Sosua vs. Negril

[Thandie]

And to the original poster, since you are a solo male traveller who is thinking of travelling to Sosua...
just so you are aware the town of Sosua, which is where the majority of bars and restuarants are and very close to the beach is a big prostitute hang out, a kind of red light district of the island. Bigger than any one I have seen in any other Caribbean island.
To the point that one of my Dominican girlfriends refused to go to a restaurant there at night once, because she said there are too many hookers and she didnt want to be seen amongst that crowd. So something to maybe keep in mind in terms of women trying to constantly 'sell' to you.
And I know as a someone who has travelled solo people tend to approach you more when you are alone...which can be good or bad.

 

[bob saunders]

Bob:

You are absolutely correct, on that note I think I will crack open an ice cold Molson from The Canadian.

tambo'

What, you can get canuck beer in the Dominican.

 

[mike l]

Y Don da Dominican no how make me jerk chicken mon.

 

[Thandie]

Y Don da Dominican no how make me jerk chicken mon.

Hahaha!
Sorry need a translation...is Don da Dominican a guy you know who cooks jerk?
If yes, where is he? And is he single? I will be willing to Sanky a guy who can cook some good Jamaican Jerk Chicken LOL

 

[Buster1]

we were just in sosua a couple of weeks ago and loved it..went to both cabarete and sosua and found people in general very friendly there and very safe to walk around day and night...there were no signs of prostitutes anywhere and we were staying in a resort in the centre of town. pf sosua. liked it so much we bought down there..
we were told that there is constant control over prostitution in the area...
we have been to jamaica a number of years ago and have spoken to people recently that have been there and you do not have the freedom in jamaica as you are constantly harrassed..it is unsafe ..to walk there ..

 

[catcherintherye]

How many times have we been through this debate. It seems endless, but apparently it is still an issue, so once more into the breach, or, as I would prefer, once more onto the beach.

I realize the risk of being deleted on this thread is a concern for those who express themselves candidly. With that in mind, I'll be candid, although perhaps not long lasting.

There is prostitution everywhere in the world. There is more prostitution in the third world. These are facts, and they are relative to the co-existing facts of poverty and inadequate educational opportunities in third world countries. There is no getting around that.

Given that these conditions exist throughout the world, and certainly in the DR, and given that they will continue to exist for the foreseeable future, the question becomes, to what extent do these conditions affect tourists?

Perhaps Thandie knows something I am unaware of, but I have never been bothered by prostitutes in Sosua, and I seriously doubt anyone who wishes not to be bothered by them will have any problems whatsoever. There are many people who never so much as see a prostitute, while spending time in Sosua. There are too many other things that keep them occupied.

Certainly, anyone wishing to find a prostitute can do so, but as far as being harassed, it simply doesn't happen. Prostitutes don't make any money harassing unwilling customers. There is nothing to be gained, and they have no interest in drawing unwanted attention to themselves by engaging in such activity.

Sosua is a great place to live or to visit. There are a wide variety of activities available to tourists, and it is also a wonderful place to just sit back and relax. Other than recognizing the existence of prostitution, and the social conditions which enable it, there is no reason why anyone would be bothered by the prostitutes in Sosua, any more than they would be in New York City.

I highly recommend Sosua as a place to visit. It is small enough to enjoy in a week, and it has enough to offer for those looking to stay for a longer period of time. It's a great little town.

 

[meregirl]

Adding my two cents

As a person who was formerly in love with Jamaica, I have since abandoned it once I discovered the Dominican Republic. The people are much much nicer and they are not as agressive. The island is more diverse and beautiful to me and my dollar goes farther in the DR than it did in Jamaica. There is also so much more to do in the DR and I like that most of this country has not lost its originality in favor of the AI, like unfortunately Negril seems to.

The only thing I will say that I prefer in Jamaica to DR is the thing that has already been pointed out and it is the FOOD!!! My god I miss those beef patties and jerk pork!! But not enough to give up a trip back to DR for it.

 

[Thandie]

Hello Cather,

You speak from your personal experience visiting the town of Sosua for vacations (correct me if I a wrong but I dont think you live there?) and from what you have heard. My experience is from actually living on the island and being fortunate to have travelled extensively around the DR, other respectable Dominicans and from what people who live in the Sosua area have told me about their experience. I know a male who lives in the Infiniti Blu complex in the area and he really dislikes Sosua, because of what the large levels of prostitution brings to the area. I also know another female who lived in the area and disliked it as well. Sosua is my least favourite place on the island. So your experience is not everyones experience is all I am saying. But I am happy that you enjoy the area.

The OP poster asked for the truth about the Sosua area. And I think it is would be erroneous not to mention that fact and not to be truthful that there is a high amount of prostitution in town. I have been to Santiago, La Vega, Santo Domingo, Las Terranas, Higuey, Punta Cana, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, etc. and lived in dowtown to POP and am very familiar with the POP area which includes Sosua and Cabarette. What I see in the town of Sosua I have NOT seen in any other place I have visited on the island, or any other Caribbean island for that matter. One of my Dominican friends told me that prostitutes from all over the country go to Sosua.
Cabarete which is more to my liking has been cracking down on prostitutes in the area, to the point that some local women who are not prostitutes have been harassed by the police too (as mentioned is a recent thread). As was suggested Cabarete business owners obviously dont want what that amount of prostitution brings because it will negatively affect tourism.
This may not be a concern to the OP but he does need to know this info. in my opinion so he can make the best choice for him.

And you may not have been bothered by a prostitute/pimp in the area but it does happen. I have seen it, heard stories about it and recently there were a few threads about it on this board. As an expat mentioned in a recent thread about another expat mentioning he was harassed and threatened by a prostitute and her pimp in the town of Sosua said....
"I don't now where you come from, but all this goes to remind some of the readers, that as little recommendable it is to frequent red light districts in YOUR country or city, it much less is to do that in a foreign city or country.
I see so many folks which would not even approach some of the "not so fine" neighborhoods around THEIR city, stroll around shady "districts" in countries like this one with a nonchalance like they'd be visiting Buckingham palace.
Where there are hookers, there are drugs, drug dealers and erratic addicts and umpredictable drunks, as well as pimps and would be pimps and a whole list of undesirable characters hanging around. Most with no regular income yet expensive addictions, dreams, habits and tastes which easily turns them either into opportunists or hardened criminals. "Ola mah frend" may sound cute... but then one ought take a look around and all them "Friends" and ask where the *@#%$ am I."

I hold the same opinion.

 

[Thandie]

The only thing I will say that I prefer in Jamaica to DR is the thing that has already been pointed out and it is the FOOD!!! My god I miss those beef patties and jerk pork!! But not enough to give up a trip back to DR for it.

Ok that does it, there is obviously a market demand. The people have spoken LOL. This is what the DR needs a good reggae bar that plays live reggae, and serves some good Jamaican food.

 

[jrhartley]

the red light district as it has been called is not really that much of a problem .At the height of the witching hour its possible to walk through what is basically only one bar in the centre of town and only get lightly touched on the arm once - hardly being molested by rampant prostitutes - I think they add a bit of colour to the place.
The worst place for being hasstled (not by prostitutes) was the square in Puerto plata - it was impossible to stay around the area the first time as you werent given time to think with the constant barrage of motos and guides and people trying to direct you to their shop

the next time you are ready for the unslaught - the third time you decide to shop elsewhere or sneak in round the round

 

[North coast newbie]

One thing missing here in he DR is the culture of respect. Jamaicans firmly believe in respect towards their fellow man. That said, I still like it here better.

 

[Music]

LOL I would be there for sure

Ok that does it, there is obviously a market demand. The people have spoken LOL. This is what the DR needs a good reggae bar that plays live reggae, and serves some good Jamaican food.

 

[NALs]

DR vs. Jamaica threads:

2001: DR vs. Jamaica

2003: DR vs. Jamaica

-NALs

 

[catcherintherye]

You speak from your personal experience visiting the town of Sosua for vacations (correct me if I a wrong but I dont think you live there?)
Thandie

I wouldn't say you were wrong necessarily, just not very accurate in your description.

While I do have two homes, one in the US and one in Sosua, and while I do travel to Sosua during my vacations, as well as other times, I consider myself to be much more than an 'accidental tourist'.

I am a resident of the DR, and I own a condo in Sosua. Actually, I feel more at home in Sosua I do in the US, but that is my own subjective feeling. The bottom line is, Sosua is my real home, by design and intention. In any event, I think you were off the mark in the way you described me.

Apart from that, I think the reason you described me in such a fashion was to bolster your own argument by attempting to negate mine. Although I can understand your motivation, I strongly disagree with your tactics, your observations, and your conclusions.

I think it's great that you are "fortunate to have travelled extensively around the DR, (with) other respectable Dominicans" . However, that alone doesn't qualify you as an insightful or objective observer. In fact, might have limited your ability to see things objectively, since you were exposed to only one perspective, and that one being clearly elitist.

Apparently you are used to being the focus of attention. and there's nothing wrong with that, except that when a person is in that position, they rarely have an opportunity to focus on the entire picture.

You certainly have the right to your opinion, but please do not attempt to make your opinion seem more valid than it is by misrepresenting others.

 

[Thandie]

I think you were off the mark in the way you described me.

Apart from that, I think the reason you described me in such a fashion was to bolster your own argument by attempting to negate mine.

I think it's great that you are "fortunate to have travelled extensively around the DR, (with) other respectable Dominicans" . However, that alone doesn't qualify you as an insightful or objective observer. In fact, might have limited your ability to see things objectively, since you were exposed to only one perspective, and that one being clearly elitist.

Apparently you are used to being the focus of attention.

Firstly,

You need to reread my post....
"Hello Cather,

"You speak from your personal experience visiting the town of Sosua for vacations (correct me if I a wrong but I dont think you live there?) and from what you have heard. My experience is from actually living on the island and being fortunate to have travelled extensively around the DR, other respectable Dominicans and from what people who live in the Sosua area have told me about their experience. I know a male who lives in the Infiniti Blu complex in the area and he really dislikes Sosua, because of what the large levels of prostitution brings to the area. I also know another female who lived in the area and disliked it as well. Sosua is my least favourite place on the island. So your experience is not everyones experience is all I am saying. But I am happy that you enjoy the area."

Show me where I am attempting to negate your argument? Do you see the the question mark bolded in my first sentence? That means I was asking you a question to confirm what I recall you stating previous posts.
I shared my experience and the experiences of other people I know who have a different view than yours. All I was saying is (that has been said by many other expats on this board) that people who live here full time, see and experience things that people may not be aware of! My friend who I mentioned dislikes the Sousa are said he visited 20 times and now that he is living there has a different opinion. There are numerous expats on the board who described the area as I did.

Also read the last sentence where I say 'So your experience is not everyones experience is all I am saying. But I am happy that you enjoy the area."

Never once did I descibe you in such a manner as an "accidental tourist" as you suggest. Just that there are things that I am aware of that you may not.

Secondly you added the word WITH into my quote. Most of my travels around the island were solo and yes my friends are respectable and far from elitists. I dont know why you would equate 'respectable' and 'elitist'. Please dont ADD TO what I said, to imply or come to the conclusion that I am an elitist.....and your statement that 'apparently I am use to getting attention'.... how you came to these conclusions from this thread escapes me?

Look Catcher, you are trying to make this personal because you obviously are sensitive to having the area that you love and call home and invested money in, in terms of real estate, described in the manner that I and other posters have....
As you said in your 1st post in this thread.....illsustrates its a hotbutton topic for you.
"How many times have we been through this debate. It seems endless, but apparently it is still an issue, so once more into the breach, or, as I would prefer, once more onto the beach." Catcher

or you have an issue with me from a prior thread (which I dont recall) or both.
I honestly was not attacking you or trying to negate your argument, because if I was you would know because I would be direct about it.

Look this is a message board where people give their opinions. Some you will like and agree with and other opinions you wont. Dont take it so personal, cause it wasnt meant that way.
Good day!

 

[Buster1]

i agree with you as we just bought a place there and had no concerns..it is a lovely little town with lots to do..and very friendly people

 

[anng3]

We live here too. When I first read these boards about all the prostitution in Sosua and Cabarete I was put off but the reality is much tamer. It also depends on your lifestyle and the hours you keep. The swimming is amazing and the bay is gorgeous. Plus the internationalism, the walkability and the small town feel adds to it's charm. I guess it just depends on what you are looking for as to how you view it. We also looked at Costa Rica and Jamaica before choosing here.

 

[catcherintherye]

Thandie,

I didn't take your post personally. And I do not have any issue with you, either as a result of this thread or any other. I was only attempting to clarify my position and perspective, which I thought you might have misunderstood.

We all see things differently, and this is one of those issues that has been kicked around for a very long time, and at times it becomes tedious. So, if I seemed upset, please understand it was because of the topic, and had nothing to do with you as an individual.

To further clarify, I do not consider my home in Sosua an investment. It is the place where I will reside permanently, in the very near future. I'm not looking for a quick "turn-over" or a fast profit. I bought the condo only because I want to live there.

In addition, I do not defend Sosua in the hope of increasing the resale value of my condo, or any other property, for that matter. I am simply not in the market to buy or sell. I bought there because I like it there. I have no hidden agenda whatsoever. It's really not my style, nor would I be much good at it.

If I offended you in any way, I apologize. That was not my intent.

 

[spasticnapjerk]

NALs, thank you for the links. I should have searched. Reading the links answered my questions...more than one person complained about how a lot of Jamaicans wouldn't accept "No, thank you" for whatever they were offering. Some people would even get angry at you. Having to do business with every Tom Dick and Harry you run into on the street, in a club, outside a club, or on the beach gets old quickly. If you really respect me, mon, let me chill out in this here beach chair for a couple of hours without being hassled!

And I know what this is about - someone trying to make a living. I really do appreciate that someone is trying to show me something that I may buy, and when I say "Thank you for asking, but no thank you," it's sincere and that should be the end of it. But for some reason a whole lot of Jamaicans don't take it well. THAT will ruin my vacation - not sunburns, bad food, indifferent staff, hotel rooms and bathrooms not up to US standards, expensive transportation, two-tiered pricing schemes, 24% tax on restaurant food, crazy drivers, bad roads, or spotty electricity.

Jamaica is a beautiful country with great people, as I said before. I would go back.

But it's time to go somewhere else. More than one poster in those threads said that the hassle factor is much less in the DR.

 

[spasticnapjerk]

Thandie, yes, people, places and sites. Gri Gri sounds cool. I need to go up in the mountains. I need pictures of waterfalls, awesome beaches, ect. So Sosua and Cabarete sound good and I'm also planning to visit Samana.