Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hotel Maguana
( 809-557-2244;
hotelmaguana@hotmail.com
; Av Independencia 72; s/d/tr/ste incl breakfast on week-
ends RD$1450/1600/2450/2800; )
Built at dictator Trujillo's request in 1947, the Ma-
guana's imposing facade and interior courtyard suggest a grandeur that has now faded, but
that doesn't mean it's not interesting. All the rooms have hot water and TV, although some
lack windows and singles are cramped.
There's a great (but noisy) alfresco bar in the parking lot and a quieter interior bar. If
you can afford it, ask for the Trujillo suite, where his highness used to lay his head. Break-
fast is weekends only.
HOTEL
$$
Rincón Mexicano
(cnr Calle 27 de Febrero & Capotillo; mains RD$75-575; 6pm-midnight)
Owned by a real live
Mexicana
(who does the cooking) and her Dominican husband, this airy, immeasurably
pleasant restaurant pumps out authentic Mexican tacos (RD$85) as well as enchiladas,
fajitas and the like. Chase it all back with the excellent margaritas and toast to your good
fortune that a place this good exists in San Juan.
MEXICAN
$
La Galeria del Espía
(Calle Independencia 5; mains RD$170-520; 11am-4pm & 6:30pm-1am; )
Don't let the tinted
facade just opposite Parque Central deter you, this is a friendly, mega-popular spot for
simple and quick Dominican food. The plate of the day goes for RD$195 and there's the
usual otherwise: Beef or chicken served with rice, beans and salad.
DOMINCAN
$
Hotel y Supermercado El Detallista
( 809-557-1200; cnr Calle Trinitaria & Puello)
For groceries, Hotel y Supermercado El Detal-
lista is one-stop shopping: the best grocery store, an ATM, and a Western Union branch.
GROCERIES
$
Information
Banco León
(
809-557-6094; cnr Calle Independencia & Mariano Rodríguez)
BanReservas
(
809-557-2230; cnr Calle Independencia & 27 de Febrero)
809-557-5345; Calle Trinitaria 55)
Your best bet for private medical
Centro Médico San Juan
(
attention.
8am-10pm Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm Sun)
Centro
Farmacia Iguamed
(cnr Calle Trinitaria & Dr Cabral;
Médico San Juan's affiliated pharmacy.
