Gran Bahia Principe Samana

Re: travelling alone

by marielexoteria

What NOT to do:

- Don't put on a lot of flashy (or even discreet) jewelry.
- Don't flash your money.
- Don't give in to pushy vendors.
- Don't walk alone on dark streets at night.
- Don't exchange your US dollars in the black market.
- IF visiting our beautiful churches on Zona Colonial, don't wear mini skirts or bare shoulders (I think they still have that rule). The same goes for some governmental buildings and the Pantheon (but check it out first, I might be wrong).
- Don't drink tap water.
- If you visit a bar or discotheque, don't leave your drink unattended.

What to do:

- Take your time checking out whatever you wanna shop.
- Hold on to your purse for dear life. If you're walking on a sidewalk, put on your purse on the shoulder that does NOT face the street.
- Haggle, haggle and then haggle some more.
- Bring your US dollars and exchange them as you need in the local banks. They always have a screen or sign showing the exchange rate of the day. At the same time, bring some Dominican currency to pay for the cab to your hotel and small expenses you might encounter the arrival date (like a bottle of water, dinner, etc.) or until you can go to a bank and exchange your US dollars.
- If you take a cab from a hotel or touristic point, agree on a price before you get in. Our taxis don't run by the meter and they have fixed prices depending on distance. Better yet, call a cab from a reputable firm (see my Santo Domingo page for tips).

I can't come up with anything else now and I'm sorry if any of the tips are common sense to you (which they are). Hope it helps.