typical amount

I'd like to know what is a suggested amt. of spending money for food,drinks and nightlife in Cabarete for a week.

We will be staying in Cabarete for a little more than a week. A good amount of days will be taken with tours, and a cook will be cooking some meals.

I know that most clubs are free, and the casino is $5 with a drink? No?

My friends are asking how much should they bring based on dinners, some lunches, drinks and nightlife. I thought $150, but was told maybe $300 would be better.


Thanks.

Thanks for responding.
$30 dollars is for an avg. of how many drinks?


Ok, we will be doing tours for most of the week, and breakfast and lunch are included most times. For those that aren't, we will have food prepared by our cook. So we are looking mostly at dinners. $12 for dinner and $8 for lunch is fine.

For some reason though, I was under the impression that drinks were like less than $7 bucks. I keep thinking about the place betwen Onnos and Bambu's that give stiff drinks for less than $5, combined with the fact that most places on the beach are free to enter.

The amt was strictly for dinners, clubs and drinks. We've already picked out our activities and calculated for it. Lol, and I'm a chica, so I have no plans on spending money on putas.

Lmao, I'm def. not spending my money on any sankies either. I don't go on vacation and get swept up in flings or one night stands. More power to those who do though. Ironically, I have met two women last week that mentioned their Dominican "Tour guides" who hadn't emailed them since they've returned ( with hurt and pitiful looks).

Lol, my mom used to tell me that quote when I was a younging in school.

I figure I'll take double what seems appropriate. I told my friends the same. Stay on the safe side. If I don't spend it, then hey!

So true.

Very good point. Thanks for reminding me about the travelers checks.

Thanks for the suggestions every one. The thing is, I'm not necessarily looking for cheap places and I am by no means on a budget. I made a list of almost all the mentioned restuarants and spots suggested on here. I was just under the impression that the cost of food and drinks we're cheaper than the US, which it still seems and I went and told my friends (some of whom are budgeting) that things in Cabarete were very cheap.. However, a friend who visited POP told me that drinks were about the same price as the clubs here and he suggested $350+ for dinner and drinks ( Plus he had AI and has most of his meals and drinks the resort). That is why I started inquiring. I didn't want to misinform them and then they come with less than they need. Though, now that I do think about it , it makes sense. I don't know why I was thinking that $150 would last the week for dinner and drinks.

Remember, activities ( tours and random things )are already chosen and taken care of, so that is out of the way. The cook and groceries has been budgeted for random breakfast and a few meals. So, it's basically all about the ideal spending amt for Dinner and nightlife. I think the suggestion of $50 -$75 per day would be about right for dinner, maybe lunch, plenty of drinks, and any entrance fees. (Which I also read that there were hardly any..)

rubio_higuey said:

You should be OK with 50-75 per day, per person.

Look, 8 dollars for lunch (250 pesos) is more than enough, here in Higuey (and I think we are more expensive than cabarete) I cannot find a place where I would spen 250 pesos on lunch with a beer or soda.

Dinner, 12 dollars, about 380 pesos, should give you a nice meal and a beer or soda. Of course, if you go eat to Tony Roma's (is there one in Cabarete?) that would be just for an appetizer.

ALSO, when you go to restaurant, make sure you know if the prices quoted are with all the taxes. If not, you will be hit with 26% on top of the price tag. Most smaller restaurants have final prices, as well as chain restaurants. If not, the prices in the menu have to include note "ITBIS y servicio no incluido". When you see that, the price you will pay is what you see + 26%.

Drinks - if you go to tourist discos, you will buy drinks by the glass. If you go to some smaller or local discos (e.g. terazzas) you can buy in "bulk" (whole bottle) called "servicio"; e.g. servicio Brugal Extra Viejo (0.5l bottle) is 300 pesos (less than 10 dollars) with soda (Coke or 7up). Whisky Johnie Walker Etiqueta Roja (Red Label) is about 1000 pesos with soda (30 dollars) (Club soda or 7up). Chivas Regal is about 2000 pesos (60 dollars). Large beer is about 80-90 pesos, and small one 60 pesos. In tourist discos, you will be hit, however, with "per glass" or "drink" prices, e.g. Red Label whisky will cost you 150 pesos (5 dollars) or Cuba Libre 100 pesos (3 dollars).

You are better off to go to smaller/local places than tourist disco clubs. Of course, you can go one or two times, but if you want to enjoy local atmosphere, and better prices, go to the local places (most terazzas are local places).

Click to expand...

Thanks for all of the info. I;m going to save this thread in an email. I've heard about the "tourist tax".We don't want to be in the touristy places. We are def. looking to mingle and party with the locals. Not for prices sake, but for that real Dominican feel. I remember Cancun was crazy and fun, but it was like New York or Miami parties on a strip. Like Punta Cana I guess.

Thanks. I've got Bliss already. I will keep the Amex place in mind. I'll post up what I have collected and emailed out to my friends. You all can feel free to add anything that I may have missed.
Thanks (Sorry If I havent quoted)

Since I can't sleep, here is a list of things that I collected throughout the DR1 website.This is it for now. Get excited people!

Restaurants
Judy's Cambio, down the street from Super Super. close to Eddy's Sports Bar usually has the best rate in Sosua, but I believe they close fairly early, around 5 pm. I always try to get 500's as the largest denomination, but with 500 USD, you can take several 1000 peso notes, and carry one or two when you'll be shopping at the playero or eating in a fancier restaurant...or going to the casino

Jose Oshea's is a great spot and the best burger on the north coast!
Taco Tuesdays in now at Martini's Beach Bar & Grill located at Cabarete East Condos just on the East side of Cabarete..
Come on out!!
Avoid Jose O'Shays... too expensive & too gringo.
On the beach:
Voy Voy, for a nice calm environment with latin music & a laid back style.
It's easternmost on the beach, a little past Onno's.
Onno's for lunch or a light dinner. Lasagna is very good & reasonably priced.
Lax, for pizza or 2 for 1 specials 5-6pm.
CasaNova, okay, but I think the food quality is decreasing. Watch out for the house liquors. Rum & vodka taste like gasoline.
Marabu (white tent toward the center of the bay) has very good food and higher class ambiance. Worth an evening for a little more personal/romantic touch.

Bliss, first restaurant on the left on the road into Callejon across from the Ocean Dream Plaza on the western end of town (dirt road, about 50 feet down on the left). Excellent French chef and wonderful ambiance. Prices reasonable for Cabarete.

2nd restaurant into Callejon, just past Bliss on the left, a steak house, not sure of name, but good/simple food at an okay price.

La Campagna in Ocean Dream Plaza. Good sandwiches, though not on the beach.

La Casita for great shrimp or lobster.

Friends, (out on the street) closed until end of month for vacation has great breakfasts/sandwiches.
Dicks for pastries or eggs/bacon in the mornings. Claro, at the eastern end just past Janet's supermarket is also good for breakfast, as is the restaurant at Club Nathalie Simon - between Palm Beach Condos and Villa Taina hotels on the beach.

Onnos/Bambu/Casa Nova/Lax/Voy Voy for nightlife. Consider a trip out to the casino dance floor after the bars close (12a.m. weekdays/2a.m. Fri/Sat). Casino's open until late (note my 4:50 a.m. post time :\) Casino dance floor closed Sunday/Monday nights I believe.

A tip for La Casita... You can ask for the shrimp "peeled"...no problem!
Next time you go to La Casita ask for the Longostinos. He cooks it the same way as the shrimp, but you don't have to peel anything and you are eating Baby Lobster. If you get there at about 6:30PM you might get some. They go fast.
There was also a very nice fine dining restaurant beside The Velero Beach resort which was one of the best French restaurants I have ever been to.
"Papi's (La Casita) is considered by just about everyone as a must... especially of you like shrimp. The Camarones a la Papi is one of the best dishes Ive ever had... and Ive had it many times" as quoted by DavidZ , is without exaggeration the best of the best! THey didn't take credit cards though or we would have had more wine as well! haha.
Try Ho la la on the beach, their paella and fish soup is excellent
I dont know where you stay but on the opposite side of Ocean Dream is the best dominican "road side chicken" restaurant. Dont know the name but its yellow and blue painted. Sometimes they also have great ribs and pork chops. For more restaurant suggestions check out the "Best" topic placed under living. http://www.dr1.com/forums/best-dr/


The restaurant on the front that has the lobster tank out front, is excellent. The surf & turf I had there in September was stunning! Don't let the naff plastic seats and tables put you off, it's better than it looks!

When we've been Otra Cosa was very nice. Ladies in nice dresses Men well dressed. Not he same as the beach rest. My wife said bring one nice dress and sandles or low heals. Walking in high heals is tough here.There may be a dinner cruise out of Sousa or Porta Plata, but we haven't heard of any. If you find any let us know. There's booze cruises during the day but We don't think that's what you want. We think they leave from Sosua, but not sure.
There is a new Rest. Bliss. The food is very good, very upscale, but i think the prices are a little high. Not as bad as some of the places on the beach. It's worth a try.
OK, I'll start with a few Cabarete Restaurants...

The one east (on the edge) of Cabarete that serves only seafood (right off the boat) is called La Boca. The food is just ok, the prices are kinda high (fish is 250 pesos/lb. lobster is 650/lb), especially since they have practically zero overhead , but the setting and views are amazing!

The restaurant near Magnifico is either Claro, which is GREAT but only open for breakfast and lunch, or Otra Cosa, which is actually closer to Velero...a few hundred yards away...Otra Cosa is very good but VERY expensive...usually well over $50 pp.

A new "must try" restaurant is Bliss...on the dirt road that starts from the highway (main street), directly in front of Ocean Dream...first building on the left...food and atmosphere are excellent, and pretty reasonably priced (for Cabarete) at about $20-30 pp for dinner with app, entree, and a drink or two...

My new favorite place for lunch is called Marabu...on the beach next to Ocean Dream...best seat/view on the beach...good food, decent prices...

Papi's (La Casita) is considered by just about everyone as a must... especially of you like shrimp. The Camarones a la Papi is one of the best dishes Ive ever had... and Ive had it many times!

You really cant go wrong with any of the other restaurants on the main "strip" of the beach... Ive never had a bad meal, and have had several great ones...just look for the one with the menu that looks best to you... I think the surfers plate at Cas del Pescador (grilled shrimp, langostinos (baby lobsters), and fish) with salad and side for around 500 pesos is a great deal...

CFA's restaurant list is a great reference!! And the Sushi Bar at Ocean Dream, while not on the beach is great - same with the Steak house next to Bliss mentioned (called Los Locos al Frente)... The seafood place with the lobster tank is Cas del Pescador, Ive had a few excellent meals there..the place next to it, Cabarete Blu, not so much...there's also Miro on the beach for sushi.. a little pricey but good.


Clubs,Casino and Nightlife on Cabarete/Pop/Sosua
And as for Bars/Clubs... Lax and Casanova on the beach are the hot spots for the early evening and Bambu and Onno's are the hottest (and only) clubs for late night/dancing on the beach. The nightclub at the Ocean Sands Casino is the new hotspot on the weekends...gets going after midnight.

Have fun!!!
The only club that charges a cover in Cabarete (and Sosua, I think) is the disco at the Ocean Sands Casino...it's 150-200 pesos (about $5 or $6), I believe you get one drink with that. I believe Mangu at Playa Dorada has a similar cover charge

Clubs in Sosua
The Classico and Latina DJs play whatever the tourists want to listen to. If there are a large group of Europeans there the DJ will play European style techno, North Americans, that style of dance music and then finally some merengue, salsa and bachata. Anyway, for people that wish to dance Merengue, Salsa and Bachata in Sosua go to the El Canoa Tipico which caters to all Dominican clientel. El Canoa is a safe place which is also open air and has frequent live bands
For the record, In Sosua and Cabarete, clubs and bars stay open until 1 am during the week...and the Nightclub in the Casino in Cabarete stays open later... there's still plenty of partying done, it just ends earlier...
At least half of the rest. on the beach are disco's after 9-10. No cover charge and you can carry your drink from one to the other. You you can dance on the beach. If you carry you drink inside they just pour it into one of their own cup and your good to go.
The drinks at the beach places (there's really only two with dancing and theyre right next to each other - Bambu and Onno) are pretty reasonable...especially if you drink rum...the presidente's now around 100 pesos, cuba libres, etc around 80 pesos. Imported and top shelf are around 120-200 pesos..still way cheaper than your average NYC or Miami club. A little tip - there's a tiny bar between the two places called La Cosita - the drinks are about half the price of the two clubs and its right there..outside...between the two...

The club at Ocean Sands is nice...kind of like an American Club..prices a little higher than the beach, but the big thing there is that it's open late..till 3 I believe, and they often have big name local bands...

The other two popular night spots on the beach are Casanova and Lax... more of a "chill scene" with ambient music and cool lighting
Explore a little, ask questions, you might find some other gems. Good luck. With the smallest of efforts you can have a great time!
The torista places are on the beach. O"Shey's is ok. Sports bar. Mitz's next to Janet's is cheaper. Bliss is great. There is a Sussi (sp) bar in the OD plaza that is great. The Steak Rest. across from OD is laid back, worh the trip, small but good. Use paso's.
live a stone's throw from the Ocean Sands. It is a great, but small casino with a brand new, nice sized american-style dance club upstairs. They don't have keno or eany of the other rip-off games, so I wouldn't worry about that. The staff is *really* friendly and most (except for the waitresses) speak english. I'm pretty sure the transport to/from Breezes is reliable, and it's only about a 10 minute drive. There are 3 blackjack tables (two have 100 peso or US$5 min, the other is 300 pesos or US $10), two roulette tables, one Caribbean poker and one "tri-card" poker tables. THey also have a couple of tables for Texas Hold'em. They serve complimentary sandwiches if you ask for it. One thing to note, however, if you are planning on playing before dinner, the tables don't open until 8 pm.. the slot machines are available from 4 pm though. Also, they are open until at least 3 am... with a full (and free!) bar

I forgot to mention the bathrooms!! They *are* nice, huh?

Also forgot to mention something about the disco... they have go go dancers on the bar and stage... and as for music, it's a mix of American and Euro Club music, and Reggaeton..
i was there last week
I just got back from cabarete last week and we used to go to the Ocean Sands casino almost everynight.

We didn't partake in any gambling but instead went to the disco upstairs. If you go early (10pm-12am) its dead, but we used to go after all the other bars/discos finished at 1/2am and everybody would head to the casino to party till 5am!

Good mix of locals and tourists, drinks reasonable, very nice decor (toilet some of the best I've ever seen! - very important to a woman), and the music is a good mix of euro/american & dominican.
.There is also another casino in Sosua, which is a slightly shorter drive in the other direction. It is called Casino Playa Chiqiota. It's older and bigger, but personally, I don't like the "vibe" there.
Play Blackjack and they will feed you free drinks until you fall off the stool or run out of pesos!

North Coast Beach reconstruction - DR1 Dominican Republic Forums -this is the picture of the beach in front of our villas

CABARETE
Cabarete, not Punta Canal, absolutely.
Dolores' suggestions are spot on.
And DavidZ knows the Ocean Sands Casino is the new
hotspot afterhours because the curfew does not
apply to them. For those in their 20's, Cabarete is so much
better than Cancun, South Beach Miami, you name it.....very
hip, very hot and very fun. Be reminded that drug possession in
the DR can be a nightmare so users should think twice,
or three times, stay away from it.....plz. Party hearty and use
common sense.
Cabarete!

It's pretty much one long strip with 90% of the restaurants fronting both the beach and the street. Dozens and dozens of beach bars and restaurants to choose from, and a much less cluttered, much much larger, and in my opinion much nicer beach than Sosua.

Tom (aka XR)

Cabarete is the place to be during the day with its windsurfers crowd, at night on the beach/bars. Sosua is definitely cheaper (restaurant, food, exchange, drinks) but unless you are looking to score with teenage dominican girls, there is nothing else but a nice beach, no night life at all for someone in 20s-30s.

Cabarete has the right crowd, it's lively, people in a good mood. There are a good number of accomodations on the beach that are beach and decent for vacationing such as SansSoucis appts.

Definitely spend some time in both cities, they are so much different.

Enjoy the DR as much as we all do.
Cabarete Rules!
For me, it has to be Cabarete. Besides restaurants, bars and the beach, the other tourists in Cabarete are just different from the ones frequenting Sosua. Sosua seems to attract a lot of older men looking for female company. Cabarete has more of a younger crowd, looking to have a good vacation. So, I would suggest stay in Cabarete, but visit Sosua. The two towns are 20 minutes apart and there is a lot of public transportation running between them.
Currency Exchange Rate and suggestd places for exchange
Judy's Cambio, down the street from Super Super. close to Eddy's Sports Bar usually has the best rate in Sosua, but I believe they close fairly early, around 5 pm. I always try to get 500's as the largest denomination, but with 500 USD, you can take several 1000 peso notes, and carry one or two when you'll be shopping at the playero or eating in a fancier restaurant...or going to the casino.
Originally Posted by jcarn
I'm going to be in sosua soon and am wondering the following:

1) What's the best place to exchange american dollars into dominican pesos? Airport? super super? or ??

2) two, what consistency of dominican pesos should i exchange in say if i had like US $500? I dont want to be a dumbass like last time and wind up with something like 5000 peso bill which I could only use in the casino because nobody could make change but I also dont want to carry 20 peso bills exclusively either.
Originally Posted by Rocky
And keep those 2,000 pesos notes separate from the 500's.
At night, they appear the same and you could easily give the 2k in lieu of a 500.
How true this can be..It happened to me in Boca Chica a few years ago..I was having a few presidentes and The place was full that I was in..I gave a 2000 Peso note in a Discotec not looking closely..And the guy gave me change for a 500..Lucky for me my wife was standing right there and saw what I gave and demanded the change for a 2000..It turned out the guy put it in the slot with the 500 peso notes and not under the tray so he was able to see it was his mistake..A RARE but honest one this time anyway...




Originally Posted by Sosuany
What about all those Motoconchos asking you to change money? Are they trying to scam tourists? I never changed money through them.
Change money on the street - count your money and your fingers when finished.

I never trust a potential thief who's sitting on his getaway vehicle while trying to scam you - LOL.

Gregg
Originally Posted by Rocky
And keep those 2,000 pesos notes separate from the 500's.
At night, they appear the same and you could easily give the 2k in lieu of a 500.
How true this can be..It happened to me in Boca Chica a few years ago..I was having a few presidentes and The place was full that I was in..I gave a 2000 Peso note in a Discotec not looking closely..And the guy gave me change for a 500..Lucky for me my wife was standing right there and saw what I gave and demanded the change for a 2000..It turned out the guy put it in the slot with the 500 peso notes and not under the tray so he was able to see it was his mistake..A RARE but honest one this time anyway...
For someone like yourself that can't remember that we only have the 2000 peso note as being the largest and that is the BLUE one..And as Howmar said there are new coins now for 10 +25 pesos.....Just get it all in 500 pesos and 100 pesos as you will find even a 1000 peso note a problem to change depending on where you try and use it...I would get a few of them but not the whole 500.AVOID the airport unless you are only changing 100USD for cab fare.

Tipping
Dominicnas 'generally' do not tip...."

exactly!!...you want to fit in?...you want to be part of life here?
as Larry always has tried to explain..
when you stand out , you make yourself a target.
it may be impossible to reverse the trend. But the reason all the pan handlers and beggars flock to tourists and americans is because they dont act like dominicans.
It must be that the dominicans understand that the government has provided for the waiter with the 10% tax... and as such they may say to thenmselves...they got my tip already......it may take a while before the tourist realizes this and maybe even they never relaize it.....
I dont propose NO ONE tips......but I dont think you should have to pay 30 -40 % more than the cost of the meal to eat anyplace.....16%itbits...10% gratuity tax, plus a "american standard" 15-20%.......


as for tipping, I usually tip 15-20% based on service... or 5-10% if service has been added to the bill...
Single bills $! -have about $50 for tipping at the airport, van driver, etc.
Transport ,to the clubs outside of Cabarete
Why pay $20-$30 U.S. from Puerta Plata to Sosua. Do what the Domincians do, stand by the road and make a downward motion with you arms to flag a Publico taxi. These are red cars with a sign on the top that says Puerta Plata ? Sosua. Then get in and pay 20 Pesos to the driver. You might be squashed in between people, but you might also meet a nice date there. They go both directions and travel at night also.
A publico taxi waits until the car is full (6 people) to start. After midnight you might wait for hours for the car to fill up with people. What you do is you pay for 6 places even when you are alone or just 2 or 3 people. You only pay 6xR$25 (if that is still the going rate) which is still only a third of a private taxi and you get going without waiting. That's what I do to get back late at night between POP and Sosua.
Bartolome

Present Publico rates: RD$20 Sosua-Cabarete and RD$30 Sosua-Puerto Plata. This is during day. After 6 pm, rat es are at least RD$5 higher
Snorkeling nearby
Originally Posted by kathyg
What about other snorkeling tours organized by El tour - Samana, Playa Grande or Paradise Island ?

Samana seems an excessive distance to go to simply snorkle IMHO. To get to Playa Grande you have to pass Rio San Juan where an excellent site exists (with Northern Coast Diving). Paradise Island is reputed to be excellent but from Cabarete you are looking at a minimum of 2.5 hours each way.

If you want to go on the cheap simply take the free transport to Sosua Bay Club and snorkle at Playa Sosua, otherwise book the RSJ trip at Dominican Republic SCUBA dive packages and snorkeling adventures with Northern Coast Diving in Sosua if you prefer the best available within a reasonable distance.

Gregg
[/B]

Lol, Yes I know. I OD'd , but at least they can't say I didn't tell them. Yet, there is always someone who will ask a question that is already in the emails.