Anyone been to the Dominican Republic?
 

All,
I will visit the Dominican Republic in a week or so. I will be staying in Punta Cana. Has anyone ever been there? Have any suggestions for things to do or not do?

SC

^^^ I'm sooooo glad you posted this. I will be going at the end of the summer!:)

Stay at the resort.
www.virtualtourist.com
http://www.tripadvisor.com/
http://www.independenttraveler.com/
www.igougo.com
www.mytravelguide.com
http://www.frommers.com/
http://www.fodors.com
http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ *********
http://www.travelsecrets.com/ ******
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm!!!!!!!
http://travel.state.gov/

What do you mean by "stay at the resort"?
I will be staying at the Paradisus Punta Cana, which is a resort but I am under the impression that there are a number of resorts there, in the city of Punta Cana.

I see your list. I have seen these lists as well through general internet research. If you've actually been there or heard anything about it from someone who has been there, do you recommend any particular activities, sights to see, tours, etc.?

SC

I hear it's a very popular destination now. I had no idea until my travel agent mentioned it. What city will you be visiting?
SC

Was down in the DR Nov 2001.
Great time at the 5 star all inclusive. Did not have any need or wish to go into town; which I would normally do.

And that list is only part of the sites I keep and use for my own travel research.

Been very popular for several years.
Cost factor vs other islands major factor.

My friends and I will be going to celebrate our 21st birthday's. We are going to Puerto Plata, and staying at the Sun Village Resort and Spa. I don't really know much about the DR, but I have been checking out sites like tripadvisor.com and epinions.com to see what people have to say about the hotels and restarants, etc. Also, I was told to look at the State Department's website, they put out a yearly report on different countries.

Did you stay at the Paradisus Punta Cana? It's also five stars. Are you saying that there is only one resort in the city of Punta Cana? I thought that the entire area was pretty much resorts. If you stayed at the Paradisus, did you enjoy it? Would you recommend any of the activities or restaurants. I have the 24/7 all-inclusive with the mini bar in the room that they refill at no cost and butler service. I am looking forward to it. Shoot, I never heard of butler service before. That's a blessing.

Anyway, let me know about your experience instead of making all of these cryptic posts that aren't answering my original question - which is, what activities do you recommend or not recommend based on your experience or even based on hearsay. :)

SC

I stayed at the Paradisus Puerto Plata with my ex boyfriend. My family loves the Dominican Republic and we try to go once a year. I've stayed at several resorts in Punta Cana, and have visited the territories of some of the other ones. The Paradisus is gorgeous. The food and accomodations at the one in Puerto Plata were great, so I'm assuming it wouldn't be any different for the one in Punta Cana. Definitely get a massage there. The massages are great and cost less than they would in the U.S. You're going to have a great time!

Sorry, was not my wish nor intent to be cryptic. The resort that I stayed at has changed names and I do not recall what it is now. In 2001, was only a few year old and was an adult only. Was on the South-East shore line.

And neither my girl-friend nor I had any wish to leave the property. Something we both would, and have, normally done.
Armed guards at gates et al.....however the people that we did meet were very nice.
And given that it was right after 9.11 and the plane crash, it was very interest to talk to people about both.

And between asking for advise here and reading on the other sites, IMHO you would be better off reading the other sites you have either found on your own or have been provided here. For they would have a far bigger pool of information than here.

Thanks Tunatartare! I will put a few dollars away for a massage.
Appreciate the information.
SC

We went to the DR in August 03 and we stayed in Punta Cana. Nice all inclusive resort, trust when I say we got our party, drink and eat on!! We did go into town one day, and it was an experience to say the least, but we had a blast none the less.

Thanks KimL,
So going into town wasn't worth it?
SC

Most of the resorts are not near any of the "major" cities.
As I said, the best intructions you can find would be on the web sites.
Or ask the front desk once you are there.

Very few people at the resort I stayed at stepped a foot off of the property.

I do quite a bit of traveling... and this is the only country that I have visited where I had an absolutely miserable time. I would never go back to the DR.

I went with two friends... and stayed at the "Five Star" Catalonia Bavaro Resort.

Although the resort itself was beautiful, we all had a lousy time. Why? We were all sick as dogs! We were so careful about the water... all we drank was bottled water. We brushed our teeth with bottled water. We declined ice in our drinks. We ate no raw food, and only peeled fruit. Yet we all got sicker than sick. In fact, a huge amount of people at the resort told us they were sick as well.

I think the problem is that this is a third world country, and the hygene practices are not like ours. The restaurants were all outdoors, and the food was out in the heat. I saw food handlers in the bathrooms who didn't wash their hands. And.. despite this being a gorgeous resort, there were chickens and roosters running around the grounds!

Speaking of illness, you might want to talk to your doctor about taking chloroqunine as a prophylaxis against malaria.

"Travelers to rural areas of the Dominican Republic are at risk for malaria, with the highest risk in provinces bordering Haiti. In addition, risk in all areas of La Altagracia Province, including Punta Cana and Bavaro Beach."
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/caribean.htm

The DR has also had outbreaks of polio from time to time, (due to its proximity to Haiti) so be sure to check on the cdc site for the latest health info.

Remember too, that this is a very poor country, so there is a crime problem. I was not happy with the fact that there were security guards on the hotel perimeter armed with machine guns!

Dominican Repubic? Never again. I'll take Bermuda!

Hello Blueangel,
Thanks for the reminder about the water. When I've been to the Caribbean twice before, I never asked for bottled water and was fine but I will try to remember this tip. I go pick up my prescription to address Malaria today. There aren't any current polio concerns on the state dept site.

I'm looking forward to interacting with the Dominicans in their native countryside so I hope to be able to get into town. It seems like most of the Caribbean is pretty third world and the poverty is very sad. I haven't had any problems with crime yet (maybe they thought I was one of them - LOL - not sure) but hope not to this time. Armed guards? Yuck. I hope that my resort doesn't have that.

Hello Blueangel,
Thanks for the reminder about the water. When I've been to the Caribbean twice before, I never asked for bottled water and was fine but I will try to remember this tip. I go pick up my prescription to address Malaria today. There aren't any current polio concerns on the state dept site.

I'm looking forward to interacting with the Dominicans in their native countryside so I hope to be able to get into town. It seems like most of the Caribbean is pretty third world and the poverty is very sad. I haven't had any problems with crime yet (maybe they thought I was a citizen - LOL - not sure) but hope not to this time. Armed guards? Yuck. I hope that my resort doesn't have that.

Most of the resorts I passed by on the way to mine had armed guards at the gate and on the edge of the property on the beach.
Have fun, relax and enjoy.

Thank you everyone for your helpful tips!
I will try to enjoy this much-needed vacation.

SC

Hello Jon,
Wow. Oh well, I'm sure that it will be a nice trip at any rate. I'll just have to pretend that I don't see them. :)
Thanks for your tips,
SC

I really hope you do enjoy yourself.
And if you at going to an all-inclusive watch our waist line!!!!:D
Do not eat more that you would at home even if it really looks good and/or different.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful advice! I had a great time and didn't want to come back. LOL. The people are wonderful and the country is beautiful. Tourism is really a big part of the economy of this somewhat still developing country so if you're looking for a great place to vacation, consider hanging out with the Dominicans (in the Dominican Republic, not NY :) ).

If anyone wants to know about my experiences in particular, pm me.

I stayed on the resort property but also took an excursion to Santo Domingo, the capital, and a jeep safari tour to the more remote areas.

SC

Welcome Home.
Glad you enjoyed yourself.