Camaro’s Santiago Guide March 2015
Gentleman I have completed my first long term trip to the Dominican Republic. Although I now live on the north coast I plan to spend time in Santiago frequently, therefore I decided to take an extensive look at the Santiago to include monger friendly hotels and the general monger scene and venues.
This is not a complete list of all the Santiago venues just the venues I have visited. This guide is a companion to my Santiago hotel guide, there was just entirely too much information to include in one comprehensive thread. It should be noted that Santiago is much more diverse than the information contained in this guide which only scratches the surface.
Below I have listed my notes for your review.
Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration
On a hill overlooking Santiago the marble monument began in 1944 on the orders of ex president Rafael Trujillo. He named it the "Trujillo's Monument to Peace." Trujillo was assassinated in 1961, after which the monument was renamed the "Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration", in remembrance of the Independence Restoration War of 1863, in which the Dominican Republic regained its independence from Spain.
The monument is absolutely beautiful at night because it is illuminated. It is the center of attraction for Santiago and also one of the primary places freelances walk the stroll after midnight.
The chica stroll Santiago
The area around the Casino Pure and the Monument are known for street walkers of a decent caliber. Some look like PFP and others do not. I saw some 7's-8's in the area.
Calle Resturacion close to Parque El Chechas about 5 minutes from the monument is crack alley. There were a half dozen street walkers in the area mixed in with some transvestites. You can find 3's-5's in this area for 300DOP and there was a short time hotel in the area I did not check the cost because I did not want to get out of the car. I am only reporting on this venue for intel purposes but I will pass on 300 peso chicas thank you very much.
Hotel Matum Casino Complex
The Hotel Matum Casino Complex next to the Monument that is known for its freelance action. All that is required is look for women who maintain extended eye contact. I have listed the following venues on its property:
- Casino
- Club Pure
- Tabu
I checked all the venues and they were very slow but I believe I was there at the wrong time of the week. Santiago often doesn’t get cranking until after 1am.
Bella Terra Mall
Bella Terra Mall is a multiple level mall with parts outside and parts inside with an open air feel. It was a nice mall however there were many spaces vacant which gave it a ghetto feel.
Migras Bella Terra Mall
Migras is an outdoor venue (bar restaurant) in the entrance of the Bella Terra Mall. It has an excellent vibe the only problem would be in the event of inclement weather it would be uncomfortable. On the night I was there it was a little cool around 68 degrees but not as cool as it was in Sosua the previous week.
I absolutely love this place the staff and the food was great. They specialize in fruit drinks and other alcoholic beverages. After dark a DJ fires up the turn tables and it changes from an outdoor restaurant to a club atmosphere. There were a couple for birthday celebrations while I was there. I highly recommend this venue and I surely will return on my next visit to Santiago.
Las Colinas Mall
Las Colinas Mall is a 3 story multifaceted mall with a Jumbo Superstore theater food court etc. I did a meet and greet there because I felt a public place was good since she was a civilian.
Novo Bar & Salad Las Colinas Mall
Novo Bar & Salad is in the center of the mall they serve light food and drinks. The service was good and the waiter was very attentive. I had Yaroa and my date had the same and we shared the same Sprite.
Vitolas Cigar Club & Restaurant
Vitolas is next door to Platino Hotel & Casino and has an indoor and outdoor section. I walked inside and could smell the cigar smoke so I decided to go outside in the open air section.
There was a cigar, food and drink menu. It was a laid back atmosphere and the club faced the street so you could watch the cars go by and enjoy the evening breeze. I did not try the food but the drink I had was good. This is a good date spot or a spot just to chill.
It should be noted that Vitolas and Hotel Platino go like hand and glove for dinner dates…if you know what I mean…
Ahi Bar Café Grill
Ahi Bar is an outdoor restaurant and bar. This is reported to be a prime location for las solteras non& semi pros. There is valet parking in a very small parking lot. There were Mercedes and Range Rovers along with less expensive Toyotas in the parking lot. There is a diverse menu to include all types of appetizers to main courses of chicken and fish. In addition the menu included comida tipico. The average menu cost was 500pesos.You are greeted by a hostess and security guard with a shot gun. The hostess seats you and a waiter serves you.
On the night of my attendance there was karaoke with a live host. Some of the participants were quite good. There were mostly couples and I only saw a few singles the night I was there. Maybe it was me but the staff wasn’t very friendly.
Puerta de Sol part 2
I decided to take a date to Puerta de Sol which is an outdoor restaurant and bar across from the Monument. Puerta de Sol has tables and chairs along with flat screen TV’s around the venue. I counted 10 flat screen TV’s all dispaying different channels from sports to videos to news. There was a DJ present playing all of of the current Latin favorites Romeo Santos etc.
I noticed Range Rovers and Mercedes parked in the front along the sidewalk. I noticed mostly groups of people and couples however there were a few solteras.
The ambiance of this restaurant is excellent and the food was good also. Drinks and dinner for 2 should be between 1500-2000pesos. The menu was diverse with seafood, chicken and steaks however I did not see any comida tipica. Although I loved the ambiance of the restaurant with its view of the Monument I found the service to be lacking. My waiter was not very attentive nor did he come across as warm or friendly. I would recommend this restaurant for its ambiance and for the experience.
Kukaramakara Restaurant
Kukaramakara Restaurant is one of the restaurants that is on the periphery of the Monument like Puerta de Sol. You are greeted at the door by someone who seats you who is followed by a waiter. It is a western themed restaurant which the staff wearing cowboy attire to include cowboy hats boots and 6 shooters on their hips. There were pictures of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood inside the restaurant which I thought was ironic for being in a city in the Dominican Republic where maybe less than 20% of the people speak English.
In comparison to Puerto de Sol and Ahi Bar the menu is very small with only 1 page as opposed to 4 or 5 at the other restaurants. In addition most items started at 700pesos up to 1200pesos for seafood dishes. The menu included seafood chicken jury overpriced but I realize most things around the monument are inflated.
Lovera Bar
The Lovera Bar is an indoor night club live entertainment venue. There is a Lovera Bar and Liquor Store that are side by side with people in front of both. There were high end Mercedes, Porches and other vehicles on the street parked in front of the club. On the night that I went I paid 300pesos cover charge but there was live entertainment I don’t know the name of the group but they were playing mostly Merengue. The venue has VIP areas around the walls and groups of tables on the floor. The stage can be used for live entertainment or for the DJ depending on the night. I did see a couple of tables with just solteras but mostly everybody in the club was coupled up.
***You might need to wear long sleeves because the air-conditioning was freezing. I am glad I was wearing a sport coat or else I would have been very uncomfortable.
22 VIP Club
22 VIP Club is on the rooftop of Las Colinas Mall. It has a very nice ambiance inside with a very modern appearance. There was no dance floor just VIP seating around the walls and general seating on the floor. I was very slow when I was there just a group of people celebrating a birthday and a few other stragglers.
Grand Slam VIP (El Cuarto Frio)
This was a hole in the wall hood joint where everyone was packed liked sardines. Quite a few people were smoking hookah and the music was blasting reggaeton.
Everyone in there seemed to be in their early 20's and almost every chica I saw was doable 7's-8's they were young tenderonies smiling dancing and having a good time. It wasn't the most comfortable place but I loved the authentic Dominican vibe.
Passions
Passions is off Autopista Duarte and has the appearance of a normal club despite the fact the chicas are PFP and there are rooms on site. There is a dance floor with very comfortable chairs and tables. Like most Santiago Clubs the music is very loud and for some strange reason they keep it very dark in there. You get patted down at the door and someone guides you with a flash light to a place to sit.
There was no attack of the chicas like Cristals in Puerto Plata in fact most of the chicas seemed very un-interested. There were clearly some 8’s and 9’s in the house but I was not interested in pulling the trigger.
***Illusions and Casa Blanca was the other casa style clubs in Santiago but they are currently closed.
Xstacy Sports Bar
Xstacy Sports Bar is across the street from Plaza Hermanos Gomez Diaz. It is an indoor night club with a dance floor and DJ. In addition there is an outdoor balcony where I believe you can order food. When I walked in I was greeted by a wall of hookah smoke. The club reminded me a little of Classicos. There were a couple of VIP areas around the wall with people who appeared to be celebrating something. The waitresses are available for a 500peso salida and there were also what appeared to be freelancers there also. You can negotiate with the chicas individually for their tarifa.
The women in this venue were very attractive 7’s and 8’s no doubt.
Hermanos Gomez Diaz –Calle Espano America
This is the premier car wash in Santiago were it is reported that drug traffickers frequent and the chicas are high end $100.00 plus. There is a car wash and a covered outdoor venue with a bar VIP areas and regular seating. Like many places hooka is very popular there
International Car Wash- Autopista Duarte
This is my favorite car wash in Santiago most of the women are 7’s and 8’s and I have met a couple of nice chicas there. There is an indoor venue and outdoor seating area. They have a dance pole where chicas dance.
In my experience it is best to get there early in the evening because after 11pm there are so many men present it can be uncomfortable…at least for me it was.
Colonial Car Wash (La Colina Plaza) - Autopista Duarte
This car wash is about 10 minutes from the International Car wash on the same street. On the last 2 occasions I have been here I have been unimpressed with the talent and the venue. The choicas look at you as if you are crazy. Will somebody tell me why I would spend 3k on a woman who cannot smile and say hello? I felt no hospitality or customer service. In addition the chica selection was nothing to brag about.
The venue is open air with a dance floor bar and tables and chairs.
Kelvin Car Wash-Calle 27 Febrero
This car wash was absolutely dead when I went late in the evening. I was told it is busier during the day as opposed to the other car washes that are busier at night.
Closing thoughts on Santiago
- There is plenty of PFP to be had in Santiago but it is not uncommon for tourist to pay more than 3k for ST for decent looking women at the aforementioned venues.
- Unless a venue is strictly PFP like one of the car washes tenga cuidado, many of the women you see are not PFP and you will get slapped asking “cuanto es?” You also need to be careful for couples often women are with men and it is not readily noticeable so it pays to observe first before making a move.
- Taxi drivers in Santiago are generally a great resource for everything including chicas; just be aware he will be getting a cut on the front or the back end. For those who do not like to drive you can often rent taxis for 300pesos and hour or a day rate that can range between 2-3000pesos depending on the driver.
- IMHO Santiago is a much better city for civilian non-pros than straight PFP. There are so many beautiful women there it is ridiculous however hunting requires Spanish, time and money but well worth the reward.
Conclusion
I do not think I would want to live in Santiago because urban life can be a little too hectic for me but Santiago makes a great deviation from the laid back north coast. Santiago will be my go to place when I want to experience urban life to include fancy restaurants and hotels.
I highly recommend Santiago because it is a diverse community with much to do and see.
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