It shouldn't be that much, it's what some one sizing you up might tell you if they feel that you don't know the real rates or what you might get charged to book a cab that goes out there to pick you up as they sometimes want to charge you for a round-trip. Happened to me on more than one occasion. I usually just smile and say "no thank you" and move to the dispatcher's desk (they have what looks like a valet podium by the arrival doors) and ask them for the price first and then to get me one, it's usually the next cab in line and they will charge you what their supervisor says. Definitely don't share a cab with someone else, don't let anyone know ahead of time when you're coming and what flight, etc you're on, don't flash or talk about the fact you have any money on you, and don't blindly trust anyone.
- Thread starter DR fan1990
- Start date
SDQ: is 2000 DOP enough?
On Uber yes they're available, right now you can't stop any driver from competing for fares. They want to ban it because of the taxi union thugs attacking Uber drivers which is one of the reasons I didn't suggest it. Uber's rates are usually cheaper and not determined by the driver so there isn't an opportunity to try and take you for all they can. In the DR if you're careful and come in with your eyes open you can have a great time without mishaps. But please understand that there's many sides to any country. Punta Cana is VERY different from Santo Domingo. Here you're on your own.
That is not current information.
The issue in Punta Cana with the taxis and UBER was resolved some time ago. Now taxis can be found on the UBER app, and UBER drivers (and taxi drivers) are now allowed by UBER to change the tariff they charge.
Is that for PC only, JD? In SDEste, if the change the fee they always, without exception, cancel the request and do it for cash only. I've never had them jack up the fee on the app a few hundred pesos, which is what I would prefer.
Two issues:
One is them having the right to decline the UBER tarif and demand a higher rate which is authorized by UBER.
The other is cancelling because they don't want to have their trip payment processed by UBER. I don't think UBER is happy with that.
Drivers use UBER to find customers then tell UBER to get lost.
I used UBER quite a bit a couple of years ago anticipating I would sell my vehicles and use them exclusively. Now I barely use them only when I absolutely have to.
I dont get this different pricing based on how gringo you look. Most major cities in Latin America have a fixed rate for taxis pick ups leaving the airport. Especially if it's the official taxi company used by the Ministry of Tourism.
The whole "let me charge more because you look gringo and because you live in a nice neighborhood" sounds like a tactic only unoficial taxi companies and private individuals would pull.
Now where did you get those contact numbers from? The only number I found by clicking on the Sichala link you posted, is the whatsapp number written on the top left of the website:
+1 (829) 280-6819
I whatsapped that number and asked to confirm their current rate for a one-way from SDQ to Distrito Nacional. Their answer was:
"Saludos.
El precio solicitado es de us$40
Solo debe completar el formulario online
https://www.sichala.com/reservar (link doesn't seem to work; page is blank)
El pago puede realizarlo en efectivo o tarjeta de crédito a bordo del taxi 🚕."
Is this legit? They say it's 40 bucks. But why on earth must I make a reservation for the taxi??
I thought I could just hop on one of the yellow taxis sitting outisde the airport. No pre-announcement.
Hell no, I'm not announcing my arrival with a reservation, only to get mugged after I land. The reservation link doesn't even work anyway.
Why not pay in USD? I will only be carrying 2000 dop in Dominican currency and if that ain't enough I'll just have to pay in USD. Why is it a red flag?
The numbers are from the website. Just go to the booth/stand that looks like this: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipPyN0wBe61pEGrjxSZ56OvbO8jiZCvF5puZ54wC=s680-w680-h510. It should be just outside the Arrival door/ramp. The information booth person at the airport will also have a porter or someone take you to the dispatch desk if you can't find it. Don't make a reservation, the website is legitimate just not well maintained but announcing is always a no-no. Knowing the price ahead of time just helps. Ask the supervisor at the booth the price to confirm and have him get a cab for you. There'll be no argument then from the driver.
As to your question regarding paying with US$ in Santo Domingo, it's just not normal there. Beach towns are different because it's expected of tourists. Some businesses in Santo Domingo will definitely take it but not all and it will 100% call attention to you same as taking out cash at an ATM will (if you do use an ATM in a supermarket and then peruse the aisles for a bit before you leave, no late night/large amount day withdrawal at an external ATM with a sleeping/no security guard in sight either.)
Oh stop this please. It's not that dangerous, I take cash out of ATMs every day and have never once had a problem. In ten years I have only ever heard of a couple of muggings, far less than in cities like Miami. If you're in somewhere like the Colonial Zone, or in a reasonable part of town like Naco, Bella Vista, Piantini etc. then you're pretty safe, and let's face it that's where the majority of visitors are going to be staying. And you definitely can pay in US dollars in all of these areas, in all of the major stores and restaurants, I see people do it all the time. A lot of restaurants even print the price in US on the bottom of the check.
Apparently you've decided to pick on me this week. Fine. Do whatever makes you happy, I've taken the time to look at your other posts and noticed you have a generally cavalier attitude towards security which is understandable but that doesn't mean the rest of us have to.
Dude, she's right. I never have had a problem with ATM withdrawls. The only daytime problems I've had in the 5 years here are walking in isolated areas. i have learned.
I have taken a taxi too many times to count from SDQ to my home, mind you at all different hours. I just confirm the price before getting in. I pay in dollars most all the time. ATM's, just be aware of your surroundings, this goes for wherever you are. But no different than anywhere else.
So I landed at 11:00pm and I was expecting a huge taxi fare as a result. I approched a Sichala guy and asked him in Spanish how much. He asked where I was heading to. I said to La Castellana.
He looked at his notebook for a few seconds and said "2000 pesos señor". Then he told the driver to charge me 2000 pesos.
Honestly I was expecting to get overcharged due to the well-off neighborhood and the time at night. But they only charged me 2000 RD.
Perhaps my Spanish made them think I was a local and not a "gringo" ? Who knows. I wonder if they would have charged me in dollars (instead of pesos), and how much, had I spoken English.
He looked at his notebook for a few seconds and said "2000 pesos señor". Then he told the driver to charge me 2000 pesos.
Honestly I was expecting to get overcharged due to the well-off neighborhood and the time at night. But they only charged me 2000 RD.
Perhaps my Spanish made them think I was a local and not a "gringo" ? Who knows. I wonder if they would have charged me in dollars (instead of pesos), and how much, had I spoken English.