I'll be in SD February 27-March 4th with about 6 or 7 other guys, all in our 30's.
I have a bazillion questions but I'll only ask two.
I hear there's going to be a carnival that weekend for Independence day with the main event being on Sunday, Mar 2nd. Is that true and what's it like?
I see the current exchange rate is 1 USD to 40 RD. What does that mean exactly? Does that mean everything will be dirt cheap? I have to assume that things will even out, i.e. a regular dinner, nothing fancy, will probably end up being the equivalent of what it is here, about $15-$25 USD which will be 600 to 1000 pesos.
A bottle of vodka is about $25 bucks here, I imagine it'll be about 1000 pesos.
Just trying to get an idea of the "real" prices on things.
Thanks!
Let me guess, the questions being left out are the ones like "where to get the finest and cheapest hoes?"
As for things being cheap, I never eat in fancy restaurants but you'll get used to the idea of eating rice during the middle of the day. Something I normally never do.
The menu of the day (and I'm talking about every restaurant down the corner, not talking about the high ends) could be bought for 150 DOP if not less. My during the day meals are always a Big Mac Menu or anything in that reach which cost more and is less healthy. So food is just a little bit cheaper, but also the kind of cheaper that you think like the hell with it I'll buy an extra.
As for traveling, I never took the green city bus (like the official buses) and the metro so I can't talk about those prices. You've got these buses that are a bit smaller up to they can only hold 6 people but you're forced to share them with 12, they cost 25 up to 30 DOP which is also a lot cheaper than I'm used to but also a lot less comfortable! But if you with 6 or 7 guys and you find a bus like that it's a party!
Cabs are also way cheaper! Make sure you get a price before taking a ride, if you're taca?o like me you'll ask all the drivers standing there on that spot to see which one is cheaper
but still has a decent looking ride. (you got people who have the nerves to drive with broken mirrors and doors) For example, El Conde (where I think you're probably going to stay) to El Malecon is for taca?os 150 DOP, for the average Joe 200 to 250 DOP and for those who don't know it could be 300 DOP. But in The States it would be more expensive anyway.
As for groceries, I can't tell anymore. Each day prices drop and go up for all certain products, I can't tell. I can tell that some type of breads are cheaper but then peanut butter is double. But at the end of the day it's almost the same and nothing to worry about.
As for going out, I'm not much as a drinker but I remember buying a large bottle of Brugal for 1000 DOP. But going out is going out, take money with you and you're straight! Also again, cabs to go home with are way cheaper than The States.
I think that covers a lot, at the end of the day you'll feel like everything is so damn cheap but what happens is that you overdo it cos normally you would only buy 1 drink so when it all hits you you got more but you've spent more than you thought you would do.
That's my experience.