Jun 16, 2012
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Cabarets is chilled out compared to Boca, you can't compare them, different worlds. If cabarets was a stress then avoid Boca. Cab has a nice crowd, Boca has dirty Dominicans and Haitians at your wallet constantly, no matter what you're doing. But some folk obviously have nice little haunts they stick to, finding these out and sticking to them while on vacation is not going to be chilled or easy.

But as is obvious from R&Bs post, different strokes, he enjoys it but is probably well known enough there now to avoid the BS.
 

Mountaintrout

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Feb 9, 2013
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Cabarets is chilled out compared to Boca, you can't compare them, different worlds. If cabarets was a stress then avoid Boca.

But as is obvious from R&Bs post, different strokes, he enjoys it but is probably well known enough there now to avoid the BS.
Thanks. Maybe not a stress, but annoying after awhile. Constant selling of whatever. Even if you bought an item the same guy would come back and try to sell you another one 10 minutes later.
 

rice&beans

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May 16, 2010
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I have been to Cabrete and Lt. I liked LT better because the street vendors would go away after you said no a couple times ,Cabarete they would sit at our table for awhile not taking no for an answer. Is it safe to say BC is more like Cabarete and jd is more like LT? Thanks if you can help with this.

Cabrete is nothing like Boca,

Boca is for "The smart & savvy"

It ain't slumming IT'S FUNNIN!!!!

Only smart guys will get that....


LET IT ALL HANG OUT...YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

rice&beans

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May 16, 2010
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Only smart guys will get that....

Point taken. Sometimes you just want to relax on vacation


U kno what I mean,

Boca is.....how can I put it...FOR TOUGH SAVVY PEOPLE........

If u can pull it off, and play THIER game..(Kinda) YOU'LL ALWAYS WIN IN THE END!!!!!!!!

Just play them like they're tryn to PLAY U,

Sorry FLYBYNITE......
 

Mountaintrout

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Feb 9, 2013
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U kno what I mean,

Boca is.....how can I put it...FOR TOUGH SAVVY PEOPLE........

If u can pull it off, and play THIER game..(Kinda) YOU'LL ALWAYS WIN IN THE END!!!!!!!!

Just play them like they're tryn to PLAY U,

Sorry FLYBYNITE......

No problem. In Cabarete I gave some vendors a rolled up 5 dollar bill, fake casino money that was being handed out on the beach. The Haitian guy fell for it twice:)
 

New2DR

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Dec 3, 2013
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so you would advise against drinking at the bars on the main strip and sticking to the hotel?
 

Smart

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Jun 16, 2012
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No, not at all. You'll go mad in the hotel, it's not much to speak of you know. Beer in plastic cups and the company of some paralytic Russian on his 21st birthday for the third night in a row trying to start a fight with you because you looked at his drink. Go out in the evening, it can be pleasant if you know where to stop off, actually the nights are not all that bad if you use your noggin and pretend to be gay. I used that for years on the Northcoast, 'sorry I'm with my boyfriend', gets rid of them, word gets around and you get left alone pretty much.
You're booked up now, try to enjoy it, but in future I'd recommend you do this research before you book.

Just enjoy and avoid drugs and you'll be fine. Good luck.
 

beastwood

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Jun 30, 2011
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so you would advise against drinking at the bars on the main strip and sticking to the hotel?

Stick to Duarte the main drag, and you'll be fine. Classy place no. Honky Tonk yes. Fun for a cheap ass like
Myself yes. Bars on Duarte safe ish yes. Variety of places to eat (dinner for two 18 or $20 usd) as the food at Don Juan is the grimmest part
Of BC. But the beach is fine however over run with barrio folks on the weekends..which is a given.

Juan Dolio is more chill, and the beach longer, wider and less populated if you can get there.
Beach Vendors in BC yes, buy a neckless, take a beach massage to support the locals, and then tell the rest no
gracias...by day two they will get the hint.
 

New2DR

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Dec 3, 2013
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any good bars you could recommend? Thanks Smart. and what is the best way to bring my cash? traveller cheques?
 

Julia31

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Jan 4, 2012
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Hey..I just came back from Don Juan..rooms are pretty old but if you only use them for taking a shower and sleeping its ok try to get a room facing the pool side..food is pretty decent (for a dominican 3 star)..grounds are very nice..the entertainment was VERY lame in November might be better in the main tourist season. You can def. go out at night!! We did it too and we are female. The nicest spot in Boca Chica for younger people is the "El Batey" disco which is also on Duarte (main street) at the end of the pedestrian zone left side
 

LTSteve

Gold
Jul 9, 2010
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BOCA CHICA is the probably the worst place in the DR to vacation. The beach people are rude, the women are the bottom of the barrel and the hotels are old. You get what you pay for. Have a nice day.

LTSteve
 

New2DR

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Dec 3, 2013
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Hey..I just came back from Don Juan..rooms are pretty old but if you only use them for taking a shower and sleeping its ok try to get a room facing the pool side..food is pretty decent (for a dominican 3 star)..grounds are very nice..the entertainment was VERY lame in November might be better in the main tourist season. You can def. go out at night!! We did it too and we are female. The nicest spot in Boca Chica for younger people is the "El Batey" disco which is also on Duarte (main street) at the end of the pedestrian zone left side

Thnx Julia. Nice to hear don Juan isnt that bad. I got a captain suite so hopefully its ok. Any places you can recommend on the main strip?
 

ctrob

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Nov 9, 2006
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No problem. In Cabarete I gave some vendors a rolled up 5 dollar bill, fake casino money that was being handed out on the beach. The Haitian guy fell for it twice:)

If you're being serious, you should catch the first plane out and never come back.
 

kaykat18987

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Nov 25, 2013
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I went one month ago to belive hamaca in boca chika and ive been before to the public beach on the side. My bf is dominican so i didnt have any probs. for sure it helped alot. We had fun. Banana ride behind a boat. Might ask u for 200 peso or more but u can get it for 150. Dont pay more. Jet ski for 30 min is 40$. Dont pay more. Sundays is forbiden ... Night life is quiet. Good club on the side of the belive hamaca resort good music ... But going alone u will get bored. Not much to do honestly. Get the refund or credit and wait for a friend. After my 2 days at the resort i was happy to get back to santo domingo ... No beach but there is a life. Have fun. I say wait for a buddy