First time in SD, Do i have everything right?

First off, the guns the guards carry at resorts are shotguns, not machine guns. And that the resorts are heavily policed is why they are safe. Now you are going to a big city which is much less safe on the whole. Don't flash bling or money, don't walk around at night looking like a tourist. The zone is nice but a few days is enough
The late hours of your flights makes it interesting. Pay for an extra day so you don't have to sit at the airport for hours.
P.S. You need to read beyond the headlines, to call the current immigration situation "racial cleansing" is na?ve and unintelligent.

Common sense rules the day. Don't get so drunk that you are stumbling around alone. Take reputable taxis late at night. Negotiate taxi fares before you get in.

Keep a small amount of money in one pocket, a little bit more in another pocket, money belt or your sock. If you have a problem you only lose a little bit. Leave your passport, jewelry and the bulk of your cash in the safe at the hotel. Carry a photocopy of your passport in your pocket.

You probably won't have a problem, but you do need to think about what you are doing, where you are going, who you are hanging with and have an exit plan.

Take note of those around you and don't be afraid to make eye contact with those looking at you. If you even suspect something is "funny" leave, move closer to a group of people.

If you are one to partake of the seedier aspects of the city, your chances of encountering problems increases accordingly.

Have fun.

Hey whatsup, and welcome, for sure if you have the option to book the transfer direct from your hotel is the best option and less stress. A taxi from the airport cost arround 40.00 Dollars, so if you are 2 personas then not diferences.

About the safety I can tell you, like every city in the world you must have a lot common sence, avoid dark areas and streets, dont use gold rings or watchs, and your cellphone keep it your pocket and all will be fine.

Colonial Zone is under renovations and works are like 80% finished you will enjoyed there, and you will love it.

About local rest there are tons, and yes there are more rest where is JW Marriot at Blue Mall, also visit Agora Mall, and Sambil Shopping Mall.

Also Los tres ojos is a good adventure.

If you are intrested in visit other places send me a pvt message.

Enjoey your vacations, a very good for you to visit also Santo Domingo.

Hi nyc2sdq!

The usual, if you are staying at the crowne be careful on the Malecon at late hours, during the day it should be totally fine, you will have 2 nice parks close enough to go walking.
Colonial zone is a great place, you can go walk in El Conde and see some stores, also have a great Pizza at Segazona, if you are looking for a drink there is Beer Market a block away from Segazona with a great selection of beer.
Book a transfer online, is the safest thing, what company will you use? Plus 21USD is a bargain.

If you are looking to hang around JW Mariott, there is a nice bar called Dock it's really nice, drinks are great and at a great price.
There is a couple of restaurant close with really nice food ( Ignore Fridays, Hooters, Outback everything there seems too american for me, deep fried, cheese and marinara sauce - No offense to my USA friends).

Price Range $ Not expensive = less than 7 USD per dish
$$$$$ More than 22USD per dish

Restaurant you could visit:

Adrian Tropical - George Washington (couple of blocks away from Crowne) - Dominican Food $$$
Alfresco - Really Great food Street: Ortega y Gasset $$$
Chef Pepper Great Burgers and Grill for a really affordable price Street: Gustavo Mejia Ricart Price $$$
Yokomo Sushi - Sushi the dominican way is excellent - Street: Romulo Betancourt - $$$
Ilforno - One of the best pizzas in town Street: In front of JW Mariott $$$
Toston Gourmet - Everything here has a fried Plantain, food is great and really creative, Street: Bol?var Almost Lincoln, Plaza Cinevisi?n
Hoped you liked my selection, hope I've helped.

nyc2sdq said:

Hey everyone,

I'm coming from NYC going to SDQ arriving around 2AM. Should i book airport transfer online? seems like a safe bet for $21 (Per person roundtrip) Staying at the crowne plaza

I've read a lot about safety and security while in Santo Domingo. I picked to vacation here because i have already been to punta cana and puerto plata. Both places were nice but i wanted to see the real city, or atleast something not behind a machine gun guard at a resort.

It seems that i shouldn't walk around when its dark out? How accurate it this? I won't be walking around with a rolex or flashing around my iPhone. I keep hearing about the crime and violence from people around me when i tell them i'm going to SD. Is this true?

I'm going to spend most of my time in Colonial zone, maybe a day trip to los tres ojos. Should i venture to the new district for better restaurants? Near the JW Marriott?

Also I'm leaving late night on a 3AM flight, What are your suggestions for my last day? Hotel check out is noon, i have about 12 hours of time before i would need to go to the airport! I'm up for anything!

PS. With this current news of racial "cleansing" how will this effect us if it will at all?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Airport transfer to your Crown Plaza is the best bet and at that price very good. It will cost you nearer $80 if you use a regular taxi round trip at that time of night.

Use taxis which will cost you 250RD to get to anywhere central in the city. Best tip is to get the name and number of the taxi driver and he will be at hand to take you on all your trips.

You are on the Malecon at that hotel and whilst walking around daytime is OK if you take the usual precautions, it does have a reputation for opportunist robberies at night even amongst Dominicans. Sundays are quite lively there.

Zona Colonial is a safe bet daytime and relatively safe at night providing you stick to the central areas and get your taxi back to hotel.

The central areas Piantini and Naco have a good selection of Malls and restaurants. Cinemas in the Malls and most films are in English with Spanish subtitles. Blue Mall and Agora Mall are names to recognize. Marriott is in Blue Mall. You will love SDO traffic.

Why don't you consider spending the last day at Boca Chica prior to flying out. Not my favorite place but the beach is decent and it is very close to the airport and you could pick up a very cheap hotel to bide you last few hours. And it gives you a chance to see one of the seedy resorts in DR where sex tourism prevails. And it is fun watching the action on the main street after 7pm when they close it to traffic. Other posters can tell you more.

Oh yeaaah! Visit Boca Chica!
I can give you a free personal tour!

You should be fine walking around Colonial Zone at night, I do every time I go, but I am aware of my surroundings and I am never flashy with clothes, money or jewelry! Left all my good stuff in Canada so I look like a pauper here.

Like others said general common sense when traveling applies.

I like Lulu's Tasting Bar in CZ, really cool atmosphere.

Ask to your hotel for a Late Checkout so that way you can leave the hotel late and they will charge a fee.

If you are alot into burgers, you should check:

Mustards
Great variety of burgers, not the common patty, cheese lettuce tomato and onion ones!
Really crazy combination!
Each month they have the Burger of the month
Prices go up to 12USD per burger.
Street: Federico Geraldino
If using google maps: 18.468452,-69.934306

This is their burger of the month, is a french burger:


Feel free to PM me if you need any help or want some attractions.

Start at Tiradentes with Gustavo Mejia Ricart, have a meal at any of the restaurants (dozens on the avenue), or enter any of the night spots on the same avenue, and then walk down that avenue until you get to Blue Mall. Have a late night drink at the Vertygo Bar and then take a hotel taxi back to your hotel.

The SDQ Airport is not all that comfy, but I have stayed there overnight, and it is safe, at least in the well-lit areas near the various restaurants.
There seem to be several dozen fellow travelers waiting to depart or pick up planes arriving from Europe.

The food at the airport is about average, somewhat pricier than downtown SD. People are friendly.

IEatTravelnCode said:

If you are alot into burgers, you should check:

Mustards
Great variety of burgers, not the common patty, cheese lettuce tomato and onion ones!
Really crazy combination!
Each month they have the Burger of the month
Prices go up to 12USD per burger.
Street: Federico Geraldino
If using google maps: 18.468452,-69.934306

This is their burger of the month, is a french burger:

Feel free to PM me if you need any help or want some attractions.

Click to expand...

==============================
Being as I love burgers, I looked this one up online.
The reviews are not as good as I expected, especially regarding the service. I have not been there, so I have no personal comments.

The full address is Ingeniero Roberto Pastoriza esquina (corner) Federico Geraldino.
It is one block from 27 de Febrero, the main drag, It seems to be north of 27

I take those middle of the night flights. I pay for a room "an extra day" at each end. Hanging out in the CZ is safe as anywhere else. Take an official tour. They have badges. Walk up to las ruins sanfransisco.

If you aren't drunk or looking to score drugs you'll be fine.

nyc2sdq said:

Thanks everyone! your replies are all welcomed and i'll be taking down some tips

ieattravelncode - 21 roundtrip (shared van) via expeida.com

Keep them coming! id love to hear what more of you think!

Click to expand...

Check out the attached link which has good reading and will give you ideas what to do and see in SDO.

Dominican Republic Travel | Places to visit in Dominican Republic | Rough Guides

Xavier_Onassis said:

==============================
Being as I love burgers, I looked this one up online.
The reviews are not as good as I expected, especially regarding the service. I have not been there, so I have no personal comments.

The full address is Ingeniero Roberto Pastoriza esquina (corner) Federico Geraldino.
It is one block from 27 de Febrero, the main drag, It seems to be north of 27

Click to expand...

Hey Xavier!

Well, I've been only 3 times, the service is slow, but what the hell they are great burgers, first time I got there it took around 15 min to get our orders, but they place was packed.
You should try it for sure.

It's touristy because it is pretty good. Sort of.

So that mansion across the plaza u know by now is relic of the Christopher Columbus era. It is the epicenter of wedding photographs, videos, telenovelas and such. When you walk back to plaza colon at the end of the Conde (pedestrian street) keep going past the cathedral. You will note the streets are newly paved. Keep walking and go to lulus on your left in a little plaza. Touristy and popular with fancy Doms. Prettiest ladies you'll find, dining with their handsome husbands and novios.