The future of Sosua

[Caonabo]

I don't know if you are talking about me or not. I was only talking about the availability of lady company. Other than that, the town has gone to crap but there is still no problem finding companionship. Personally, if I did not have friends and family in the area, there is no way in hell I would pick Sosua as a vacation destination now. It has lost it's character..it's soul. It is now one of the most boring towns on the island. I hope it returns to the town I so loved in the past.

That said, I have friends that love to stay in Sosua...mostly for ladies. They talk about nothing else.

I hate the fact that Sosua is dying.

No, I was not referring to you.

 

[ljmesg]

I was out and about in Sosua last night. It was dead dead dead. Not much going on anymore. Boring as hell. Police everywhere and I mean everywhere and all different types. The downtown could turn into charamicos and the residents so desperate that they would vote in the hoodlums to run the town. That is just as likely a scenario for the town than these investors with deep pockets who think they know everything. In the mean time, the town is dying. We shall see if there is any improvement this winter and after the February election. I just hope we get more flights into Puerto Plata this winter and at a lower price. The city also needs updating if it wants to attract normal tourists...

Its August 29th in the hottest summer of record and hurricanes are belching out of the East. Of course the town is dead dead dead. Kids are going back to school, families are spending their last days in their summer homes. It's low low season.

 

[wrecksum]

This is in direct opposition to what some previous posters have stated to the effect that the municipality is as active, and vibrant as ever. It can not be both, so which is the true reality? Agreed, that "The city also needs updating if it wants to attract normal tourists.", and this is the hope of investors, but that stage can not begin until the plague is eliminated.

I'm right here and it's dead..

 

[lifeisgreat]

They mean business this time...dead yesterday also...pay attention male female officer with contestant police car cruising and change out street positions frequently...no one gets to comfy...eating popcorn watching on sidelines metamorphosis

 

[chico bill]

There's a huge latino community in South Florida. They have money and would liven up Sosua but they don't want to spend $900 for a two hour flight from Miami to POP. But they'd gladly part with their money once here.
If Jet Blue can fly the boner-boys for less than half that from NY and Boston why can't there be cheap South Florida flights to POP?
And why does everyone have to go through the worst airport in the US (Miami).
Why are there not direct flights from Ft Lauderdale or Tampa to POP?
Some things don't make logical sense like why a 2-hour flight (actually less than 2) costs double of a 5-hour flight ?

Reduce the boner-boy gangs in Sosua the streets will suddenly be a lot more welcoming to a different crowd. Businesses further away from the hooker-hang-out intersection would do better too as the non-sex tourists are more prone to be more adventurous and explore the town.

But the good news is they are installing new curb and maybe actually working on the sidewalks from Playero to the beach. Maybe this is in anticipation of new asphalt? Let's see if it gets finished or abandoned as funds dry up.

 

[drstock]

There's a huge latino community in South Florida. They have money and would liven up Sosua but they don't want to spend $900 for a two hour flight from Miami to POP. But they'd gladly part with their money once here.
If Jet Blue can fly the boner-boys for less than half that from NY and Boston why can't there be cheap South Florida flights to POP?
And why does everyone have to go through the worst airport in the US (Miami).
Why are there not direct flights from Ft Lauderdale or Tampa to POP?
Some things don't make logical sense like why a 2-hour flight (actually less than 2) costs double of a 5-hour flight ?

I guess it's because they continue to fill flights at the inflated prices they charge on the Miami POP route. Until people say "Enough" and stop using the route, they will continue as it is.

 

[SKY]

When any airline has a monopoly on a route they bilk the consumers. Yes, if another airline like Southwest which operates out of Ft. Lauderdale starting flying to POP you would see a drastic reduction of price and a lot more tourists in Sosoua. But don't hold your breath.

 

[jd426]

Smart Consumers can not be bilked so easy though... my Last Round Trip ticket cost $90 down, $143 back .... but its Labor day weekend, and willing to fly into one airport and out of another, so ...
But, Anyone who pays $900 for an Airline ticket to the DR ( and yes those people certainly do exist) , either has too much money to burn, or they need a Mentor or some brush up lessons on how to Travel.
This Gravy train of the weekend warriors who are more than willing to paying these Prices may soon come to an end .
The Market decides , not the Airline.

 

[torrock]

families walking up and down Pedro C ? we call them lost or losers. Who would knowingly take their family on Pedro C exposing them to an adult entertainment zone.

I do.

Sosua has a lot more to offer than "an adult entertainment zone". I find it relatively easy to avoid that for the most part (avoid the block between Classico and MonReal, especially at night ... and avoid any establishment where the women outnumber the men 3+ to 1 ... when you avoid those places, there are still MANY options left ... so many options, that most trips, I don't have time to eat at many of my favourite restaurants)

Right or wrong, I don't really worry about shielding my kids from the realities of the world. I will teach them to grow up with morals, but not to be naive or uninformed.

The last couple years, we stayed at Iberostar and Be Live and did day trips to Sosua ... the kids had a fantastic time on the beach all day, lounging, ordering whatever they wanted, swimming all day (unlike the resorts, where the only swimming takes place in the pool because the water is too rough) ... then a stop at Jolly Roger for dinner before heading back.

This year, we decided to book Casa Marina (I haven't stayed there in almost 10 years, we just rent condos now when we're not with the kids) ... we'll be that "loser" family (because we're certainly not lost) walking around Sosua! (Say hi, I'll buy you a beer)

 

[torrock]

A legal resident is a tourist in your definition? I have lived here full time since 2003.

I am NOT a tourist. Nor is anyone else who has legal residence in any country in which they reside legally.

If you can't vote you're a 'guest'.

I live in the United States. I own a house, I work here, I pay taxes, my kids are American, I will qualify for Social Security and Medicare, etc, etc...

I can't vote, so I'm a tourist? haha, okay

At least you changed it to "guest" ... I kind of agree with that, since unlike Canada (where I was born), the US can turn me away.

 

[jd426]

I live in the United States. I own a house, I work here, I pay taxes, my kids are American, I will qualify for Social Security and Medicare, etc, etc...

I can't vote, so I'm a tourist? haha, okay

At least you changed it to "guest" ... I kind of agree with that, since unlike Canada (where I was born), the US can turn me away.

Exactly,

Even NY Dominicans get treated like " Guests" and " Tourists" when they return to the DR for a Vacation.


In fact, dont they have to also purchase a $10 TOURIST CARD, like the rest of us when they Land ?????

If this were a court of Law, I would say at this point
" I rest my case "

This argument was completely ridiculous from the start .

 

[wrecksum]

Our wonderful guardians of law and order in Sosua are even arresting chicas during the day on any pretence now.Seems they have also continued with the accepted policy of abusing them.

I have friends here whose perfectly decent girlfriends won't even go out downtown any more.

Maybe getting a bit out of control perhaps??

 

[Big]

I do.

Sosua has a lot more to offer than "an adult entertainment zone". I find it relatively easy to avoid that for the most part (avoid the block between Classico and MonReal, especially at night ... and avoid any establishment where the women outnumber the men 3+ to 1 ... when you avoid those places, there are still MANY options left ... so many options, that most trips, I don't have time to eat at many of my favourite restaurants)

Right or wrong, I don't really worry about shielding my kids from the realities of the world. I will teach them to grow up with morals, but not to be naive or uninformed.

The last couple years, we stayed at Iberostar and Be Live and did day trips to Sosua ... the kids had a fantastic time on the beach all day, lounging, ordering whatever they wanted, swimming all day (unlike the resorts, where the only swimming takes place in the pool because the water is too rough) ... then a stop at Jolly Roger for dinner before heading back.

This year, we decided to book Casa Marina (I haven't stayed there in almost 10 years, we just rent condos now when we're not with the kids) ... we'll be that "loser" family (because we're certainly not lost) walking around Sosua! (Say hi, I'll buy you a beer)

Cool, to each his own. I to love Sosua and enjoy it several times a month with the fellas. However I would never expose my family to the town especially at night, too many other options. Further, no Dominican chica I know has any interest in going to Sosua, day or night. Not for dinner, shopping or the beach.

 

[torrock]

Cool, to each his own. I to love Sosua and enjoy it several times a month with the fellas. However I would never expose my family to the town especially at night, too many other options. Further, no Dominican chica I know has any interest in going to Sosua, day or night. Not for dinner, shopping or the beach.

I agree completely, hardly any of my Dominican friends will come to Sosua, and I can't blame them. We go to Puerto Plata or wherever else they're comfortable to hang out with them (some don't even like to be seen on the Malecon, it's not just Sosua, it's any area with too many tourists, which attracts working girls). That's sad and I hope it changes some day. A woman shouldn't be judged just because she's in Sosua (just for having a drink, working as a waitress, whatever), but unfortunately there are too many that think "every woman in Sosua is available", that's simply not true. Unfortunately, most people are judgmental and assume stuff all day long.

My girlfriend and I get judged constantly ... but luckily, she got past all that (for the most part) and we get to enjoy "my Sosua"

My Sosua has great chef's from all around the world (they were good enough that they were able to open their own places in DR), where you can eat amazing meals for the price of a burger back home, the chef will usually come to your table and chat, ask you how it was, serve you a mamajuana ... my Sosua has everything I need on vacation (grocery store, bank, money exchange, pharmacy, beaches, shopping, more bars and restaurants than I could ever fit into 20 trips, etc) ... my Sosua has an amazing beach with bar owners from all over, I have met so many people (owners, workers, customers) from so many countries ... I love the diversity.

Do I spend all my time in Sosua, of course not, but it's a great "home base" when you only have a week or so and you're trying to get to so many places ... it has easy access to publicos that run 24 hours to Cabarete or Puerto Plata or wherever, Metro bus to Santiago (Aguilas!) and all kinds of other cheap transportation options.

I love the north coast and how you can travel a short distance and get completely different vibes!

 

[windeguy]

Exactly,

Even NY Dominicans get treated like " Guests" and " Tourists" when they return to the DR for a Vacation.


In fact, dont they have to also purchase a $10 TOURIST CARD, like the rest of us when they Land ?????

If this were a court of Law, I would say at this point
" I rest my case "

This argument was completely ridiculous from the start .

The Tourist card is included in the ticket price. A DR citizen or legal resident has to apply for a refund. A money making scheme by Migracion, nothing else, since few will ask for refunds.

Dominicans living elsewhere who visit the DR for a few weeks are indeed tourists. They fit the exact definition of a tourist, even if they are not required to pay for the tourist card.

Those same Dominicans are not tourists where they reside out of the country. Just like I am not a tourist in the DR where I have lived since 2003.

 

[jd426]

The Tourist card is included in the ticket price. A DR citizen or legal resident has to apply for a refund. A money making scheme by Migracion, nothing else, since few will ask for refunds.

Dominicans living elsewhere who visit the DR for a few weeks are indeed tourists. They fit the exact definition of a tourist, even if they are not required to pay for the tourist card.

Those same Dominicans are not tourists where they reside out of the country. Just like I am not a tourist in the DR where I have lived since 2003.

Just Curious why you never answered the question though .. is income since 2003 PURELY earned on the Ground in the DR, or does it come from PENSION or other monies from the USA. ?

 

[Seamonkey]

We expats that are living here full-time are not tourists. I've always considered myself a guest to this country. I was not born here, but I do have my residency. I will always be a guest....my home country is Canada.

 

[Tamborista]

Windeguy is not a tourist, you are really hung up on this I see.

 

[windeguy]

Just Curious why you never answered the question though .. is income since 2003 PURELY earned on the Ground in the DR, or does it come from PENSION or other monies from the USA. ?

I have not worked since 2003. That's when I moved to the DR to live here full time with legal residency.

 

[jd426]

I have not worked since 2003. That's when I moved to the DR to live here full time with legal residency.

Ok you win..
The money you spend are NOT " Tourist Dollars" ,
they are Dominican earned Pesos ...

i must have had it wrong all along..

Windeguy is not a tourist, you are really hung up on this I see.

His money is though ..


its comical that you guys cant understand this ,,

but ok..
I concede ... its Dominican Money, once you get it " Cheeenged"