Love DR and will continue to go back stayed at the Sofitel Frances most beautiful intimate hotel in the Zona Colonial.
Just got back from Dominican Republic overall a great trip however the best spanish phrase to know is:
"Cuanto es" LOL
Translated that means "How Much" at most local shops everything is negotiable. All your conversations when purchasing food or service and a there isn't a menu or price tag around should include those words.
All Tourists/Locals (yep they ran the scam on the locals also) should be WARNED about the following scam I've seen run at the beach in BOCA CHICA CONSISTENTLY.
As soon as you drive/walk up to the beach assuming you will be hit by greeted by men whistling and yelling to come over to there area of the beach where they will rent you a table with chairs and a lounge chair to sunbathe if you like... Warning if you drive and park you must pay 20 pesos to the "Administration" that's it only 20 pesos to that person with a badge do not I repeat do not pay any to watch your car if you drove the car is very safe.
The local scamartists oops businessmen lol will rent you a table and chairs for approximately 500 pesos and a lounge chair for approximately 200 pesos. Negotiate 350 for the Table including chairs and 200/150 for the lounge chair a fair price that leaves them a nice profit.
Once you've started to relax at your area:
Do NOT, Do NOT, Do NOT (get the point) purchase anything from the person(s) that sold you the table or lounge chair (Why you might say remember the top "Cuanto es"):
A) You aren't presented with a menu set in stone Prices as if at a reputable place of business. Thus buyer beware
.
The scam is if you order anything from the scamartists they give you a final bill totaling at a minimum 4000 pesos to which they try to negotiate something lower but you have still overpaid by almost 60 to 80 dollars american for food/drinks directly from the stand vendors.
For example if you walk over to any of the food stands and order your meal the person who manages the stand will bring the food over to your table at the beach "DELIVERY FREE OF CHARGE." You have the option of paying the person that manages the food stand directly before the meal or after the meal I would pay before hand the average price of a large fish and side dishes range about 290 Pesos per person.
The above prices leave a nice profit for the seller bear this in mind as I'm not trying to get the cheapest price just a fair one.
If you follow the above you should have a nice time at Boca Chica if any issues arise beyond what was agreed upon immediately locate the Tourist Police don't negotiate go to the Tourist Police and explain your situation all will be worked out amicably. As the Tourist Police are aware of the scam on the beach.
Just got back from Dominican Republic overall a great trip however the best spanish phrase to know is:
"Cuanto es" LOL
Translated that means "How Much" at most local shops everything is negotiable. All your conversations when purchasing food or service and a there isn't a menu or price tag around should include those words.
All Tourists/Locals (yep they ran the scam on the locals also) should be WARNED about the following scam I've seen run at the beach in BOCA CHICA CONSISTENTLY.
As soon as you drive/walk up to the beach assuming you will be hit by greeted by men whistling and yelling to come over to there area of the beach where they will rent you a table with chairs and a lounge chair to sunbathe if you like... Warning if you drive and park you must pay 20 pesos to the "Administration" that's it only 20 pesos to that person with a badge do not I repeat do not pay any to watch your car if you drove the car is very safe.
The local scamartists oops businessmen lol will rent you a table and chairs for approximately 500 pesos and a lounge chair for approximately 200 pesos. Negotiate 350 for the Table including chairs and 200/150 for the lounge chair a fair price that leaves them a nice profit.
Once you've started to relax at your area:
Do NOT, Do NOT, Do NOT (get the point) purchase anything from the person(s) that sold you the table or lounge chair (Why you might say remember the top "Cuanto es"):
A) You aren't presented with a menu set in stone Prices as if at a reputable place of business. Thus buyer beware
.The scam is if you order anything from the scamartists they give you a final bill totaling at a minimum 4000 pesos to which they try to negotiate something lower but you have still overpaid by almost 60 to 80 dollars american for food/drinks directly from the stand vendors.
For example if you walk over to any of the food stands and order your meal the person who manages the stand will bring the food over to your table at the beach "DELIVERY FREE OF CHARGE." You have the option of paying the person that manages the food stand directly before the meal or after the meal I would pay before hand the average price of a large fish and side dishes range about 290 Pesos per person.
The above prices leave a nice profit for the seller bear this in mind as I'm not trying to get the cheapest price just a fair one
.If you follow the above you should have a nice time at Boca Chica if any issues arise beyond what was agreed upon immediately locate the Tourist Police don't negotiate go to the Tourist Police and explain your situation all will be worked out amicably. As the Tourist Police are aware of the scam on the beach.