Santiago ....

Spent two days here. Ironically, I didn't get laid even though the opportunities were there and the chicas magnificent to look at. Night #1 ended on a sour note at Riverside (more on that in the Ugly Section of my Report), and Night #2 was spent flirting and meeting regular girls out strolling around on a Sunday evening. This produced phone numbers but no immediate payoff. I hope to follow-up next time I'm in Santiago.

Not that I'm complaining about missing out this time. If there's one city in the DR where I would want to have an extended stay, Santiago wins hands down. Everywhere you look, there are slender, light-skinned beauties with great hair. Taking the time to get to know the regular Santiago girls would pay off in a big way. These women put the chicas of Boca Chica to shame. There is just no comparison. None. Nada. And there's always Riverside if you're looking for a quick fix. At least 8 women were of interest to me at Riverside on the Saturday night I was there. Riverside is right up there with Casa Rosada for quality.

Santiago is also cooler than Santo Domingo or the North Coast, located as it is in the Cibao Valley. It also seems cleaner, safer than SD, and still relatively lively. It's a gem of a city that needs a closer look from TSMers.

First stop Santiago. Lovely town, nice folks. Left some ropas at the Juragua, so went shopping and had lots of fun. Stayed at a main downtown hotel, can't remember the name, 'bout $40/nite and with some pushing got a great room. Terrific casino at a sister hotel, where had a good blackjack run, decided to blow it at the famous Riverside.

Riverside famous for good reason. Amazing number of girls (musta been about 40 that I saw). Took a cutie back, liked her a lot, and she wanted to come to the beach with me. Should have, but didn't. She's the one (only one) who stays in my thoughts.

Santiago (D.R.) Trip Report

Posted by Voyager on February 03, 1997 at 16:09:26:

I spent last Thursday night in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

First a word on the city. I didn't visit any tourist sites, and quite frankly don't think there is much to do in that regard anyways. But while being driven around by a taxi in search of a hotel, I got to see a good part of the city, and was most impressed with what I saw.
Santiago is very clean and orderly by Dominican standards. It seems more like a European city than a Third World city. As for the hotel, I styed at Don Diego - 450 pesos a night for a big clean room with all amenities. They also have an excellent seafood restuarant downstairs.

On to the important stuff: My nighttime entertainment began at Zoilas - a hotel bar. My stay was brief, however, as the action was very limited between 10 and 10.30 when I was there. The taxi driver suggested I go to Riverside, as this is the #1 pick-up place in Santiago. Upon my arrival there, I could see why. Scoires of beautiful women, in all varieties, roaming around a large comfortable bar in search of a companion for the evening. And the place was 3/4 full of clients - both Dominicans and foreigners (mainly Spanish I think).

The show is somewhat like that found at Le petit Chateau or Lapsus. The ladies take turns lip-synching topless on stage at various points throughout the evening.

Selection was ample. A lot of latinas, a few blacks, two blondes, and even four chinese-looking girls (I've never seen this before in the DR -- can anyone explain why Santiago has girls that appear to be oriental?).

Now for the bad news: Price was 1750 pesos for the night! This dropped to 1250 pesos after 1 a.m. A short time on the premises costs 850 pesos. Moreover, some of the girls have uppity attitudes; maybe because they know that they're the cream of the crop in Santiago. Judging from what I saw, I would have to concur. If there's any place in Santiago with a better quality of chicas, I'd be very surprised. In fact, I'd have to rank Riverside above any club in Santo Domingo for the sheer beauty and variety of the women. And if you're really into Dominican girls that are not black, this is a godsend.

The taxista also told me that some freelancers hang out at discos called Champions and Las Vegas. But if quality is more important than price, Riverside is the place in Santiago.

It's worth the 2 hour-trip from Santo Domingo on one of the intercity-buses. Only 65 pesos one way. I know I'll be back.