Sosua vs. Negril

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spasticnapjerk

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Thanks to everyone who replied to my previous threads. I'm about to pull the trigger and buy a ticket for a couple of weeks in the North Coast/Samana areas.

Can anyone compare Sosua to Negril, Jamaica, from a perspective of a traveler who doesn't stay in mega AI resorts?
 
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Expat-in-Cabarete

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Um, trying to remember. It's been a while since my last trip to Negril. Negril, beach bars, music, nightlife on the beach, lots of fun. Sosua, no nightlife on the beach.
 
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Thandie

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As someone whp has been to both places many times I would say they are two totally different places.

Negril is famous for the 7 mile white sandy beach that is much more beautiful, relaxed and more upscale than Sousa. Often voted one fo the top 10 beaches in the world. Negril is the #1 place on the island where the more well to do Jamaicans vacation. Sousa town, which is very close to the beach is considered the red light district of the D.R., alot of prostitutes and all the negative that brings, which is visible in the day or night...a more seedier area of the island. Negril in my opinion is much more fun, you will find better service and quality, you are bothered less on the beach, easier to mingle with the locals who are NOT looking to financially benefit from you, people there are more hospitable, a lot of beach parties, bars, good music, and a better nightlife.
I prefer Negril hands down.
It depends what you are looking for.
 
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anng3

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I like Sosua bay beach better than Negril. It's framed with gorgeous vegetation that hasn't been cleared like in Jamaica. You can spend all day at the bay for the price of a cheap chair and/or food, drinks. In Negril it's hotel after hotel. I like the variety of having the bay and Ocean beaches here. Jamaica has better music than the DR but even in Negril we had to search it out. Since they cater to tourists there is a lot of American pop music. People are friendlier and happier in the DR. In Negril we were always hassled aggressively to buy things and drugs. The beach vendors in Sosua are harmless compared to them. You can also go to Cabarete, see the kites and go to the beach restaurants that turn into clubs at night. The DR has more variety.
 
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spasticnapjerk

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One of the things I liked about Negril was the great live music, especially the beach parties. It sounds like I can find that in Cabarete, which is close enough to Sosua? I may have to spend time in both towns!

A big problem for me in Negril was being hassled constantly by the vendors. They bothered you everywhere you go, either walking into a club, walking down the beach, or trying to nap on the beach! People getting angry if I didn't buy their food. It almost seemed like everyone had their hand out. Petty theft. It was very frustrating. :mad: Traveling solo is a real PITA sometimes. Is this how it is in Sosua/Cabarete? Vacations are supposed to be relaxing!

That being said, most Jamaicans are really nice people, and I regularly hoist a Red Stripe in honor of those that I've met!

Sosua attracts me because it seems walkable...I won't need a cab to get from the hotel to the beach, bars and restaurants. Is this true?
 
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anng3

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Sosua is walkable. So is Cabarete. It depends on what you want to do. If you are into swimming in the Ocean Sosua is better. Cabarete is more for water sports. If you want music and a cooler night scene on the beach stay in Cabarete. There isn't live music in Sosua. Sosua is cheaper than Cabarete.

Store and stall owners will try and get you to go into their places but once you are on the beach no one really bothers you.
 
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bubba

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Been to Sosua many times, just got back Negril stayed at Cocolapalm. Nice hotel in the middle of the 7 mile beach.
The big difference I seen was the prices in restaurants. I find Sosua much cheaper and more variety in the types of food. Also much more to do on the north coast of the D.R.
Look at the prices of the non AI hotels in Negril vs Sosua/Cabarete, I found the D.R. to be about $300 - $400 cheaper.
Just my $.02
 
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spasticnapjerk

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Coco la Palm starts at $81, the Bar-b-Barn starts at $50. Both of those are directly on 7-mile beach. Can I get a room on the beach in Sosua for $50?
 
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Thandie

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Yes the Dominican is the cheapest island in general to travel to/live in the entire Caribbean.
And dont expect the spicey Caribbean food that you would find in JA if that is what you like.
Other than great live music at night, not getting harrassed by people selling stuff, what other things are you looking for?
 
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pmey27

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Thandie means Domin Rep

I think Thandie means Dominican Republic not Dominican....to some people that is a big deal....
 
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Thandie

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spasticnapjerk said:
Thandi, I need to take lots of pictures.
Click to expand...
What type of pictures?
Pictures of nature, people, sites? Or all of the above?

Nature wise, Gri Gri lagoons in Rio San Juan about a 40 minute public taxi drive away from Sosua and 50 or 60 pesos, and I paid 600 pesos for a 1 hour boat ride through the lagoons and a stop at the 2 beaches, is a nice place to visit for pics.
The Caves in Cabarete are nice too for photography $3 to enter the park or $15 for a guided tour.
Not much to see in Puerta Plata in terms of sites except Central Park.
 
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anng3

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Thandie you reminded me about the food. Jerk chicken, patties, seafood yum. Food is better in Jamaica. Last place we stayed in Negril which was very nice was called Cayaba. More flowers in Jamaica also.
 
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Thandie

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pmey27 said:
I think Thandie means Dominican Republic not Dominican....to some people that is a big deal....
Click to expand...

Yes pmey, I am sure Tambor knew what island I was talking about. That was OBVIOUSLY a simple typo or abbreviation but I forgot about the "Dominican word police" on DR1. LOL
I have even heard Dominicans use 'Dominican' (just like my friends from the Republic of Congo say the Congo, or when people say The States, or America when talking about The United States of America) to refer to their country but forgot it is 'a big deal/pet peeve' to some on the board.
People often abbreviate on internet message boards or when referring to a country/city. No biggie.
 
Tamborista

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
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Thandie said:
People often abbreviate on internet message boards or when referring to a country/city. No biggie.
Click to expand...

Thand'

No hard feelings, I usually use DR or RD to abbreviate the name of this lovely country, or even La Republica. Since it is not your first post, I naturally assumed it was just a simple typo!

Have a nice evening,

tambo'
 
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Thandie

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Tamborista,
No hard feelings and nice evening to you too! :squareeye

My problem now is finding some Jamaican jerk chicken pr a patty to eat now to satisfy my craving LOL
See what you caused anng3...I blame you LOL :cheeky:
 
Tamborista

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
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bob saunders said:
stating the obvious. Amazing how it bothers expats and tourists more than Dominicans, or perhaps they are republicans.
Click to expand...

Bob:

You are absolutely correct, on that note I think I will crack open an ice cold Molson from The Canadian.

tambo'
 
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