OK, my rant for the day.

MariaRubia

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
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I stayed thursday at Juan Dolio, only a few people to share the beach, even our small dog could go around without trouble. I never go on weekends for this reason, love to chill without the crowd. What's the name of the Restaurant your went to?

Octopus

The staff said "Ah well today is the 15th and everyone's just been paid, that's the reason it's so loud". They were pretty useless to be honest, and like I said it's a shame because a lot of thought had gone into the decor of the place.
 

johne

Silver
Jun 28, 2003
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I stayed thursday at Juan Dolio, only a few people to share the beach, even our small dog could go around without trouble. I never go on weekends for this reason, love to chill without the crowd. What's the name of the Restaurant your went to?
A few questions/comments on "public beaches vs. private beaches". I am familiar, so to speak, with the differences regarding the beaches attached to a hotel or hotel complex as I live in one. What I'm not clear on are those beaches that are part of the smaller beach restaurants.
Are the high water markers not applicable to those restaurants? And, since all beaches in the DR are part of the public domain (within the high water markers) how can the public be governed by a restaurant that is situated back from the line?
I am familiar with the public beach front that is quite expansive adjacent to the Hemingway complex in JD. There are no restaurants along that stretch. Nor, is there any shade. Parking is at a premium on weekends but seemingly enjoyed by hundreds of people seeking a "day-at-the beach"

So,how have the restaurants acquired their space and place on the beach and how much control (legally) do they have in the behavior of all those that walk along the shoreline? Furthermore, what are their legal rights on controlling their "customers" at the beach using the restaurant? Example: I very rarely go to that type of restaurants. However, a couple of months ago, I wanted a change. The restaurant we went to (not very good at all) had an even bigger problem. I noticed that there was a continuous flow of people using the restroom. Kids, adults, on and on. I called the waitress over and she said...nothing we can do about it.They come up from the beach, you think to eat and drink,and they go to the restroom like they were at a hotel facility and leave. Owner has, bla, bla, bla.
 
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No matter what the rules are, Dominicans think they have the right to do whatever they want to do. Even when others find it irritating they hesitate to intervene because they also assume it’s a right..

That wide stretch of beach at Hemingway is my favorite. Under one of the few palms in the middle of the beach. Most “quiet” place I found. Never in the weekend.
 
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RDKNIGHT

Bronze
Mar 13, 2017
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My rant for the day. Went to the beach with the kids (Juan Dolio). Usual place we go to is closed, so we went to a new place, more upmarket. Enjoying it, saying we are pleased to have discovered a new place, nice customers (but almost empty), nobody shouting, nice music, nice vibe. Then a car full of barrio brats comes along and sets up the mother of all speakers about 20 feet away from the restaurant, blasting out dembow so loud that nobody can hear themselves speak. I complain to the waiter. Typical "no es mi culpa" response, it's outside the restaurant nothing can be done. Complain again. He says he will speak to the manager. He says she is going to sort it out. Nothing happens, we can't talk while we are having lunch, whole point of the day is being ruined.

I go and speak to the manager, who says she isn't the manager as the manager is off today. But she is the one in charge. And no she didn't know anything about the problem nobody had told her. But she can't do anything about it. I mentioned that it was illegal and she should call the police. Ah yes, I'll do that she says. Have you got their number. Eventually she calls. Police come, music is turned off for a few mins. Police go, music turned back on.

I suggested that maybe if they want to get a more upmarket crowd to spend money in their restaurant, they need to find a solution. Yes you're right she says. But doesn't occur to her to call the police again. It's like pushing water uphill trying to get people to understand simple business concepts here. It's a shame because the venue was really nice, the music inside was good, it should have been much much busier but obviously nobody with any class wants to sit and listen to that racket.
wow that's terrible but I also go back to when I was young I did the same stuff as those kids music on the beach I always bring my noise canceling headphones and everything looks in slow motion and I don't hear the people it's kind of perfect .

I UNDERSTAND
 
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johne

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Jun 28, 2003
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No matter what the rules are, Dominicans think they have the right to do whatever they want to do. Even when others find it irritating they hesitate to intervene because they also assume it’s a right..

That wide stretch of beach at Hemingway is my favorite. Under one of the few palms in the middle of the beach. Most “quiet” place I found. Never in the weekend.
jajajaj. If you want to make friends that is the spot. (under that palm tree). I have seen up to three disassociated groups vying for a slice of the shade at once. Security sits about one foot away from the "line".
 

johne

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Jun 28, 2003
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"Summer time and the living is easy..." so goes the opening line of lyrics of a very famous song. Summer for many, all across the world means: No school, days off, sand, sun, romance, fast cars,and BOOM BOXES. Tough to go up against that especially in the DR or a country and customs that do not align with your own.
One way is to join it. That is if they would have you. For the most part gringos not allowed. Sorry.:)(
 

chico bill

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May 6, 2016
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A few years ago I took my old dog, before he died, to the beach in Sosua. He laid under my lounge chair happy to get bits of food and water. But he would never go near the ocean.

Soon some young Dominicans came with a huge portable speaker and pots of food. I don't even know how those big loud speakers work without a chord but needless to say my peaceful day was ruined by their loud crap music.

The music caused me to leave for home but on the way out my dog lifted his leg and pissed on the speaker which was just near the base of the steps. I didn't even try to stop him, even though he was on leash. I stood there along side him and was actually quite proud.
The speaker's owner got up to start yelling but once he realized my dog was over 80 lbs & was just finishing up his 'business' he decided to just accept his 'pissed-on fate'.
That was canine justice.
 

chico bill

Silver
May 6, 2016
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"Summer time and the living is easy..." so goes the opening line of lyrics of a very famous song. Summer for many, all across the world means: No school, days off, sand, sun, romance, fast cars,and BOOM BOXES. Tough to go up against that especially in the DR or a country and customs that do not align with your own.
One way is to join it. That is if they would have you. For the most part gringos not allowed. Sorry.:)(
Most people here don't know or appreciate what a real fast car is.
Even if they can afford one, the roads and traffic are such here they can let it loose.
 
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Pikobello

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2020
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Santo Domingo
Octopus

The staff said "Ah well today is the 15th and everyone's just been paid, that's the reason it's so loud". They were pretty useless to be honest, and like I said it's a shame because a lot of thought had gone into the decor of the place.
Ah yeah Octopus, still running by italien owner? All dominicans that are going to the beach bringing theire smartphone and some kind of speaker, so you here all kind of music there. If your are lucky it's Merengue,Bachata or Salsa at a decent loudness, if it goes the other way, well ya you know...
Next time perhaps you try the beach in Guayacanes, yes it's really smaller,but nice for kids and youhave some decent restaurants there:

or


The last one owned and running by Martin, a Czech guy who lives over 20 years here.
 

USA DOC

Bronze
Feb 20, 2016
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If you are looking for a nice small and with no other people public beach... to the right of playa Alica is just that in the Sosua area,
 

JLSawmam

Happy on the North Coast
Sep 8, 2018
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If you are looking for a nice small and with no other people public beach... to the right of playa Alica is just that in the Sosua area,
Are you talking about the beach at the end of Calle Dr Rosen where you have to go down some stairs to get to it? Been a while since I've been there
 
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MariaRubia

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
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Ah yeah Octopus, still running by italien owner? All dominicans that are going to the beach bringing theire smartphone and some kind of speaker, so you here all kind of music there. If your are lucky it's Merengue,Bachata or Salsa at a decent loudness, if it goes the other way, well ya you know...
Next time perhaps you try the beach in Guayacanes, yes it's really smaller,but nice for kids and youhave some decent restaurants there:

or


The last one owned and running by Martin, a Czech guy who lives over 20 years here.

The supervisor lady said it was the first time it had ever happened. Which I didn't believe one little bit. Normally I go to Beppe and Martina which is just as you enter. Very basic but the food and the prices are nice.
 

MariaRubia

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
2,936
3,984
113
Ah yeah Octopus, still running by italien owner? All dominicans that are going to the beach bringing theire smartphone and some kind of speaker, so you here all kind of music there. If your are lucky it's Merengue,Bachata or Salsa at a decent loudness, if it goes the other way, well ya you know...
Next time perhaps you try the beach in Guayacanes, yes it's really smaller,but nice for kids and youhave some decent restaurants there:

or


The last one owned and running by Martin, a Czech guy who lives over 20 years here.

Thanks for those recommendations they look interesting I will definitely give them a try.