Why empty restaurants in Las Terrenas ??

[4*4*4]

One could live in Florida more cheaply than in the DR.

There are items more expensive in the DR, with cars being a major one. However, if you add up fine dining, health care, monthly maintenance on home, and housing, the DR is a bargain. Are you comparing an average, eating at home lifestyle in Florida with country club living in the DR? Many spend more in the DR, ie., golf everyday, spa services, etc... but that is a different statement.

 

[Bronxboy]

Off topic , but in the States a mandatory tip of 15% is added to the bill for large parties in certain restaurants not all.

 

[sylindr]

What tip? You dont tip percentage of bill in dr. I am told 100rd is often too much

If you go out for a nice dinner and spend four or five thousand pesos and then leave a 100 peso tip? hahahaha... I would not go back to that restaurant as they will indeed remember you

 

[harry myrtle beach]

If you go out for a nice dinner and spend four or five thousand pesos and then leave a 100 peso tip? hahahaha... I would not go back to that restaurant as they will indeed remember you

Yes and they will spit in your food before they bring it out!!

 

[harry myrtle beach]

One could live in Florida more cheaply than in the DR.

yes in a trailer park

 

[rfp]

Yes and no. If you are happy with being in America and all that it offers, ie parks, places to walk, good public education etc and are fine with having your lifestyle somewhat limited then yes.
If you like to eat out, take weekend trips, overdrink have household help etc you can do better in RD

As a family man trying to be responsible our choice is pretty obvious

 

[Casino127]

When i had a bar in the country side, my 3 waitresses had a good base salary and the tip was always a free beer or scotch from the guest.

 

[Garyexpat]

I have asked myself the same question as I see empty bars and restaurants all throughout Santiago. Apparently since the 2008 recession the country has not recovered. I read somewhere that there are 10% of the taxis working at night as there were prerecession. Anyhow, the ones still in operation I imagine are running with a skeleton crew and are breaking even at best. The owners probably have several businesses and investments and view the restaurant as a sunk cost, they will never get their original investment out of it, so they are trying to ride this out hoping things get better. Also remember that labor costs are much cheaper as employees are only paid $1-2 per hour. My 2 cents.

I realize that many may be empty but that is competition and Santiago relies much less on tourist business. I frequently go to Aroma del Sol, Tablon, Puerto del Sol, KGB and others and they are doing just fine. There are also many in Los Jardines that are doing well obviously the weekends are more crowded but this is pretty much the same everywhere... My 3 cents.

 

[windeguy]

yes in a trailer park

Or in a condo in Florida.