Coral Hamaca 12/7/02

duber432

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Oct 29, 2002
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This is our 1st time in DR. Will be staying in Boca Chica at the Coral Hamaca. Read some bad/good things about this hotel...has anyone stayed there recently and did they enjoy it; also, how's the weather in December; and lastly, we love latin dancing; any good clubs we can go to with just salsa dancing...thanks for your help.
 

kobi23

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Jan 1, 2002
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my wife and i will be at the hamaca o 12/7 weve been there at least a dozen times we own a time share there. also a house in the capitol any info you would like call me at 603-661-7000it takes me a long time to type names george if not youll have a wonderful timeanyway
 

duber432

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Oct 29, 2002
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Thanks Kobi,

I will definitely call you to get some more info! I appreciate your response. Thanks, Pat
 

duber432

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Oct 29, 2002
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Hi Jim, Yes, I checked -- some of the posting were really bad, saying they saw rats and all! But most were positive -- that's why I was hoping for some recent comments. Was wondering if its safe to travel around Santo Domingo in the evening.....
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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The RAT thing was total nonsense

duber432 said:
Hi Jim, Yes, I checked -- some of the posting were really bad, saying they saw rats and all! But most were positive -- that's why I was hoping for some recent comments. Was wondering if its safe to travel around Santo Domingo in the evening.....

While I would not stay AI on a bet, if I had to or it was free, the Hamaca is the choice property in Boca Chica. Private, upscale, clean, two pools, many meal options, OK drinks, casino, disco, all on the pay one price plan. Private beach even and that is not even legal in the DR and they've done it.

Assuming the motive is a package deal with air etc., you can do worse but not better. If it is not, then consider a hotel and see the town. At least if you do go, get out onto the streets and explore , buy, spend a bit. The town needs it.

The tourist areas of Santo Domingo are safe at night with proper discretion.

I hope you realize that Hamaca is in Boca Chica ( not Santo Domingo) and you are close to an hour from Boca Chica to downtown Santo Domingo by car since Boca Chica is in fact the other way from the airport when you arrive. Santo Domingo has no beaches as it is on a river estuary. Boca Chica is where the Santo Domingoians go to get to a beach.
 
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duber432

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Oct 29, 2002
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Hey Ricktoronto, thanks for your reply. It was a special that I booked and got a good deal, airfare and hotel included. My usual thing is to go to Cancun in December but decided to try something different, which I don't like to do! LOL; also this is my first time with an AI, because we like to go out and explore, but the deal was so good -- couldn't pass it up. However, we still want to go out and explore; we love latin dancing and I'd love to go to local latin clubs outside of the hotel. I live in New York and the Dominicans I speak to that live in NY advise us not to really travel alone or to be really careful. I mean -- that's a scary thing to hear. In Cancun we traveled way into town every night where we were the only tourists among locals, with not a problem, nor feeling that something bad might happen. Is it safe to go out in the evening in Santo Domingo or in Boca Chica. That would be our mission to go out in the evenings -- trying different places to eat (outside of the hotel) and some latin dancing. We're not drinkers so its not like we're gonna be staggering up and down the streets like targets. Your thoughts are appreciated....
 

Robert

Stay Frosty!
Jan 2, 1999
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dr1.com
Yes it's safe. Just use the usual precautions like you would in any city.

Every time I see Boca Chica it's getting better and better, new developments, better streets, it's slowly moving ahead. Plus it's the best beach close to Santo Domingo.
Go take a walk down town at night, you will be fine, some good food and interesting people.

Take a look at Jims site: http://bocachicabeach.net
This has all the info you will ever need on Boca Chica.

Make sure you visit the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, lots of good places to eat and a few to go dancing.

I could go on and on, just read through the site, you will find a ton of stuff to do on your vacation.

Remember, the DR is not Cancun, it's a more "real" experience when you get outside the all inclusive compounds. Bottom line, you will have a great time!
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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Perfectly Safe

duber432 said:
Is it safe to go out in the evening in Santo Domingo or in Boca Chica. That would be our mission to go out in the evenings -- trying different places to eat (outside of the hotel) and some latin dancing. We're not drinkers so its not like we're gonna be staggering up and down the streets like targets. Your thoughts are appreciated....

The only real issue is that if you really want to go into the capitol a lot it is not very close - you can hire a cab and driver for $RD700, e.g. $35 US for the round trip and 3 hours in Santo Domingo. Plus a tip of course. I think extra hours are $RD150, so, $7.50 US.

For 4 people 5 or 6 hours would be a cheap date and a safe door to door trip. E.g. 6 hours $RD1150, $US 57.50 , or $13 a person. Try to get a car and drive rin NYC or Toronto for $10 an hour including gas.