Anyone been to the Dominican Republic?

[kiml122]

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.

[SummerChild]

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

Originally Posted by kiml122

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.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

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.

[blueangel]

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!

[SummerChild]

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.

Originally Posted by blueangel

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!

[SummerChild]

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.

Originally Posted by blueangel

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!

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

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.

[SummerChild]

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

SC

[SummerChild]

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

Originally Posted by jon1856

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.