I need assistance from the board members - please

You've come to the right place

I sent you a PM to answer most of your questions. But don't get ripped off by a taxi driver at the SDQ Airport. Rates will go from $30 USD to $35 USD for a taxi ride.

Use American Money at the airport for the taxi, tourist card only. Then use pesos. It is not hard to convert and you will "fit-in" better and not appear to be a tourist.

Ok to use the Big Bank ATMs - Most smaller Hotels (Not the BIG Chains) like it if you pay cash when you check-out (Pesos) and a couple encourage it by giving a 5% discount.

PM me for any questions.

Have a good trip!

:squareeye

Florie said:

The plan is to stay in SD for a couple of days and head towards Sosua. Is there guaguas or mini vans that make the route? What is the cost? How long does it take? I am fluent in Spanish so the language will not be a barrier.

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Caribe Tours would be a much better option.
Safer, cheaper and faster.
Caribe Tours C. Por A.
Leaving Santo Domingo for Sosua at 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 AM & Noon 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 PM

DAKRA said:

PM me for any questions.

Have a good trip!

:squareeye

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It would be way nicer for questions to be openly discussed on the board - then others can learn from the answers.

Florrie, the Santo Domingo crowd can answer in terms of hotels and how to get from the airport into SD. I've seen people suggest on the board to walk out of the airport and as soon as you get out, there is a bunch of transportation that you can take ... I've not done this myself and I'm not sure if I would do it even now, arriving in a new country. It is way safer to take a taxi from the airport to your hotel.

For getting to Sosua, Caribbetours as Rocky said. It is cheap, safe and quick.

Hotel Mercure in the CZ had rooms online at $44U.S. a nite and that included breakfast

Florie said:

FYI: The Hotel Mercure is not found using google and other search engines. When searching for Hotel Mercure I pulled other unrelated info such as mercure issues in the water of DR.

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Hotel Maison Gautreaux... En Santo Domingo, Algo Distinto. has been recommended on the board before and if you put hotels Santo Domingo into search above there are more

When arriving in SDQ airport, I found its a little cheaper ( $5-$10 less) to go upstairs to the ( Departure area )and find a taxi. You will be swarmed by hacks at the arrival section, quite intimidating but it only last a few minutes.
Average rate to the capital $25-$35 US.
On a budget, I would strongly suggest Hotel Mercure $44.00 per nite if booked on line in advance also its non refundable. The Hotel is located in the Colonial Zone on a promenade called El conde. Its safe, clean, and close to a few attractions.
There are a few cambios located in the immediate area just shop around for the best rate but ( NEVER EXCHANGE VIA PERSON TO PERSON ).
Caribe tours is your best bet to go up North. Its about 4-6 hrs depending on traffic and the bus will be freeeeeeeeezing. just my 2 cents.

Florie said:

When I arrive at the airport, is there mini-vans that Is there guaguas .
If there is information that it will be helpful to make my vacation flow easily

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Teacher? Hmmm?

iF YOU ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A REALLY NICE HOTEL IN sANTO dOMINGO CHECK OUT THE HOTEL ATRAZANA IN ZONA COLONIAL. IF YOU CALL OR EMAIL THEM THEY WILL HAVE A TAXI FOR YOU AT THE AIRPORT. I CAN RECCOMEND THIS HOTEL HIGHLY.Http://www.hotel-atarazana.com/

I don't know much about Santo Domingo but needed to stay there for one night last week. We put our faith in a taxi driver who we asked to take us to a decent but inexpensive hotel. He took us to a place that I think was called Mansion Primaveral which I was pleasantly surprised to be 900 pesos per night, the AC worked well, the room was clean with 2 beds, and was in an ok area. I am not sure what neighborhood it was it but it was a short walk to where all the big Juan Bosch pictures were and el Conde.

I just googled it and it may be called Hostal Primaveral La Mansion - 809-686-5562.

Safe?

The Colonial Zone is as safe as most major cities through out the world. The have police along with tourist police, pretty much every where. Many historical monuments, shops and resturants within walking distance. As long as you follow the universal rules of travelling such as don't travel at night alone, stay clear of dark areas, and dont flash cash or valubles you should be okay. If you want a taste of the culture then Hotel Arazana is great. If your just going stay inside and rest then Hotel Maison might be better. But keep in mind you'll have to take taxis everywhere from Maison. The area is reasonable safer but nothing to do in the immediate area.
Working girls hmmm! They are working girls in the Colonia Zone, but they are discreet. They don't stand on corners flagging people down and they don't really dress provocative, you probaly won't even recognize them.

Ive stayed at the Mercure. ( Hotel Mercure Comercial Santo Domingo: book your Mercure hotel in SANTO DOMINGO ) It's another place with small, but clean, decently appointed rooms. The breakfast buffet is great. I got a webrate of about $60 including all taxes recently. One of the best (and still very reasonable) authentic Dominican restaurants in SD, Meson di Bari, is less than a block away on the same street as the hotel (Calle Hostos) and the restaurant across from the front door (on hostos) is very good also...and inexpensive too! It's also a couple of blocks from Parque Colon and the Hard Rock Cafe.

As mentioned above, the Colonial Zone is not particularly dangerous and the working girls are not overtly obvious...and it is really an amazing area...the oldest city in the Americas...

Just a Bit More....

Mosquitos? - Not really in SD - You should be OK, but always play it smart and if you have some "Off" or other Repellant, wear it.....

Working Girls? - Yep, they are in lots of places.... but very discreet. In SD on Avenue Indepencia (back of the Jaragua Hotel) lots working there at night but this is usually after dark so not too much to worry about.

Taxi Cost? - The cost for a taxi is normally for you and your son. If you have a bags, that is ok too. The cost still should be $30 - $35 for the BOTH of you.

Now.... I have stayed at the Maison Gautreaux many times and I know the owner well - Just for all of those who are viewing this post, the way it works Normally is if you make a reservation with his hotel from an outside website, they require that you leave a credit card deposit equal to 1 nights room rate (Normally about $40 - $50) then when you arrive, you first night is paid and you just pay for the reamining nights upon check-out. The outside website vendor who runs the reservation system keeps that first night for (advertising the hotel and booking the room) - My suggestion to all is if you want a good deal, the email the owner of the hotel directly and he will respond to you within a reasonable time (normally 24 - 48 hours) and he will book you into his system personally and give a good rate. Take it from me (one who is always looking for a bargain) that this is a damn good deal for lodging in the SD area.

Also - If staying at the Maison Gautreaux, and you want a taxi to pick you up at the airport, you can email the owner of the hotel and he may try to arrange pick up for you, but he does not own or control the taxi. Best to get a taxi-driver's name and telephone from DR1 members who is trusting and reliable and will be there waiting for you:::: OR just grab one who is outside...

Have a Good, Safe and Memorable Trip!

DAKRA:glasses: