What to bring?

RayNJ

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Feb 7, 2003
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I vacationing in DR for first time in March.
Usually when I go on vacation my feeling is "if i forget to pack it i can always buy it there."
I get the feeling this might not be the case in the DR, especially because I am NOT staying in an AI.
Any trip ESSENTIALS?
I am also getting an indication of everyday items in the US may be of great value in DR, such as batteries.
Should I load on batteries and use them to barter?
Any suggestions for a first time visitor would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Ray
 

KenoshaChris

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Jan 4, 2002
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I always bring some tanning lotion and a dozen condoms. I usually return with a sunburn and a dozen condoms.
 

Jan

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Want to look like a tourist...wear shorts always in the streets. Long pants to look more like a local. You can buy what you forget here. Do as I do when traveling. Start making a list of what you need to pack at least 1 week before. Then when you pack check it off. Works real good for the last minute stuff you always forget. Summer clothes and a light jacket is good.
Wouldn't bring batteries. You can get them here.
 

Cleef

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Feb 24, 2002
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Wheew!

KenoshaChris said:
I always bring some tanning lotion and a dozen condoms. I usually return with a sunburn and a dozen condoms.

That one caught me good today. Big laugh.

RayNJ, you should be able to find everything but the most special of specialty items.

If you plan on going out at night, definitely bring some formal wear; nice shoes, pants shirt. Even the guys laying cement, and climbing trees for coconuts wear a collared shirt and pressed pants...and I'm not kidding in the least.

Where will you be, and what are you planning on doing?
 

Escott

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Jan 14, 2002
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He also came back with a dose of ....

Only kidding. Sunburn is his natural color though!:)

You have received good advice about clothing. I wear pants and long sleeved shirts in the evenings and during the day if I have business to take care of.

Suntan lotion is pricey in the DR so bring what you need. Forget about bartering because you will only bring this stuff back with you. Bug spray is not mentioned but it should have been.

Have fun!
 

Chirimoya

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Dec 9, 2002
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I would say however hot it is going to be you will need a light jacket for the occasional cool evening AND if you are going to take a intercity bus because the air-conditioning blasts out at sub-zero arctic temperatures. I learnt the hard way!

Most of the things you will need are easily available in the DR, there are supermarkets in all major cities and colmados and farmacias everywhere.

Chiri
 

andy a

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Feb 23, 2002
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Batteries are extremely important. They are expensive in the DR and alkaline ones (nothing less is worth the trouble) are sometimes hard to find. You can never have too many. Take at least a couple of dozen AA size. They're especially cheap at Sam's Club - even cheaper on the internet.

LED keychain-sized flashlights are nice for special gifts. Not sold there (or in the US except on the web). They pack a punch but are 20 times or so more durable than regular flashlights. Lightwave and Photon each have very nice ones. If a chica with you has to go to the bathroom in a dark place and you hang one of them around her neck (to keep, of course), she'll be impressed. (You might not even have to take all the condoms back).

A few condoms already with you is convenient, but good ones are available for reasonable prices in the DR. Bareback brand, for example.

If you take a jacket at all, it should be very thin but water resistent. You're much more likely to need it to keep you dry than warm.

BTW, my experience comes from hobnobbing with the natives, not staying at AI's or tourist enclaves.
 

dale7

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With digital camera I at least bring 20 Alkaline batteries. Alarm clock because most non-AI's don't have one. Since I have Indian in me, I tan very easily but even I bring SPF 15 sunscreen for the first couple of days. I always stop at the dollar store and bring a couple bars of soap, little bottle of shampoo and conditioner, gel, etc and cram it all into a small bag. The way I figure it, a box of condoms will last 2-3 days so plan accordingly. Bring half cash, half traveler's checks. Always good to bring some small bottles of women's perfume, etc for gifts for a special lady. Make sure your hotel room has some type of safe, that is a must for me, way above air conditioning. Bring extra toothbrushes and soap for any guests you might have, you don't want to share them. Drink only bottled water or from establishments that have purified water, brushing teeth included. I guess I am just giving pointers, hope I didn't get too off track.
dale7(have a great trip)
 

RayNJ

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Feb 7, 2003
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All great info.
The input by all is appreciated.

What about exchanging U.S. $$$........
I understand the rate is at about 21 pesos/u.s.$.
Is that accurate?
Where is the best place to exchange u.s.$ or traveler's checks?
 

andy a

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Feb 23, 2002
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Don't forget viagra.

If you can get it of course.

It's sold over the counter (like most drugs) in the DR, but costs maybe twice what it does in the States. Also, it might be counterfeit.

It's a nice gift to cabdrivers, bellhops, etc. Might help you get better rates and service.
 

debs

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Jun 10, 2002
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Re: Don't forget viagra.

andy a said:
It's a nice gift to cabdrivers, bellhops, etc. Might help you get better rates and service.

andy a - Do you seriously tip with Viagra? I've never met a Dominicano who needed that! I'm sure cash would be more appreciated ;)

More things for you to bring RayNJ:

- if you wear contact lenses, pack an extra pair
- if you're bringing a digital camera, pack an extra memory card unless you're travelling with a laptop

Hope you have a wonderful trip!
 

RayNJ

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Feb 7, 2003
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So at least I am not the only one who thought it would be unusual to tip with Viagra!
Strange practice, and expensive tip too!
I think I'll save those for myself.
:cool:
 

rendul

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Feb 24, 2002
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I always suggest to people to bring their own First Aid Kits and stomach remedies. First aid ointments and stomach aids, bandages, etc. are very much more expensive in the D.R. and they are good for tips particularly aspirin, tylenol, bandages and the like. Antibiotic creams are good too! :cool:
 

andy a

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Feb 23, 2002
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I don't recall using the word "tip" - more like primary payment. I think that I said "gift" for someone whose friendship you're cultivating.

In the case of viagra, yes I usually keep it for myself - although I don't need it either - can't find partners to try it on. Actually, a corollary of Murphy's law is at work here - "if you're prepared for something, it won't happen". Spontaneous sex (unprepared) is better than no sex.

Yes, Dominican men often ask me to get them some viagra.
 

debs

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Jun 10, 2002
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It's a nice gift to cabdrivers, bellhops, etc. Might help you get better rates and service.

Sorry andy, when I read the above, it sounded like a "tip" to me. I find it hard to believe a cab driver would accept Viagra as a method of primary payment, but whatever. He must be making a nice profit from it selling to someone else.
 

KenoshaChris

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No Sunburn & Dozen Condoms

Yup. Returned yesterday and the weather on the north coast was very cloudy resulting in returning with no sunburn, 12 condoms and oh yeah, I forgot--10 Viagra
 

Musicqueen

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Jan 31, 2002
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Do you mean to tell me you were in the North Coast at the same time as me, and didn't let me know?

Oh, well...I returned with a good suntan...no condoms and my guys never need viagra!!! (J/K :) )