Santiago over night trip - want to come along?

[Nakom]

Nakom, drdreamer, and hwyrider37 are planning a quick over-night trip to Santiago to check it out. I have an SUV rented to travel to and from, but we will take cabs while in town. That leaves room for one more guy (4 total).

Leave Sunday May 23rd - Return Monday May 24th

The main reason for going is to see more of the DR, get out of Sosua for a day, and from what I have heard the chicas are way better than in Sosua. Lighter skinned semi-pro hotties from the University.

The Plan:

Leave Sunday at noon from NG. Check into Aloha Sol ($50 / night). Check out the monument. Hit Kelvins car wash. Back to Hotel. Clean up and have dinner at Montezumas. Hit Ahi bar for Kareoke. Hit Illisions and possibly Passions if we have time. Smash some hotties at the hotel. Have free breakfast at the hotel and book it back to Sosua.

This is not set in stone, but at least something to get us going.

Our 4th that was originally planning on coming had to back out. Unfortunatly, he was the guy that spoke fluent spanish. If there are any ISOC'ers in or around Sosua on those dates that speaks fluent spanish and would like to come along please send me a pm.

Nakom

[husl2001]

Nakom, drdreamer, and hwyrider37 are planning a quick over-night trip to Santiago to check it out. I have an SUV rented to travel to and from, but we will take cabs while in town. That leaves room for one more guy (4 total).

Leave Sunday May 23rd - Return Monday May 24th

The main reason for going is to see more of the DR, get out of Sosua for a day, and from what I have heard the chicas are way better than in Sosua. Lighter skinned semi-pro hotties from the University.

The Plan:

Leave Sunday at noon from NG. Check into Aloha Sol ($50 / night). Check out the monument. Hit Kelvins car wash. Back to Hotel. Clean up and have dinner at Montezumas. Hit Ahi bar for Kareoke. Hit Illisions and possibly Passions if we have time. Smash some hotties at the hotel. Have free breakfast at the hotel and book it back to Sosua.

This is not set in stone, but at least something to get us going.

Our 4th that was originally planning on coming had to back out. Unfortunatly, he was the guy that spoke fluent spanish. If there are any ISOC'ers in or around Sosua on those dates that speaks fluent spanish and would like to come along please send me a pm.

Nakom

Sounds adventurous. A few suggestions:

1) Understand you will be limited substantially by a lack of Spanish. Santiago is NOT for beginners, and folks will act accordingly.

2) Sunday in Santiago is for families. Most businesses will be closed, and services limited accordingly as people do the go to church/visit relatives/cook for 20 guests thing.

3) Aloha Sol is an ok hotel. Don't expect much (many rooms don't even have a window), and you'll be fine.

4) Most daytime stuff of real interest happens at or near El Monumento. It's in the middle of the city, very hard to miss. If you want to check eye candy, try one of the two big malls. I like the Internacional.

5) Paraiso el Sol, which is on the loop that surrounds the Monument, is great for early early evening drinks and people watching, Kukara Makara, which is also very close to the Monument and about a 3 minute walk from Paraiso, has much better food than Montezuma, and it's right next door.

6) Ahi Bar is fun, with lots of eye candy, but it can sometimes take a while to get going.

7) Passion and Illusion (and for that matter, casa blanca) are, relatively speaking, next door to each other. Chica quality can vary from a drop-dead dyme to "eh." That's because many of the chicas there cater to Dominicans, who tend to prefer 'em a little bit thicka.

8) Last, and most important: my advice is DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. Santiago is a real city, and it is very easy to lose your bearings especially if you're checking out eye candy. A cab will take you anywhere in the city for 150 pesos, 300 to Illusions (it's out of the city, near the airport). Once you get to El Monumento, you're within easy walking distance of everything.

8a) If you're flying out on Monday, take your time to drive into Santiago and DOUBLE it. You need to factor rush hour traffic in both Puerto Plata and Santiago, and assume you'll get lost at least one driving out of Santiago (it's extremely easy to do).

Frankly, if your experience has been limited to Sosua with a few night trips to POP, I'd suggest you consider spending your Sunday at 1) Malecon on Puerto Plata in the afternoon 2) Sosua Beach in the morning 3) any town/beach east of Cabarete. All are easier to navigate, and you can treat yourselves to a couple of Cristal girls with the money and time you'll save.

[Mr Hillbilly]

I suggested he stay in Sosua if weather is nice at least till 4 or 5 on Sunday. But better off hanging near Aloha Sol Mc Donalds for a beer.
Never seen a bad time there but Ahi 9pm is time to be there park your ass near the tree in the center on the monument side.
If Ahi sucks by 11 you can bail go to the new disco by the Almirante don't know name.
Another place to go also is across from south entrance to PUCM university in that Shell station follow tha road down to bottom hang left and the is couple bars there with some lookers.

[husl2001]

I suggested he stay in Sosua if weather is nice at least till 4 or 5 on Sunday. But better off hanging near Aloha Sol Mc Donalds for a beer.
Never seen a bad time there but Ahi 9pm is time to be there park your ass near the tree in the center on the monument side.
If Ahi sucks by 11 you can bail go to the new disco by the Almirante don't know name.
Another place to go also is across from south entrance to PUCM university in that Shell station follow tha road down to bottom hang left and the is couple bars there with some lookers.

Maybe, but by 11 we both know they'll be heading to Illusion or Passion unless their Spanish dramatically improves. Which for them would be the right move, under the circumstances.

[DRboundagain]

Sounds adventurous. A few suggestions:

.....
2) Sunday in Santiago is for families. Most businesses will be closed, and services limited accordingly as people do the go to church/visit relatives/cook for 20 guests thing.

3) Aloha Sol is an ok hotel. Don't expect much (many rooms don't even have a window), and you'll be fine.........

Sunday is a slooooooow day in the big cities. Expect Aloha Sol to be a bit more than $50 a night with taxes.

Have you considered leaving Saturday and returning Sunday. What about leaving first thing Saturday morning and spend the day and night in Santo Domingo. Availability of chicas in Santo Dominigo is ten times better than Santiago.

[husl2001]

Sunday is a slooooooow day in the big cities. Expect Aloha Sol to be a bit more than $50 a night with taxes.

Have you considered leaving Saturday and returning Sunday. What about leaving first thing Saturday morning and spend the day and night in Santo Domingo. Availability of chicas in Santo Dominigo is ten times better than Santiago.

These guys were relying on a Spanish speaker to get around. And they don't know either city from a driver's perspective. There's nothing worse than being lost in a third world country at night and unable to get directions. DCI experienced that about 6 years ago. My cousin liked to talk authoritatively, even - especially - when it was clear he didn't know where the hell he was going. Their planned 6 p.m arrival in Sosua turned into them showing up about 1:30 a.m.-ish.

I agree that Saturday would be a much better night to be in either town. That said, take the bus (it's about 7 bux in a comfy bus with A/C) to get to SD from Sosua) and cab around. You might even be able to get your flight changed so you're not running back across the country to catch your plane.

[DRboundagain]

.........I agree that Saturday would be a much better night to be in either town. That said, take the bus (it's about 7 bux in a comfy bus with A/C) to get to SD from Sosua) and cab around. You might even be able to get your flight changed so you're not running back across the country to catch your plane.

What you say is much better, catch the early bus Saturday to Santo Domingo. At least in SD you can get around without speaking Spanish. Santiago is a tough town to chase chicas, just my two pesos.

[Nakom]

Thanks for all the info and help. We are not really concerned with the time or money, we just want the adventure. Not really expecting to pick up non pros - vacations are not 100% about screwing hookers. If we get some great - if we dont thats fine too. We want to see something other than the 'same old' in Sosua - which dont get me wrong is great. If you never leave the nest you only get the worm your mamma feeds you. None of us fly back Monday so we will not be rushed. You have to try these things sometime - I can go to Sosua beach or Malecon anytime, and a bus to SD is not for me, but thanks for all the sugestions.

We are driving to and from STI from Sosua (both during the daytime) but taking cabs everywhere once we are there.

I did a lot of research on this board and got some help from 8orBetter and Apostropheman. Can you guys tell me if the information I have below is correct?

Aloha Sol is right downtown and walking distance to the monument and nearby bars.
The car washes are the most busy on late afternoons sat and sun.
Ahi bar for Sunday night Kareoke is their busiest night of the week. If you do not get thier early you will not get a seat.
Illisions and Passions are p4p bars, and basic spanish is enough to negotiate a deal with a punta.

Thanks. And if any of you guys want to come along let me know. We will need at least one guy that is fluent.

[Mr Hillbilly]

It is a bitch to navigate there with all the one ways and parking is before hotel entrance under the Casino. If you get lost have moto concho lead and you follow.
I don't know what time you are leaving hotel monday but believe me hang out down by Mc Donalds and la Sirena .Girls everywhere.

[DCIronman]

Thanks for all the info and help. We are not really concerned with the time or money, we just want the adventure. Not really expecting to pick up non pros - vacations are not 100% about screwing hookers. If we get some great - if we dont thats fine too. We want to see something other than the 'same old' in Sosua - which dont get me wrong is great. If you never leave the nest you only get the worm your mamma feeds you. None of us fly back Monday so we will not be rushed. You have to try these things sometime - I can go to Sosua beach or Malecon anytime, and a bus to SD is not for me, but thanks for all the sugestions.

We are driving to and from STI from Sosua (both during the daytime) but taking cabs everywhere once we are there.

I did a lot of research on this board and got some help from 8orBetter and Apostropheman. Can you guys tell me if the information I have below is correct?

Aloha Sol is right downtown and walking distance to the monument and nearby bars.
The car washes are the most busy on late afternoons sat and sun.
Ahi bar for Sunday night Kareoke is their busiest night of the week. If you do not get thier early you will not get a seat.
Illisions and Passions are p4p bars, and basic spanish is enough to negotiate a deal with a punta.

Thanks. And if any of you guys want to come along let me know. We will need at least one guy that is fluent.

1. Yes Aloha Sol is right downtown and within walking distance of the monument and nearby bars, as well as banks, grocery stores, casinos, pharmacies, etc. They're also chica friendly as long as you're discrete.

2. Unfortunately, I haven't frequented the car washes enough to speak authoritively. But this sounds about right since they cater to dominicans, and this is when most will have time off work for drinking and "stuff".

3. Ahi Bar is a must do, and Sunday Kareoke night is a must do. The joint will be packed with hotness. Though Husl is right in that your lack of spanish will probably keep you from pulling anything there. But you never know.

4. Illusions and Pasiones are both P4P bars. There is also Casa Blanca, but keep in mind that gringos with limited spanish get hit pretty hard in these three spots. It's going to cost more than anywhere in Sosua. But the quality is likely to be much better. And they keep these joints pretty dark inside. So be sure to take your prospects into a well lit area in the joint, so you can see what you're getting.

Have fun.

[Mr Hillbilly]

About half the chics I met last trip spoke english in Ahi .

This is one of those bars with cheap Grande beers I think I bought 15 or so for chics

final bill was less than 1000 pesos.

[husl2001]

About half the chics I met last trip spoke english in Ahi .

This is one of those bars with cheap Grande beers I think I bought 15 or so for chics

final bill was less than 1000 pesos.

Wow.

A bar full of english speaking dominicanas in a town notorious for non-english speakers

Large beers for less than $1.75.

I'm sure it was a most memorable night.

[DRboundagain]

Thanks for all the info and help. We are not really concerned with the time or money, we just want the adventure. Not really expecting to pick up non pros - vacations are not 100% about screwing hookers. If we get some great - if we dont thats fine too. We want to see something other than the 'same old' in Sosua -

That is a wonderful outlook and I am sure you will enjoy yourself.

[Malo]

Wow.

A bar full of english speaking dominicanas in a town notorious for non-english speakers

Large beers for less than $1.75.

I'm sure it was a most memorable night.

We were here in the past and the food was good and there were lots of eye candy.

[swiggy]

Been to Kelvin but the night i was there it wasnt too good. i met a dominican guy that lived in New York before and he told me there are usually 15 or more chicas available on a good night.

I hear all the time that Santiago is the Mecca for light skined chicas in the DR, actually its more like there arent many Haitian chicas, so that would make the place lighter if you want to look at it this way. Otherwise there are plenty of chicas who are morena and black.


Limited Spanish + Santiago = a pretty lonely night especially on Sunday. plan on hitting Passions for chicas and paying 4000 or so pesos. dont worry, the girls are really hot so that will take the sting out of the price jump from Sosua. Dont not go there because of that either, i saw a girl in Passions who was half asian that was one of the hottest girls ive ever seen on the island but she was taken.

[Mr Hillbilly]

I don't know about that light skinned thing in Santiago there is lots of blacks with

blue eyes and Haitians, especially one block west of Aloha Sol then one block south [directly behind the flea market souvenir store]

the whole street is filled with Haitians for some reason.I don't think the ratio is different from Sosua. But just my opinion.

[swiggy]

I don't know about that light skinned thing in Santiago there is lots of blacks with

blue eyes and Haitians, especially one block west of Aloha Sol then one block south [directly behind the flea market souvenir store]

the whole street is filled with Haitians for some reason.I don't think the ratio is different from Sosua. But just my opinion.

Maybe its a bit more segregated? when ive been out in Santiago i rarely see more than 1 or 2 Haitians, Sosua is full of them. you obviously have a lot more experience than me there but to me it was night and day. however i don't see Santiago being a lighter skinned chica place as i said.

[Mr Hillbilly]

Swiggy
might been where I was down in Centro maybe its different other places. I pretty much hung out near Monument, Plaza International, las Colinas Mall and down by Aloha Sol.

The black ones I did see were hotter than anything I have seen in Cali or Cartagena.

Might be the european blue and green eyes not sure.

I usually don't chase the black or Haitian but there was a few that I had to step back and say; oh shit!

[afroski]

Frankly, if your experience has been limited to Sosua with a few night trips to POP, I'd suggest you consider spending your Sunday at 1) Malecon on Puerto Plata in the afternoon 2) Sosua Beach in the morning 3) any town/beach east of Cabarete. All are easier to navigate, and you can treat yourselves to a couple of Cristal girls with the money and time you'll save.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but you mention towns/beaches east of Cabarete, could you elaborate. I've driven to Rio San Juan but never stopped at any of the towns in between Cabarete and there.

[Nakom]

DCI - thanks a lot - that makes me feel a lot better abut this trip. And thanks to everyone for all the help. Now we just need a 4th who speaks good spanish.