I will be making my first trip to Sosua in March. I was wondering what things to bring with me and what not to bring. A couple of specifics: video camera, and or a digital camera. I understand customs can get a bit interesting with possessions. Thanks, looking forward to a great time. Staying at Hotel Europa.
- Thread starter large_e
- Start date
things to bring or not
Jimmydr said:
I agree they should be fired and imprisoned.
I once had many items stolen from my suitcase by baggage handlers. Politur never made arrests or recovery at pop airport. This woiuld have been an easy case, INTERIGATE all baggege handlers who handle the baggages for my flight.
You can bring your camaras
put the batteries in you check-in luggage before you leave. The Security people are trying to be more Catholic than the Pope and taking batteries is just one of their idiotic moves. Another, that they did tome, was to break off the file on my nail clippers, that were in my luggage.
Wrap the batteries in different, dirty underware so that they are not all together...Better yet, just say NO! to them if they attempt to take them. Might raise a few eyebrows.
When you come take one of the fliers that are available at most airports telling you what or what not to go in your luggage and show it to them.. Be firm and be polite and make sure you smile a bit.
This should never be a problem.
Apart from that, bug spray for the evenings and sum block for the daytime. No need to get sun burned and ruin your fun...
HB
put the batteries in you check-in luggage before you leave. The Security people are trying to be more Catholic than the Pope and taking batteries is just one of their idiotic moves. Another, that they did tome, was to break off the file on my nail clippers, that were in my luggage.
Wrap the batteries in different, dirty underware so that they are not all together...Better yet, just say NO! to them if they attempt to take them. Might raise a few eyebrows.
When you come take one of the fliers that are available at most airports telling you what or what not to go in your luggage and show it to them.. Be firm and be polite and make sure you smile a bit.
This should never be a problem.
Apart from that, bug spray for the evenings and sum block for the daytime. No need to get sun burned and ruin your fun...
HB
i have never had a problem with my cam or batteries. But then i aways keep my cam in my carry on.
Uh...i hate to ask the original poster.....or others with hastles...if they are white or brown or black. I ask this as i have white looks...and i generaly get waved through customs. Arriving at SDQ they dont even open or scan my bags. HOwever a darker skinned (sorta dominican looking) friend had some problemswith security when he flew back (without me...the gringo). Because he LOOKED Dominincan but didnt speak spanish...which frustated the officers....but eventualy he got an english speaking one and got thru. so i THINK that if you LOOK dominican they will most likely go thru your stuff...but as a gringo looking tourist i tend to just breeze thru with not even a second glance.
One word of advise...unless you are completely fluent in spanish NEVER attempt to deal with the authorities in spanish....it can only make things worse. (I almost got in trouble that way). Any time i deal with airport security officials i dont speak one word in spanish (even with my last spanish name).
What do you DR1'rs thing about that? about not trying to use the language and playing dumb american (or canadian or euro) when dealing with airport security? Is that the right thing to do or wrong.
Oh...one last thing...dont pack sex toys in your bags. ON my first trip there someone warned me that a friend of theirs got locked up for 2 weeks for traveling with a dildo (can i say that word here?). Condoms are ok...but if you are into anything kink i think i would keep that home (luckily i am not that kinky nor do a travel with "toys")
Uh...i hate to ask the original poster.....or others with hastles...if they are white or brown or black. I ask this as i have white looks...and i generaly get waved through customs. Arriving at SDQ they dont even open or scan my bags. HOwever a darker skinned (sorta dominican looking) friend had some problemswith security when he flew back (without me...the gringo). Because he LOOKED Dominincan but didnt speak spanish...which frustated the officers....but eventualy he got an english speaking one and got thru. so i THINK that if you LOOK dominican they will most likely go thru your stuff...but as a gringo looking tourist i tend to just breeze thru with not even a second glance.
One word of advise...unless you are completely fluent in spanish NEVER attempt to deal with the authorities in spanish....it can only make things worse. (I almost got in trouble that way). Any time i deal with airport security officials i dont speak one word in spanish (even with my last spanish name).
What do you DR1'rs thing about that? about not trying to use the language and playing dumb american (or canadian or euro) when dealing with airport security? Is that the right thing to do or wrong.
Oh...one last thing...dont pack sex toys in your bags. ON my first trip there someone warned me that a friend of theirs got locked up for 2 weeks for traveling with a dildo (can i say that word here?). Condoms are ok...but if you are into anything kink i think i would keep that home (luckily i am not that kinky nor do a travel with "toys")
large_e said:
You have nothing serious to worry about. Keep valuables as you mention with you in carry-on. There is a 1% chance customs will even inspect you.
You have no problems...
I assume you are talking about DR customs. They have never bothered me and I am a packrat when I come through. If they were to show an interest in one of your items...you would just have to show some grit and they would back off. They are not able to do just anything they desire. They have to keep going up the chain of command to get approval...unless you just put your head down and walk away. Take whatever you want.
I assume you are talking about DR customs. They have never bothered me and I am a packrat when I come through. If they were to show an interest in one of your items...you would just have to show some grit and they would back off. They are not able to do just anything they desire. They have to keep going up the chain of command to get approval...unless you just put your head down and walk away. Take whatever you want.
Hillbilly said:put the batteries in you check-in luggage before you leave. The Security people are trying to be more Catholic than the Pope and taking batteries is just one of their idiotic moves. Another, that they did tome, was to break off the file on my nail clippers, that were in my luggage.
Wrap the batteries in different, dirty underware so that they are not all together...Better yet, just say NO! to them if they attempt to take them. Might raise a few eyebrows.
When you come take one of the fliers that are available at most airports telling you what or what not to go in your luggage and show it to them.. Be firm and be polite and make sure you smile a bit.
This should never be a problem.
Apart from that, bug spray for the evenings and sum block for the daytime. No need to get sun burned and ruin your fun...
HB
HB,
Dirty underwear in your luggage? Argh......
Scottie
jrzyguy said:
There is an art to playing dumb with Airport Security at SDQ. I have done it so MANY times it probably wont work for me any longer now that I am mentioning it. They say I look Dominican, but I honesty know very little Espanol. So they always talk to me in Spanish. The trick is to appear interested and willing to understand what is asked or said. And reply with your bad Espanol saying something that is completely wrong. All while appearing to want to "get it right."
After few lines they give up and move on. Works everytime.
TEHAMA
jrzyguy said:
Considering they sell "toys" like that in the DR at adult stores I highly doubt your friend of a friend's story. Especially since mine have been pulled out at SDQ, the guy smiled and mumbled something about a "tigre" and put them back. I just laughed.
That would be great to be arrested especially if you bought it in one of the stores in the DR, let's say if you were on your honeymoon and wanted something to remember the DR by in that sort of way.
If you stick to your point, you will win eventually. I am told alot of things at the airport, what I can bring and what I can't. I do what I feel is easy for me and they simply let you go. Once a security man tried to take away my rechargeable batteries from me. I was only allowed to take batteries that were in my digital camera and the rest (6) batteries he tried to keep. I aid, "no no no" and took them from him and checked them in luggage in a small tiny package that delta airlines agent provided for me. When I got to NYC I got my little package come in wit regular luggage and I was all set to go. I never let them take away anything from me. You are in DR, not in a rebel controlled territory in colombia. So stay calm and keep yout cool. everything works out fine.
By the way, speaking of sex toys: Atlanta airport TSA is under law suit by a woman who was embarrassed by the airport security who took out her sex toy in front of passengers and made fun of it. Hahahahaha
AZB
By the way, speaking of sex toys: Atlanta airport TSA is under law suit by a woman who was embarrassed by the airport security who took out her sex toy in front of passengers and made fun of it. Hahahahaha
AZB