Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

[StillLovely]

I must confess to be an everyday lurker on this board, but rarely submit anything. I've only submitted one escort review (Jayq - Santo Domingo), and that was so long ago that I had to create a new user ID today because I couldn't remember my original login and password.

 

Anywho, to the topic at hand. I agree that this particular forum has been dominated by the Brazil fans, but of course that's only because no one else submits anything. Some time ago I posted some info on Santo Domingo (a LONG time ago), so consider this an update.

 

Let me start by saying that obviously Santo Domingo is NOT Rio. I have never been to Rio, but from reading all the posts here, I see blatant differences in the two. There is no bath house scene in Santo Domingo. There may be a few saunas that things happen in, but it's not an established scene as it appears to be in Rio. The escort scene in Santo Domingo basically revolves around the bars and nightclubs and to a certain extent, street cruising in the City and beach cruising in Boca Chica.

 

Let me also say that the things I'm going to say here are based purely on MY experiences. Others may have different view points. So consider this a very opinionated review.

 

O.K. Down to the nitty gritty. There are a few gay friendly hotels in Santo Domingo. Meaning that they will allow you to bring a local in as a guest - provided they leave I.D. with the desk. Three that I would recommend, in order of preference, are as follows:

 

Mercure Comerical (http://www.mercure.com/mercure/index.html) (hotel code 2974)

 

Caribe Colonial (http://www.hodelpa.com/properties/caribe_colonial/index.htm)

 

Duque de Wellington (http://www.hotelduque.com/index.htm)

 

The Mercure is my favorite. It sits on El Conde in the Colonial Zone, which is a pedstrian shopping street, and has an outdoor cafe where you can do plently of cruising. The Caribe Colonial is on a quieter side street from El Conde. Although I have never stayed there, it comes highly recommended by friends. The Duque de Wellington is nice enough also, but be warned that the boiz congregate outside the property competing for your attention.

 

On the nightlife. Remember this is just my recommendation. I would start out at a friendly neighborhood type bar that is walking distance from El Conde.

 

Bar Phoenix, Calle Polvorin No. 10, Zona Colonial (809) 689-7572

 

The owner is a nice British gentleman named Lawrence. The bartender is Jayq. I wrote an escort review on him. (http://207.14.53.20/reviews/jayqsantodomingo.html). The cell number listed on the review no longer works. See him at the bar, and tell him "Eddie" sent you. This bar opens at 7:00pm and closes at 1:00am. It gets hopping around 9:00-10:00pm. This is a place to go before going to the other late night bars and nightclubs. This bar is by no means anything fancy. It is a good place to have a good drink and maybe meet a good man. The scene here is stricly hustler-tourist. All the Dominican men in here are what they call in Santo Domingo - bugarrones (hustlers). It is always a good idea to check with the owner or the bartender before taking anyone to your hotel. The going rate is around 500-600 pesos (about $30). Should you want to go to other nightspots, the bartender or owner can direct you where to go. There are a few bars and discos open very late. Some have strip shows. Just ask at Bar Phoenix, and they can direct you and even hook you up with a taxi. I would not walk alone late at night in Santo Domingo. The best thing to do is take a taxi All the bars and clubs have them outside their doors.

 

It is very important to keep your wits about you in Santo Domingo. It is a third world country with all the third world problems of poverty and despair. Should you take anyone back to your hotel, they must have I.D., and they must leave it at the desk. Lock all your valuables away in a safe, including passport and tickets. It is easy to get caught up in the festivities and become careless. It also helps to know some basic Spanish. Most of the boiz you meet will not speak much English.

 

For you beach lovers, realize that Santo Domingo doesn't have a beach. You have to go about 30 minutes outside the City to Boca Chica. Boca Chica is a Caribbean postcard come to life. It is a very easy day trip from Santo Domingo. You can either take the public bus (very festive) or hire a taxi (very cheap). Some prefer to stay in Boca Chica and come into Santo Domingo for the nightlife. All depends if you're a beach person or not.

 

From what I've read here of Rio, I think Santo Domingo has just as many opportunities for enjoying Blatino men. It's a different scene, but nonetheless the boiz are there!

 

I hope I've been helpful.

[trilingual]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's about time we had a report on the D.R. (or just about anywhere else except Brazil)! I knew there was a scene there, but all the information has been pretty out-of-date. I hope this stimulates other travelers to the D.R. to post their experiences, too, so we can keep the information current.

 

Any other travelers to or residents of the "South of the U.S.A." region are encouraged to add their insight and wisdom here. We know there's more to the region than Brazil! (It's just that there's such a lot of coffee in Brazil!) ;-)

[StillLovely]

That's Cafe-CON-Leche, Tri. And no need for thanks. I read this board far too much to not offer something constructive once in a while.

[+ glutes]

StillLovely, gracias! I haven't been to D.R. since my days doing Club Med's down in the Carib. Your post gives me cause to venture back!

I also think more should be written about other cities/countries with escort scenes. Rio is NOT the only place -wish more people would write posts to give us a insights on OTHER areas.

[StillLovely]

I've been emailed privately and asked some questions, so I'd thought I'd answer them in this public forum for all to benefit.

 

The weather. The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean and has tropical weather. In the summer months it is a few degrees warmer and a little more humid than the winter. At night in the winter months you may from time to time fill a slight little chill, but it will be a refreshing change from the heat during the day. A long sleeve shirt is certainly enough to suffice. Year round you would pack your suitcase as if it were July in New York City.

 

The money. Currently the dollar is very strong against the Dominican peso. Just yesterday it went above 19 to 1. My experience has been to always change your dollars over to pesos and use pesos when there. Dollars are widely accepted, but you will get change in pesos, and they will use whatever exchange rate is convenient. So to get the most for your money, change your dollars to pesos. Most currency exchange places in airports don't give you a good rate. Not so in Santo Domingo. The cambio located in the airport before you pass through immigration always has a very good rate. So I always change my dollars over in the airport. If you keep your receipt, when you depart, you can change your pesos back over to dollars in the airport if you don't use them. ATMs are everywhere and are convenient, but you will not get as good a rate as you will get at the cambios. And your bank will likely charge you a fee for giving you money in another country.

 

Getting there. I think the only direct flights are either out of New York or Miami. US Air also flys direct out of Philly. American Airlines is the dominiant airline. But Continental flys direct out of Newark and North American out of New York. If you pay between $400-500, you're doing good. Under $400 is great. Lately American has been offering non-stops out of New York for under $400. I'm sure this won't last long - if it's even still going on. During the holidays and mid-winter months, the airlines tend to raise prices a bit and have charged as high as $899! Insane. But airfare prices seem to be out of our control, so no need to continue with this subject. On to . . .

 

THE BOIZ. Tops or bottoms, I've been asked. Well, this is a latin country and the latin machisimo thing is alive and well here. I'm a bottom, so I don't seek out boiz who get done, but I have friends who do, and they tell me this. The boiz will never admit in public that they will get done But in private, things can be different. Sometimes it takes a little coaxing, sometimes a few more pesos, whatever. And I've been told sometimes the legs go in the air anyway. Sounds like this is something the Dominican Republic and Brazil have in common. Never kiss and tell.

 

Let me make a few more comments about the boiz. They are hot blooded latin men. The dicks get hard at the drop of a peso. And they are pretty much insatiable. And the ethnic mixture of African, Taino Indian and Spanish European have truly created a beautiful people. Something else I guess they have in common with Brazil, huh?

[Guest gbere3]

I visited SDQ about a year ago. Prior to traveling, I made arrangements with a tour guide through a gay D.R. website. This was not a profesional and was an experience in itself. The guy showed me around and I felt much safer. He also arranged boys for me although it was more about making money for him than finding the right guy for me.

 

I did have a couple of boys approach me on the streets particularly the shopping arcade in the city center. I didn't try anything with them for safety reasons.

 

I went to Boca Beach but it was a Thursday and there were not many poeple around. I'd like to go back but I would like to find someone who would be interested in showing me around in a less dollar oriented sort of way.

 

I've been to Brazil many times and enjoy the saunas for an easy safe experience but I find the Dominicans very appealing. I just wish it were a bit safer and easier. Trust me, there are many Dominicnas ready and willing.

[Guest luv2rideURbig1]

I went to SD 4 years ago (twice!... oops... twice in 2 months time span! LOL) and had a great time. Previous to that I had gone yearly to San Juan, Puerto Rico and it just happened that this particular year my normal place I like to stay in SJ was full so I convinced two friends I normally would meet in SJ to do SD.

 

I don't recall quite how I figured much out back then, as I had just begun surfing on the internet and, of course, it was much harder to find information of this nature, but I did manage to find a little bit -- oh, and somehow I met a guy on-line who lived in SD (but was married with children but admittedly in-the-closet) and he told me of some places to go to and other do's/don'ts.

 

I could write a book on my two trips but I won't -- only to offer my experience was very different than listed above. Once trip I stayed at the National and they were NOT conducive to having "bugarones" come up to your room, though I somehow managed to sneak some in. My later trip I coughed up the extra dough and booked a suite at the Hotel Santo Domingo which is one of the higher priced hotels. I was with one man this entire trip so I had him listed with me for the room, and he told everyone that seemed to question our arrangment that I was his brother-in-law.

 

My experience was that this club called The Penthouse was very useful in meeting escorts -- we all made use of it's patrons and it was very easy to pick out who you wanted, and they would all show you what you wanted to see in the bathroom if you needed that. The Penthouse used to be located in a really dicey area of SD but I've heard since that time it has re-located and changed names to this:

http://www.atlantis-disco.com/

 

I'd love to know if it's any thing like it used to be -- evidently The Penthouse had been around quite some time and was rather "known" for it's "behavior", at least by a lot of the taxi drivers! ha ha... as well, if you could see the xxx-rated pictures I took of my local man (met 1st trip -- then went back to see just him the 2nd) you'd book flights tomorrow -- he had a really amazingly beautiful thick veiny uncut piece of meat that got hard as a rock instantly, and several times daily. Tall, masculine and handsome, medium-complexion as Dominicans go.

 

We stayed in touch for a while by phone but I wasn't about to begin what could have been very habit-forming and ultimately addictive. I never have returned. The following year I went back to San Juan (there are MANY stories from there too -- later... surprised I haven't seen any postings on here -- then again perhaps it is not like it once was which is what I have heard. The best year was the first I went in '95) and that was it for me and paying for sex.

 

The memories are good -- and indeed, there is an art to it all... like diplomatic negotiating I suppose.

[Mike_M]

I've been to STD a few times in the last several years, most recently last May, and have always had a great time. My most recent trip was especially nice in that I met a guy through an add on the Gay Santo Domingo site that was renting his room out to gay tourists. He is located right on el Conde just one block from the Murcure (sp?). He charges about $30 for the night for a private room in a nice spacious, comfortable apartment. He speaks no English, so you should be able to speak Spanish, which is highly recommended there. Also, he is reluctant to let you bring guys to his place and recommends the short-term hotels (about $10) for safety and security, although I suspect he would be flexible if he met the guy and got good vibes. He was a great guide and introduced me to a scene that is missed by most tourists.

 

To begin with he is not into bars but more into more "ambiguous" scenes. He took me to a river about 2 hours from the city where all these country boys go skinny dipping and are available for a romp in the bushes for 50-100 pesos (3-6 dollars!) and are totally fresh and not at all working hustlers. He also took me to a lighthouse near the city with a similar scene. He took a friend of mine who went to see him this summer to a movie theater way out closer to the Haitian border that one night a week shows porno movies. The boys all go wild dropping their pants, shedding clothes and are willing to get into whatever scene, and there are hardly any gays around to help them.

 

I remember the old Penthouse very fondly, but I unfortunately found the new Atlantis to be nothing like it. The Penthouse was so Dominican - mostly Merengue - the happiest music in the world - and unpretentious. The Atlantis has the same owner but in a much fancier area of town and has taken on a more international disco feel. Not as many bugarones or funky wet tee shirt contests or show and tell washroom moments.

 

I'm off to Rio in two weeks for my first return visit in 26 years, so STD is on the back burner. The experience with Osiris (my host and guide) was so special I was hoping to find a situation like that in Rio. If anyone knows of someone that rents rooms in their home like that in Rio, I would appreciate that info. By the same token, if anyone wants to contact Osiris about his room or guide services, contact me and I will give you his number.

 

Also, I have been preparing for my Rio trip using Pimsleur portuguese tapes. I have seen them mentioned here, but I highly recommend them, rather expensive but extremely effective.

[Guest luv2rideURbig1]

Just ran across this on a yahoo group:

 

Join gay men from all over the country as we descend upon Santo

Domingo for Thanksgiving weekend. Go to our web page at

http://www.monaga.com for all the info on the price, dates, hotel,

activities and photos of some of the beautiful men of the Dominican

Republic.

 

http://www.monaga.com/dr/index2.html

 

but if you like THESE>>>

 

http://www.monaga.com/dr/Bartender.JPG

http://www.monaga.com/dr/Jonathan.JPG

http://www.monaga.com/dr/Alex2.JPG

 

then check this out too!

 

http://www.monaga.com/dr/FacesPlaces.htm

[+ Axiom2001]

Just ran across this on a yahoo group:

 

Join gay men from all over the country as we descend upon Santo

Domingo for Thanksgiving weekend. Go to our web page at

http://www.monaga.com for all the info on the price, dates, hotel,

activities and photos of some of the beautiful men of the Dominican

Republic.

 

http://www.monaga.com/dr/index2.html

 

but if you like THESE>>>

 

http://www.monaga.com/dr/Bartender.JPG

http://www.monaga.com/dr/Jonathan.JPG

http://www.monaga.com/dr/Alex2.JPG

 

then check this out too!

 

http://www.monaga.com/dr/FacesPlaces.htm

 

It's March 19, 2013; this website is now http://www.monaga.net.

[joselowe]

I've been to STD a few times in the last several years, most recently last May, and have always had a great time. My most recent trip was especially nice in that I met a guy through an add on the Gay Santo Domingo site that was renting his room out to gay tourists. He is located right on el Conde just one block from the Murcure (sp?). He charges about $30 for the night for a private room in a nice spacious, comfortable apartment. He speaks no English, so you should be able to speak Spanish, which is highly recommended there. Also, he is reluctant to let you bring guys to his place and recommends the short-term hotels (about $10) for safety and security, although I suspect he would be flexible if he met the guy and got good vibes. He was a great guide and introduced me to a scene that is missed by most tourists.

 

To begin with he is not into bars but more into more "ambiguous" scenes. He took me to a river about 2 hours from the city where all these country boys go skinny dipping and are available for a romp in the bushes for 50-100 pesos (3-6 dollars!) and are totally fresh and not at all working hustlers. He also took me to a lighthouse near the city with a similar scene. He took a friend of mine who went to see him this summer to a movie theater way out closer to the Haitian border that one night a week shows porno movies. The boys all go wild dropping their pants, shedding clothes and are willing to get into whatever scene, and there are hardly any gays around to help them.

 

I remember the old Penthouse very fondly, but I unfortunately found the new Atlantis to be nothing like it. The Penthouse was so Dominican - mostly Merengue - the happiest music in the world - and unpretentious. The Atlantis has the same owner but in a much fancier area of town and has taken on a more international disco feel. Not as many bugarones or funky wet tee shirt contests or show and tell washroom moments.

 

I'm off to Rio in two weeks for my first return visit in 26 years, so STD is on the back burner. The experience with Osiris (my host and guide) was so special I was hoping to find a situation like that in Rio. If anyone knows of someone that rents rooms in their home like that in Rio, I would appreciate that info. By the same token, if anyone wants to contact Osiris about his room or guide services, contact me and I will give you his number.

 

Also, I have been preparing for my Rio trip using Pimsleur portuguese tapes. I have seen them mentioned here, but I highly recommend them, rather expensive but extremely effective.

What's the name of this beach and light house?