Colombia, Costa rica or Dominican Republic

[lg10009]

Planning to take one month vacation and go to Dominican Republic or Costa Rica or Colombia. I want to meet local men, go to restaurants and bars. Anyone interested in joining?
I am open anytime before July 2024

[JQ915]

Going to Colombia in April for a few days. Not sure if I can go for a month anywhere

[+ José Soplanucas]

17 minutes ago, JQ915 said:

Going to Colombia in April for a few days. Not sure if I can go for a month anywhere

Colombia where? If Brazil does not get in my way (again), I plan for two weeks in Medellín in November. I wish I could stay an entire month!

[Danny-Darko]

I've been wanting to go to the Dominican Republic for a long time now. Years ago, there used to be lots of information here in the forum about the country, hotels and guesthouses for gay men and reliable trustworthy tour guides. And information about bars, clubs and escorts not only in the capital Santo Domingo but in other parts of the country. Anybody have any recent relevant information about the DR?  Thanks! 

[Marc in Calif]

3 hours ago, Danny-Darko said:

Anybody have any recent relevant information about the DR?  Thanks! 

In 2023, the Dominican Republic is the 8th poorest country in the western hemisphere. I think that's both recent and relevant.

[pubic_assistance]

I had a person trainer a few years back who grew up in the Dominican Republic. When he first told me that I responded that I'd never been there. His response was that "there is NO reason to go. It's a total shit hole. "

99% of travelers are shuttled direct from the Airport to one of the beach resorts that are closed off with arm guards and big fences.

It doesn't sound like a country one just wanders around exploring .

[Danny-Darko]

28 minutes ago, pubic_assistance said:

I had a person trainer a few years back who grew up in the Dominican Republic. When he first told me that I responded that I'd never been there. His response was that "there is NO reason to go. It's a total shit hole. "

99% of travelers are shuttled direct from the Airport to one of the beach resorts that are closed off with arm guards and big fences.

It doesn't sound like a country one just wanders around exploring .

Sounds exactly like what I've heard about Jamaica, The Bahamas and Haiti, yet millions go every year. 

[Marc in Calif]

27 minutes ago, Danny-Darko said:

Sounds exactly like what I've heard about Jamaica, The Bahamas and Haiti, yet millions go every year. 

Comparing those three nations in the same sentence might appear to be clueless. 😦

Travel.State.Gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest.  U.S. citizens should depart Haiti now in light of the current security and health situation and infrastructure challenges.  U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe.

Country Summary: Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victims’ families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members. Violent crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking, is common. Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. Robbers and carjackers also attack private vehicles stuck in heavy traffic congestion and often target lone drivers, particularly women. As a result, the U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport. Protests, demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent. The U.S. government is extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti – assistance on site is available only from local authorities (Haitian National Police and ambulance services). Local police generally lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. U.S. government personnel are discouraged from walking in Port-au-Prince and other neighborhoods.

Edited March 25, 2023 by Marc in Calif

[Danny-Darko]

1 hour ago, Marc in Calif said:

Comparing those three nations in the same sentence might appear to be clueless. 😦

Travel.State.Gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest.  U.S. citizens should depart Haiti now in light of the current security and health situation and infrastructure challenges.  U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe.

Country Summary: Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victims’ families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members. Violent crime, such as armed robbery and carjacking, is common. Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. Robbers and carjackers also attack private vehicles stuck in heavy traffic congestion and often target lone drivers, particularly women. As a result, the U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport. Protests, demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and can turn violent. The U.S. government is extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti – assistance on site is available only from local authorities (Haitian National Police and ambulance services). Local police generally lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. U.S. government personnel are discouraged from walking in Port-au-Prince and other neighborhoods.

Yet three popular destinations for tourist from my state and cruise ship stops. Go figure. 

[Danny-Darko]

There used to be a very active member who promoted the DR a lot on here. I don't remember his handle, but I remember getting this site from one of his many posts. Maybe this could help those interested in visiting the so called "shithole"? 

Gay Dom Rep

https://www.gaydomrep.com/Gay_Dominican_Republic.php

[CuriousByNature]

9 hours ago, Danny-Darko said:

There used to be a very active member who promoted the DR a lot on here. I don't remember his handle, but I remember getting this site from one of his many posts. Maybe this could help those interested in visiting the so called "shithole"? 

Gay Dom Rep

https://www.gaydomrep.com/Gay_Dominican_Republic.php

I found that the DR and Jamaica seemed both sketchy and dangerous outside of the resorts and cruise ship areas.  They are both beautiful countries with awesome people, but I sometimes felt like I was being observed and measured-up, like a sick zebra waiting to be attacked by a lion.  I didn't feel that way in the Bahamas, but I didn't go into any of the larger towns/cities.  A person needs to travel smart in any country, but especially in places where poverty is a serious issue - North American tourists tend to stand out like a sore thumb so it is best to blend in as much as possible - no flashy clothes, jewelry or sunglasses.  No wads of cash, expensive cameras, or brand-name bags.  Displaying your comparative wealth is a slap in the face to locals who are doing all they can to survive, and it is understandable that a minority might wish to take advantage of the situation.

[pubic_assistance]

I knew a guy in college who had a very "progressive" attitude toward poor countries and loved backpacking and hanging with the locals in various destinations. His last trip was Haiti from which he never returned. His body was found several months after his disappearance. His family were devastated. He was only 25. But that was many years ago. I am going to assume it's even worse now. 

[Danny-Darko]

4 hours ago, CuriousByNature said:

I found that the DR and Jamaica seemed both sketchy and dangerous outside of the resorts and cruise ship areas.  They are both beautiful countries with awesome people, but I sometimes felt like I was being observed and measured-up, like a sick zebra waiting to be attacked by a lion.  I didn't feel that way in the Bahamas, but I didn't go into any of the larger towns/cities.  A person needs to travel smart in any country, but especially in places where poverty is a serious issue - North American tourists tend to stand out like a sore thumb so it is best to blend in as much as possible - no flashy clothes, jewelry or sunglasses.  No wads of cash, expensive cameras, or brand-name bags.  Displaying your comparative wealth is a slap in the face to locals who are doing all they can to survive, and it is understandable that a minority might wish to take advantage of the situation.

I agree with you. I felt that way in Sao Paulo, Brazil and in Manila, Philippines. People in general were kind and welcoming but the horrible crime and the constant danger just made it too uncomfortable to have a good time on my own without the savvy vigilance of locals. 

[pubic_assistance]

15 minutes ago, Danny-Darko said:

I felt that way in Sao Paulo, Brazil

I live in NYC where security bars over windows are common.

I have to say I've never seen such MASSIVE thick metal bars in my life on every building in Sao Paulo. Like at any minute a tank could drive into an office building. Made me very uncomfortable, and I'm a seasoned traveler....so I am pretty good at judging my environment for trouble. That looked like trouble.