BOCA CHICA

"the unknown Caribbean beach resort where women chase men"
This title is what started my curiosity about the information age--when this text was uploaded to aol and CompuServe, I got more mail than I could handle and the article became an instant classic (more downloads than any article ever in the aol travel library before they censored it). Now we update this article with the latest info and pictures PLUS a special guest writer...Tom Udell. Tom writes travel articles for Swank and has consented to let me publish his views of this lusty area -- possibly you'll see this article in Swank soon. Sit back, relax, and get ready for one of the best Caribbean beach resorts for single men.

One of the great mysteries of my travels is why more Americans don't travel to the Dominican Republic. The Europeans have discovered this tropical Caribbean island with its fantastic accommodations, cheap food, lush mountain scenery, exciting music, Las Vegas type entertainment, and pristine beaches. Santo Domingo International Airport is only an hour and a half from Miami and three and a half from New York-- a short hop for the excitement potential of the Far East! Good roads and simple directions make this an easy country to explore for the solo male. And, oh, did I mention the women?--well, let me tell you about Boca Chica! Sometimes, by accident, you stumble into something so special, lusty, exotic, and totally unknown by the average traveller that it's simply hard to believe the place existed without you knowing about it. Such a place is Boca Chica! I had heard about Boca Chica's beautiful beaches, but when none of my female friends in Santo Domingo would accompany me there, I became suspicious. This tipped me off, since the typical Dominican woman is always ready to go anyplace at anytime for fun, partying, and beach exploring. So of course I decided to go alone, and now I know the reason. For every male there are 10 girls waiting to please you!

ARRIVAL

Getting to the Dominican Republic and Boca Chica is quite easy. American Airlines has the best connections from the U.S.to Dominican Republic. The international airport, Las Americas, is close to both Boca Chica and Santo Domingo -- about a 25 minute ride to the beach resort and 30 minutes to the capital. If you're planning to rent a car, do it at the airport where every local and world-wide agency is represented! In Boca Chica only McDeals rent a car is available and it is double the price of the airport!

Hotels

The best hotel for the single male in Boca Chica is currently the Don Juan Resort, and once you're there, you'll understand the name. Located on the west end of the beach, here you'll find 124 hotel units and mini-suites for under $100.00 and a resort that guarantees non-stop entertainment, from in- house disco orgies to afternoon model fashion shows. This hotel is right on the beach with pools, bikes, snorkeling, and wind-surf rentals. You can direct dial from the U.S. by simply calling 1- 809-523-4511. There was a unique problem with this hotel and I should warn you about it. At night, you may be tempted to walk into Boca Chica for dinner but, since the shortest route from this hotel is to walk along the beach, you'll find out as I did that trouble lies in wait. The problem is that this trouble comes from young girls who wait on the beach hoping you'll take this scenic short cut at night. When they see their prey, they expose themselves to you. Their goal is to entice you before you hit the discos and bars where you might find another female companion! You see, a single male is a hot commodity on this island. The evening I tried to walk the beach route to town, a young girl approached, pulled down her halter top, and revealed some of God's finest work in duplicate. Then realizing my interest was piqued she tried to show me more. Saying I only wanted dinner, she offered herself as the appetizer as long as she could join me. I said "no" that night, but it was certainly tempting. While recouping from my unexpected fleshly encounter, I wondered what awaited me in town. I still hadn't had dinner. Truth be told, no matter where you go in Boca Chica, beach or town, some girl will be there to make you an irresistible offer, be it a massage - dinner companion - guide - dance instruct or sex instructions :-).

Sometimes

it's impossible to get rid of them in a polite manner! Only the young or the not-so attractive become so overly aggressive as the girl I met on the beach, but I'm sure you'll concur you've never gotten so much attention -- and when you finally meet a girl who just wants to dance or make new friends, you'll be relieved. Yes, men, this is paradise.

Nightlife

As for other night life, there are plenty of discos. I recommend El Partaiso, on the East side of town, which is the first to open. Here you'll see quite a bevy of Dominican girls all dressed to the hilt, hoping you'll dance with them as they wiggle on the dance floor...striving for your attention. A common tactic is to bend over, expose a little panty and give you a wink. If you smile back, she'll casually pass your table and ask if she can be seated. Many of these girls are willing to please, and their reward can be anything from a nice place to sleep & dine, a trip to the North Coast, or some clothes and jewelry. Remember, once you buy a girl a drink, you are hers and she won't allow any other female intrusion. Once, I tried to take a picture of the attractive female bartender, and my girl jumped over the counter and started to rip at her clothes! I just watched with horror and amusement! If any one interests you though, your biggest problem will be where to take her. Since the hotels don't allow a disco or beach girl into the rooms, you have to be creative. I don't recommend the beach at night as some girls will suggest -- they're trying to save you some money (maybe an extra tip for them). The best alternative is the beach bungalows that surround the discos and are perfect for that first encounter -- they can be rented by the hour, day, or week and usually are under $20.00 per day. Even if you just want to dance and have no intentions of carnivorous activities, the girls are overly attentive and curious about you! Here are mostly European men and you'll be one of the few Americans! In case you want to lessen the attention, just tell them your wife is waiting for you at the hotel and you just stopped in for a quick drink. Once when I used this technique the girl said, " no problem, she can watch." Yes, this is an marvelous place!

Late night action

Around 12.30 PM,a the dance action moves over to the "Main Girl Disco". Here you'll find hundreds of tourists from the surrounding hotels, along with local and vacationing Dominicans. Even if you've had a mid-evening quickie, your date will ask you to take her here for dancing & to meet her friends! You can dance the night away or you might even spot a new love! Watching these gyrating girls dance in their mini-skirts and purposely bending over in their lace panties just to arouse you is enough to make you feel youthful again. Even the bar hostesses and female musicians are available for your pleasure. Just make sure your past date doesn't spot you on the prowl and making a new arrangement! Possibilities never end in BOCA CHICA.

Besides women?

In case you're wondering, there are many other things to do at this beach resort besides the search and conquest of the young and the beautiful! One of the best beaches in the Caribbean is here, with two islands in the bay, to swim, sail board, or boat. The water is as clear as the Bahamas and the climate is perfect. Nearby is also La Romana, an international city with a great sports resort, Casa de Campo. A little farther east is Bayahibe Beach, one of the five most beautiful beaches in the world, mainly known only to Dominican locals. This is a great place to take your new female companion, as directions are tricky and a guide is preferred! Of course, Santo Domingo, the islands capital, is only 30 minutes to the west. Many tourists use Boca Chica as their base, due to its gorgeous beach and laid back atmosphere, to explore this colonial city. Santo Domingo, one of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, has beautiful colonial ruins, great shopping, Las Vegas type entertainment and casinos, and the Malecon (boardwalk) on the weekends is an all night party. My choice of hotels here is the Jaragua Hotel, which has a perfect location on the boardwalk, the best casino and shows, a New York Deli, tennis club, Olympic pool. Now a Ramada's Renaissance affiliate, you can reach them by calling 1-800-331-3542. Oh, behind this hotel is the Lappis bar, where all your dreams can come true for a price. Unlike the Boca amateurs, these girls are on a take out basis after you pay a hefty bar charge.

Inside tips

Here are a few special tips to make your trip more fun with less hassles!

In my opinion, the Dominican Republic is the best and most under-rated island in the Caribbean. It has everything a single male traveller could want or even dream of!

NEW UPDATE!

Just returned from a three week visit to the Dominican Republic. I spent a few days in Boca Chica...just to see if anything had changed.

The good news

is Boca Chica is better than ever! The new deluxe Hamaca hotel is in full operation and has brought a touch of respectability to Boca Chica. The hotel ( part of the AMHSA chain - U.S. 1-800-945-0792) is as gorgeous as any deluxe property in Hawaii. If you enjoy first class, then this hotel is for you. It is now one of the three best hotels in the Dominican Republic ( others being the "Ramada Juragua" in Santo Domingo and the "Sand Castle" in Sosua) with its own private beach, four restaurants (you can book an all-inclusive package) two pools, four clay tennis courts (with two pros) and the most perfect location in Boca Chica -- on a slight bluff overlooking the best part of Boca Chica beach. It is only a few feet to the bars, discos, and whatever that makes this beach resort so popular with men. The bad news is no outside guests are allowed , even to use the pool. Soon this hotel will become part of the Interval time-share network, so look for special promotions. A good second choice is the Sunset Beach Club, an old R.C.I. time-share resort and now an all-inclusive hotel catering to the Europeans. For $60.00 a night you get an adequate A/C room plus all meals, daily activities, private sun terrace over the beach, and a nice pool. Call direct...809-523-4580. Oh, it is only a few blocks east of the Hamaca, if you want to play tennis or check out how the upper-crust pass their time. Something in-between is the Meson Isabela (809-523-4224), small apartments with a pretty pool, very clean, and priced under $50.00. Cheaper rooms are available if you don't mind sharing a huge living room with two other bedrooms (dormitory style). Located between the above mentioned two properties. Due to Hamaca five-star property opening, the city of Boca Chica has got their act together-- two years ago there was trash and sewage on the far west end beach, now has manicured Palm trees and daily raked sand. The water is still crystal clear and the night life is the same -- HOT!

The new disco

(a remodeled El Partaiso) is the "Mariel" located on the main drag (only a half mile long) and really gets nasty after 11.00 P.M. Actually this disco is a last resort for the single male traveler... by the time midnight has struck, you'll have already been checked into one of the inexpensive (remember, good hotels don't allow visitors) beach bungalows that dot the main drag with your new friend. At night main street closes down and the outside restaurants and bars put their tables and chairs in the middle of the street for the night voyeur. You sip a beer, watch the fashion show, wink at the one you like (guaranteed, she will wink back) and that is that.

Warning!

Don't wink or even smile at a girl you're not interested in...not only will it take the rest of the evening getting rid of her but when she sees you're not interested, she will ask for a few dollars for you wasting her time. Pay it (or she'll never leave) and let it be a lesson learned! Men are a prize in Boca Chica.

Your last problem

is if you want to negotiate for the immediate hour, the entire night, or maybe the week. If you buy her some clothes or take her on a trip then love is free but like everything else in this world, if you can't wait it will cost. If you still haven't found Miss Right, go to Miriel's, for now the dance floor is full of lonely ladies dancing with each other. They are hoping you'll make their day (night) and approach to dance, flirt or ask them out for the entire evening -- what a life in Boca Chica!

If there is a problem

with Boca Chica, it's its size -- by the third night you know every girl and they "all" know you by your first name. Your first love will bug you endlessly not to flirt with her girl friend. If you are a "butterfly" (in Asia, the name Thai ladies associate with men who's eyes & interest wander to a different girl every night) then it is time to move on. The charm of Boca Chica is not only the lay-back attitude of its amateur female population, but because they are so innocent (they do fall in love) they don't want to share the spoils...YOU!