DR Carnivals

in english

yes, it's called Mardigras in New Orleans, LA

DR-SD said:

Hello guys,
I'm new in SD, and heard about the carnivals in La Vega and Santiago, and saw some pictures as well.
I wanna go and watch the one in La vega, but how to go there? is there any tours for that, and if there's something in English.... since my Spanish is very limited!!

cheers and thx

Click to expand...

Is there any reason you don't wait for the big Santo Domingo Carnival on the 6th March?

I also read in the same article that there are 2 new ones happening on the east side of the river this year, one on Venezuela and the other I forget...

Well you can take any bus on Sunday that runs to La Vega. And the best part is in La Vega the bus depot is like 2 blocks from the promenade for the live music and 4 blocks from the Central Parque. But the one in Santiago is larger and more festive, mainly because the streets are wider. Now if you choose not to go to La Vega and go to Santiago you just walk until you get to Av. Las Carreras(I guess I could have said, just go to where you see the people and hear the noise).

I guess the difference is that La Vega Is a big town Carnival and Santiago is a big city one. Their both great and long. Go to both if you can. We've been to many and these are tow of the best.

Be warned, if you plan to head into the thick of it you will get pick-pocketed if you are not extreeeeemely careful. Bring NOTHING with you that's not strapped down. Leave your camera at home, no watch, no chains, no rings, keep money is small denominations in several pockets (don't put all your eggs in one basket), don't stray far from the crowd, etc.

I recommend you bring a lawn chair & move down the road though & hang out in front of the 5-Star restaurant/bar/sportsbook. You can see everything the parade has to offer AND the 5 Star won't be a madhouse, so you can get cold beer, clean uncrowded bathrooms, edible food & they usually have security in front of the place keeping an eye on their patrons.