Travelling Alone- Better to Stay in S.D. or Boca Chica

monag14

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Jan 28, 2005
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I only have two days in the Santo Domingo area. I want to spend some time in both Santo Domingo and Boca Chica. Any advice on the better place to stay? Any advice on affordable hotels. I want something affordable, but I'll be on my own, so I also want something safe and comfortable.
 

jrzyguy

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May 5, 2004
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monag14 said:
I only have two days in the Santo Domingo area. I want to spend some time in both Santo Domingo and Boca Chica. Any advice on the better place to stay? Any advice on affordable hotels. I want something affordable, but I'll be on my own, so I also want something safe and comfortable.

Well..it really all depends if you prefer the beach or the city. The nightlife nightlife in boca chica is kinda lame and by the latest news has even gotten worse. SO if you are looking to club or something i wouldnt stay there.

HOWEVER....if you are more of a beach bum...like me....Boca chica is convenient and cheap. You can stay at either el candil or costalunga and feel very safe for 40 bucks a night....and the hosts at both place are great (one of the owners at candil will even pick you up in person at the airport).

Getting from BC to SD is really easy durring the day. You can jump on a guagua and get there in about 20 minutes. Getting back to BC can be bit more ticky. I was told that the guaguas stop running around 6pm or so (around sunset)....so...after a day trip to SD you are stuck with the lame nightlife of boca chica.

I am not a big club person anymore (i just hit the grand old age of 40)...so just hanging out on the strip in BC was fine with me watching all the guys chica chasing (older american and euro men going after the many "working girls") Look for the thread big bust in boca chica tho. It seems like they have cracked down on that (for now).

There IS a disco and casino at the hamacca....a big all inclusive resort. SO perhaps you could hang out there at night. You can pay a modest cover to the disco and have an open bar. The casino is free. Alas i am not a gambler.

SOOOOOOOOOOO....i guess it all goes back to if you are more into the beach or more into the city. If you like the beach...most def BC....if you want night life SD (for now).

Let us know what you are looking to experience in either place...and i am sure folks here can come up with a definitive answer for you
 

monag14

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Jan 28, 2005
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Thank you. That was actually quite helpful.

I guess I honestly want a little beach and a little city. My ideal trip would be to spend the early part of the day on the beach, and then spend the late afternoon exploring Santo Domingo. In terms of going out, I'd like to go somewhere with locals and dancing that is somewhat tourist friendly (bearing in mind that I hate places that are full of tourists). I don't really like big clubs, but I do like places that have a chill vibe along with some dancing. Can anyone recommend any bars/clubs that fit that description?

It sounds like I am better off staying in Santo Domingo, but there is something that is quite appealing about waking up on the beach. This is what has me torn.
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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monag14 said:
also, how much is a cab between Boca Chica and Santo Domingo?

At least $30 or so each way - I hire a guy for 10 hours at a time for about $75 including gas when I want to do all day in the capital. Boca Chica is a lot cheaper and while there are not that many places on the beach ( Zapata, Don Emilio and the two AI's) it at least has one as SD has a filthy river estuary.

Unless you have good Spanish and a good sense of direction I would not recommend guaguas to any tourist to get to SD.
 

la flor

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Jan 6, 2005
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late night cab rides

looking for info- im flying into S.D. at 3am with my child. I need a cab to the Hamaca in Boca Chica. at that late hour will I be able to get a cab, I dont speak spanish, and I did read it should cost about 18$ US. I just dont want to get ripped off and how do you know if the driver is not some crazy person?
 

jrzyguy

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May 5, 2004
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I forgot to ask how the original posters spanish is. Mine is medium to poor...but i had no problem taking guagua into SD. The trick would be knowing where to actualy get off. I had only beein into the capital once before...but i almost missed el conde....i recognized something at one point and we got off. I think the idea of getting a driver for 10 hours is a good idea. THe hotels in boca chica can hook you up. IT might seem a bit pricey to spend $75....but you would be in good capable hands. You could go to the beach in the morning....then head into the city in the afternoon....walk around the colonial zone for a bit...grab something to eat. I just dont know what you would do from after dinner till the clubs get going later.

Another alternative i could think of...is doing one night in BC...do the beach for the day that you arrive...and the better part of the morning the following day....then head into the city and check in that afteroon. THat way you can check out a few of the sites durring the afternoon /evening....then chill at your hotel for a few hours till you want to go out later. Unfortunately i dont dont know any of the good...safe...budget minded hotels in SD...but i am sure someone here can help you out...or you can do some further research yourself

When are you going to be there? i will be around end of feb beginning march. You could always hop on a guagua with us.
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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la flor said:
looking for info- im flying into S.D. at 3am with my child. I need a cab to the Hamaca in Boca Chica. at that late hour will I be able to get a cab, I dont speak spanish, and I did read it should cost about 18$ US. I just dont want to get ripped off and how do you know if the driver is not some crazy person?

The going rate is US$18, (just ensure, in Spanish that you agree on the rate before you set out, write it down if you want to) and assuming there are taxis at 3 a.m. you may have to take what you can get - there are tourist taxis with a big seal on the door that says tourist taxi (Taxi Turistico) , so use one of them. If you are worried about an airport taxi driver waiting at the airport in the taxi queue with a official logo on the door you should either not go, arrange a ride in advance (call the hotel and see if they will send a car for say, $40) or arrive at a sane time of day.

Why assume or even question that the driver is "some crazy person"? Like in NYC etc., they are all professors and Kevin COstner bodyguard types I am sure.
 

monag14

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Jan 28, 2005
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I actually do speak some Spanish. Its far far far from perfect, but I've travelled all around Mexico and Puerto Rico before, so I'm pretty confident that I can get myself around with my Spanish. I'm actually going this weekend, so unfortunately, I won't be able to benefit from your guaga expertise.

If I decide to stay on the beach, what's the procedure for getting a cab in SD to go to BC? Can you hail one on the street? Do you need to call a cab to come pick you up from the club or bar?
 

helpmann

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May 18, 2004
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How Long You There?

jrzyguy said:
I forgot to ask how the original posters spanish is. Mine is medium to poor...but i had no problem taking guagua into SD. The trick would be knowing where to actualy get off. I had only beein into the capital once before...but i almost missed el conde....i recognized something at one point and we got off. I think the idea of getting a driver for 10 hours is a good idea. THe hotels in boca chica can hook you up. IT might seem a bit pricey to spend $75....but you would be in good capable hands. You could go to the beach in the morning....then head into the city in the afternoon....walk around the colonial zone for a bit...grab something to eat. I just dont know what you would do from after dinner till the clubs get going later.

Another alternative i could think of...is doing one night in BC...do the beach for the day that you arrive...and the better part of the morning the following day....then head into the city and check in that afteroon. THat way you can check out a few of the sites durring the afternoon /evening....then chill at your hotel for a few hours till you want to go out later. Unfortunately i dont dont know any of the good...safe...budget minded hotels in SD...but i am sure someone here can help you out...or you can do some further research yourself

When are you going to be there? i will be around end of feb beginning march. You could always hop on a guagua with us.
jrzyguy,

I arrive in Boca Chica March 2 (I just finished an 18-day BC vacation 2-weeks ago.) I may stay in BC the entire 12 days, but I may head to the North Coast or to Cuba. How long do you plan to stay in Boca Chica?

-Helpmann
 

jrzyguy

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May 5, 2004
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helpmann said:
jrzyguy,

I arrive in Boca Chica March 2 (I just finished an 18-day BC vacation 2-weeks ago.) I may stay in BC the entire 12 days, but I may head to the North Coast or to Cuba. How long do you plan to stay in Boca Chica?

-Helpmann

I'll be leaving a couple of days after you arrive....so hey! perhaps we can grab a president and perhaps dinner or something. my friends are leaving a couple of days before me...so i will looking for folks to just hang out with.

Where you there for the big bust????
 

helpmann

On Vacation!
May 18, 2004
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Some Beers Would Be Nice

jrzyguy said:
I'll be leaving a couple of days after you arrive....so hey! perhaps we can grab a president and perhaps dinner or something. my friends are leaving a couple of days before me...so i will looking for folks to just hang out with.

Where you there for the big bust????
No, I wasn't. I was there from New Years through MLK weekend. I was there when Cosmos and Zanzibar closed, but not the "Big Bust." I am not too concerned though, I don't take girls from Duarte at night anyway.

I'll send you my contact info (hotel and DR#) via PM.

-Helpmann
 

NY GUY

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Jan 26, 2005
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If you guys do presidente's and chica chasing then im in ;) I will be there early March.
 

helpmann

On Vacation!
May 18, 2004
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Sounds Good!

NY GUY said:
If you guys do presidente's and chica chasing then im in ;) I will be there early March.
Sounds good!

I'll send you my contact info (hotel and DR#) via PM.

-Helpmann