Sosua Vacation Questions

[CaptnJohn]

Hola chicos y chicas,

This is my first post here...but I?ve been reading the posts and archives for a week. I?m taking a little trip to the Rep?blica Dominicana in early August. This is my first trip to DR,, and my first vacation in over 3 years, so it is going to be a good one! My good friend, and my 16yo son and I have rented a large villa in Sosua for 5 days of fun, sun, and of course, mass consumption of large quantities of rum.

So I have a few questions and I?m hoping some of yall can help me out.

Rental or Taxi>? We are flying into POP, and I reserved an SUV. But we?re having second thoughts about the SUV now. We are pretty adventurous, and like to get out and see things on our own rather than in tour groups. We?ve driven in 2nd and 3rd world countries so I?m no stranger to unimproved roads and crazy driving rules, but it?s another $500 we could spend on rum if we don?t need a vehicle. Thoughts>?

White water rafting.. So is Iquana Mama?s the only tour company or can someone suggest a local guide for a private group>?

VOIP? VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn?t have any stupid internet rules. The villa is set up with highspeed internet, so I?d like to bring my VOIP phone but does anyone know what the DR internet laws are for VOIP>?

Oh yeah, Rum? How?s the DR Rum compare,,, I?ve always been partial to PR Rum.

Well any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John

 

[nickijay]

Lucky you John i just got back from Sosua yesterday. If you're going to drive your a braver person than me they are all crazy!! Taxis are good but agree a reasonable price first, cant help you out with the internet query but the rum is fantastic! Enjoy

 

[rellosk]

We’ve driven in 2nd and 3rd world countries so I’m no stranger to unimproved roads and crazy driving rules, but it’s another $500 we could spend on rum if we don’t need a vehicle. Thoughts>?

$500 buys a lot of rum. Pus if you rent a car, the driver needs to remain relatively sober.

A cab from the airport should run about $20US. If you are planning on traveling during the day, you should be able take the public transportation (I don't know how far you Villa is from the public transportation); or you could hook up with a local cabbie and negotiate a daily rate.

VOIP… VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn’t have any stupid internet rules.

I know someone in Sosua that uses Vonage.

Oh yeah, Rum… How’s the DR Rum compare,,, I’ve always been partial to PR Rum.

Dominican rum is very good. Although, when I drink rum straight, I prefer Nicaraguan rum, but if you are mixing it, most rums taste the same.

BTW, welcome to DR1 and enjoy your trip.

 

[Rocky]

White water rafting.. So is Iquana Mama’s the only tour company or can someone suggest a local guide for a private group>?

You can walk around town and see if anybody else is offering the package and compare prices.

VOIP… VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn’t have any stupid internet rules. The villa is set up with highspeed internet, so I’d like to bring my VOIP phone but does anyone know what the DR internet laws are for VOIP>?

You wouldn't have to concern yourself with Dominican laws restraining you.
If voip prohibits it's usage abroad, that's the only problem you could run into, with them.

Oh yeah, Rum… How’s the DR Rum compare,,, I’ve always been partial to PR Rum.

I think it's world class, specially for the price.
Every island's rhum taste different, so it may be just a matter of personal taste.

 

[Conchman]

If you have driven in 3rd world countries before, then go ahead, just make sure you expect the unexpected and then something even more stupid by other drivers. Drive to Cabarete once during day and once for night time partying. Dominican Rum I recommend Barcelo cause Brugal is a little Brutal. Also a drive to Costambar or Cofresi recommended, to eat out at some restaurants.

 

[joecanada]

Don't bother renting an suv. Take a tour or a taxi when you want to go out and see something. you can always take a publico to Cabarete or POP if you want to be adventurous.

VOIP works fine if you can find free wireless internet access.

Go do the waterfall hike at damajagua -- a blast!

Cheers!

Joe

 

[Rocky]

VOIP works fine if you can find free wireless internet access.

As per the OP's post, the villa he rented is already set up with high speed internet.

 

[DominicanScotty]

Good choices

Hola chicos y chicas,

This is my first post here...but I’ve been reading the posts and archives for a week. I’m taking a little trip to the República Dominicana in early August. This is my first trip to DR,, and my first vacation in over 3 years, so it is going to be a good one! My good friend, and my 16yo son and I have rented a large villa in Sosua for 5 days of fun, sun, and of course, mass consumption of large quantities of rum.

So I have a few questions and I’m hoping some of yall can help me out.

Rental or Taxi>? We are flying into POP, and I reserved an SUV. But we’re having second thoughts about the SUV now. We are pretty adventurous, and like to get out and see things on our own rather than in tour groups. We’ve driven in 2nd and 3rd world countries so I’m no stranger to unimproved roads and crazy driving rules, but it’s another $500 we could spend on rum if we don’t need a vehicle. Thoughts>?

White water rafting.. So is Iquana Mama’s the only tour company or can someone suggest a local guide for a private group>?

VOIP… VOIP phones like Vonage allow you to connect anywhere in the world, providing you have a highspeed internet connection, and IF the country doesn’t have any stupid internet rules. The villa is set up with highspeed internet, so I’d like to bring my VOIP phone but does anyone know what the DR internet laws are for VOIP>?

Oh yeah, Rum… How’s the DR Rum compare,,, I’ve always been partial to PR Rum.

Well any suggestions or comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John

I am happy that you have made the choice of staying in Sosua vs an AI resort, good for you!

Sosua is a small enough town where you can get just about anywhere on foot or moto concho (motorcycle taxi). If you want to get out of town there are public transport vans called "Gua-guas", public cars called "publicos" or taxis or even the big tour buses to take you to Santiago, Samana or Santo Domingo. Two taxi stands are in town. One is near the La Roca Restaurant and the other is near Harrison's Jewelry Store. The gua-guas run along the man road. Going out to the "bomba" Texaco Gas Station and farmacia if you went right will take you to Puerto Plata and left will take you to Cabarete.

Stop in and see Marco (known as Rocky on this board) in his restaurant. His place, called Rocky's on Calle Dr. Rosen. Go to the taxi stand by Harrisons and walk straight through the intersection with Harrisons on the right hand side. Rockys is a few doors down on the right just before the supermarket. You got to stop and see Big Lou at the New York Shark Bar. Using Harrisons as a reference guide. Cross the street from Harrisons walk across to an old closed down disco called Moby Dicks, turn left up the street and the Shark Bar is on the right hand side just before Seacrets Disco, the Shark Bar is open after 7 PM. Marco and Big Lou will assist you with anything you need to know.

 

[Hillbilly]

That $500 will do a lot of travelling, for sure. White water rafting is probably done up in Jarabacoa, and that is a just a slightly involved bus ride. Sosua-> Santiago->La Vega->Jarabacoa, then a moto concho into the rivers...Work a deal rather then attempt this first time here.

Other trips, like to Damajagua are easy and exciting. Ocean World is a great Attraction....

A trip to Santiago, not a tourist city at all, is worth a day of running around.
Great museum, old city center, stuff to see and do.
I'll help you if need be...

Sosúa is a tidy little place where everything is right there. Eddy's Sport Bar for TV sports and cold, cold beers. Rocky's for ribs and garlic chicken and cold, cold beer.

Cabarete ( a RD$10 peso bus ride) is a wild surfer's paradise....

Puerto Plata ( a RD$20 bus ride) is an old, XIX century port city....

Rum: For sipping, ther is Barceló Imperial, an 8 yr old rum. There is also a Siboney Red Lable that is pretty good. Bermúdez makes a 151 proof that is great to take home for Christmas punches. (Core a pineapple, fill it with 151 proof, refrigerate, add to punch....WOW!!)
Brugal Añejo (pronounced by non-locals as "Any joe" ), comes with a golden mesh. Pretty good with Coke and lime juice...

HB

Oh yes, most of us do not recommend driving for newbies here, at least the first time. Let somebody else do the driving....safer and much, much cheaper.

 

[Rocky]

Public transport price updates.

The public cars or guaguas are more like 20 pesos to Cabarete & 30 to Puerto Plata, as gas prices rose recently, and so did the transport costs.

 

[DavidZ]

I used Taxis and public transport my first 5 or 6 trips... really no need for a car if your staying in Sosua, especially for your first time. It's a great "walking town", and relatively inexpensive to have someone else drive you around. Talk to a few cabbies until you find one that speaks english decently and get his cell number. It will probably be cheaper to negotiate trip rates and day rates (vs. renting an SUV) with him, and you can truly enjoy the ride. Many of these guys will also act as a tour guide and interpreter for you as well, you can see some things "off the beaten path" if you'd like.

There are several tour companies in Sosua..just walk down the main street and you'll see their shops. They have brochures and pictures of the different day trips... Some offer around 20 different ones, and they are usually pretty reasonable, especially if you bargain a bit. I recommend the Waterfall/Jungle tour... I paid $25 for a full day that included unlimited rum, a really good lunch, and intersting tour of cocoa, coffee, chocolate, cigar, and petrified wood processing/making, then ended up with an awesome trek up 7 waterfalls with sliding and jumping back down... I used Fun Tours in Cabarete, they seemed to offer the most for the least $$.

Vonage is no problem here, just bring your box... or you can use Skype or Yahoo Voice, etc. with just your laptop and a headset.

As for rum... DR's is on a par or better than most others... including PR, and there are several premium versions, as have been mentioned above. Go to the Super Super on the main street in Sosua for the best prices and selection (that I've seen).

If you do decide to rent a car... speak to Joshua at Tropicar at POP airport... he speaks perfect English and he'll give you a good deal and treat you well

 

[abe]

Don't drive if you can avoid it.

You might even find some other convivial vacationers and share a van and drive for the day to Playa Grande area, for example. Cheaper and fun.

I still love the little fruit plantation near Playa Grande--I hope someone can give directions and current info on it.

It is a microcosm of all fruits that grow in the DR--you tour them, watch the "tipico" machete -wielding coconut huskers, but then you get to eat the fruit and sample the honey from their hives. I realize you may have seen lots of tropical fruits before, but if not, it's fun.

And on the way to Playa Grande.

 

[nickijay]

If you decide against hiring a car as well as the tour companies in sosua the aqua center in casa marina can arrange tours very reasonably info@aqua-center.com

 

[Bob K]

WE have been to the Sosua area many times and are moving there full time in a month. We always have had a car. Yes the driving is crazy and yes done better sober (that would make you the only sober one on the road on sunday afternoon) and yes not for the faint of heart. However you can make a deal with the local cabbies to "rent" them for the day at a reasonalbe price and you still would not use up your $500 in 2-3 days of taxi rental.
We bring our Vonage (phone and box) with us when we are there and have had no problem with it. Actaully lent it to friend there (shall remain nameless to protect his reputation) and in one weekend he ran up 800+ minutes talking to everyone he knew in the states.
Have a great trip and enjoy a very beautiful country

Bob K

 

[Chris]

You might even find some other convivial vacationers and share a van and drive for the day to Playa Grande area, for example. Cheaper and fun.

I still love the little fruit plantation near Playa Grande--I hope someone can give directions and current info on it.

It is a microcosm of all fruits that grow in the DR--you tour them, watch the "tipico" machete -wielding coconut huskers, but then you get to eat the fruit and sample the honey from their hives. I realize you may have seen lots of tropical fruits before, but if not, it's fun.

And on the way to Playa Grande.

I'd love to know more about this. We've passed the area many times, but never saw this, or a sign for it or anything. More info please?

 

[CyaBye3015]

I've rented cars in Sousa b4 for $30/40 US per day, so if you want to explore for a day or two you may want to consider that.

 

[Hillbilly]

You can have an air conditioned car and driver for $30 or $40 dollars a day (okay, maybe a bit more, but not much//)

Funny, nobody has mentioned the archane traffic laws here. The most pertinent one for you, the OP, is that if you are in a fender bender, you don't just exchange information and go on your way. You have to go to the local Police station and make a statement to the Police--say three or four hours of frustration. Oh yes, if someone, like a local "motoconcho"** driver was scratched up as he smashed into the side of your car as he ran a stop sign or a red light (oh yes they do....all the time!!), then YOU go to jail, until things are cleared up!!!!!!! No schitt Shakespeare.....

So, you still want to rent a car?? Hummmmmmmmmmmmmm?


HB< the Voice of Newbie Reason!!>

** Motoconcho = a ubiquitous and highly popular form of transportation that includes
motorcycles and passengers, but can also include 100 lb propane tanks (the Dominican Atomic Bomb) or entire families on a two wheeled conveyance!!

 

[CaptnJohn]

Gracias

Wow, gracias for all the replies and excellent advice.

So, I?ve already cancelled the SUV Rental. The villa is only a block off Pedro Clisante, so I don?t think we?ll have any problem with transportation.

The VOIP is definitely coming with.

And I really appreciate the advice from all you rum connoisseurs,

I?ll be sure and post a trip report when I get back

Thanks,
John

 

[rellosk]

You can have an air conditioned car and driver for $30 or $40 dollars a day (okay, maybe a bit more, but not much//)

If you use the taxi drivers from one of the taxi stands, it's quite a bit more than that (even after negotiating), especially if you want the driver to take you any distance.

But, you are 100% correct on the risks of driving.

 

[bob saunders]

I've driven in Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt and thought I could drive in the DR, but other than the little places like Jarabacoa forget it. There are plenty of reliable drivers than you can rent for the day at a resonable price that will take you anywhere you want to go.
In Jarabacoa there is Rancho Biaguate(sp) that does white water rafting and canyon exploring. They have a website.