SDQ: is 2000 DOP enough?

IslandCabby

Member
Jan 7, 2017
30
6
8
I mean I'll pay $100 if I have to, if that's what it takes to not mugged at night (I'll be carrying USD bills as well) but holy shit that sounds like a lot for a one-way into distrito nacional.

Isn't Uber available for pick-ups at SDQ if you order it? Or is it banned like they banned it at PUJ ?
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DR fan1990

IslandCabby

Member
Jan 7, 2017
30
6
8
I mean I'll pay $100 if I have to, if that's what it takes to not mugged at night (I'll be carrying USD bills as well) but holy shit that sounds like a lot for a one-way into distrito nacional.

Isn't Uber available for pick-ups at SDQ if you order it? Or is it banned like they banned it at PUJ ?
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.
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
13,313
9,534
113
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Liberator and SKY

NanSanPedro

Nickel with tin plating
Apr 12, 2019
7,140
6,221
113
Boca Chica
yeshaiticanprogram.com
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.
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
13,313
9,534
113
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NanSanPedro

MariaRubia

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
2,716
3,657
113
I use Uber day in, day out, never a problem within Santo Domingo. It's a problem if you're expecting them to drive you to the airport or Boca Chica for RD$ 700, obviously, but I always use different drivers for outside the city.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JD Jones

DR fan1990

Well-known member
Sep 22, 2020
655
708
93
Canada
DR is the land of opportuni.. well opportunistic pricing anyway. It's about where you're going. The "nicer" the destination and the more "gringo" the client the more elevated the cost. You'll get charged less to a barrio further away than you'd get charged to go to Naco, Piantini or Los Prados/Castellana. All that said:

The service is provided directly by SICHALA.

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.
 

DR fan1990

Well-known member
Sep 22, 2020
655
708
93
Canada
DR is the land of opportuni.. well opportunistic pricing anyway. It's about where you're going. The "nicer" the destination and the more "gringo" the client the more elevated the cost. You'll get charged less to a barrio further away than you'd get charged to go to Naco, Piantini or Los Prados/Castellana. All that said:

The service is provided directly by SICHALA.

You can contact them by calling 1-809-549-0245/ 1-809-549-0011 / 1-809-549-0364.

For more information, you can visit Taxi SICHALA

NOTE: The info on their site is at least 6 years old. If you want to be sure about the rate call. Do NOT reserve a cab, signalling your visit is a really bad idea right now.

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.
 

DR fan1990

Well-known member
Sep 22, 2020
655
708
93
Canada
With the greatest of respect ma'am. I've been here for 24 years. I've also been visiting DR1 for quite a long time. If you looked at my profile you'd see since when I've been a member. The airport cabs charge what they should sometimes and what they want sometimes. Yes you can get a cheap rate but if he's not prepared to pay the gringo rate and makes a bad decision to go with a "hey use this other guy Mr. Unsuspecting Gringo, he's parked down there in the parking lot or just rolling along looking for a fare" you're setting him up to get robbed or worse. Painting a pretty, cheap picture is not what's in his best interest. If you'd read through the message you'd see that I told him that $2000 was a verified possible rate, which is about $40 at airport exchange rates but if you'd recently taken an Airport Cab you'd know it's more and worse if it's late at night and they think you don't have other options. In fact if you'd looked at the SICHALA rates you'd see where the ones from 2017 were.

PS Do NOT pay people in US Currency, that's a big (I have more where that came from) flag. One thing is inside a resort, things are completely different in regular places.

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?
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
5,457
3,267
113
You can grab a taxi outside the airport, just confirm the price before getting in.
 

DR fan1990

Well-known member
Sep 22, 2020
655
708
93
Canada
US$ 80-100? Crazy prices. My staff order cabs for people arriving in the middle of the night and the rate is always US$ 30-US$40. Call or Whatsapp Jesus, 809 432 0999, he drives for expats and hotels, speaks English. Tell him your flight number and he will have someone waiting for you in the arrivals area with a sign. He will charge maximum US$ 40.
Ok thanks.
 

IslandCabby

Member
Jan 7, 2017
30
6
8
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.
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.)
 

MariaRubia

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
2,716
3,657
113
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.
 

RDKNIGHT

Bronze
Mar 13, 2017
2,929
1,613
113
it is right outside the main exit from the airport on your left hand side ....numerous yellow cabs......there is a guy working the line he will point you to the next available car and let them know where you want to go and he will tell you the price .....its basically like the cab service at JFK
yeah except it's 80% cheaper
 
  • Like
Reactions: irishpaddy

IslandCabby

Member
Jan 7, 2017
30
6
8
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.
 

NanSanPedro

Nickel with tin plating
Apr 12, 2019
7,140
6,221
113
Boca Chica
yeshaiticanprogram.com
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.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
5,457
3,267
113
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.
 

DR fan1990

Well-known member
Sep 22, 2020
655
708
93
Canada
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.