Dominican Republic

[Muzzer79]

Has anyone been recently?

I've heard a few stories of iffy food and hotels where it's not advisable to leave the grounds.

Any recommendations on the best areas to go?

I'm not particularly looking for culture or a vibing night scene - just somewhere nice for two weeks with the OH

Also, climate - we're looking at May. Will it piss down on me? I always seem to book holidays to places where it's rainy season recently!

[D44nny]

Hi I went their fir my honeymoon 3 years ago we stayed at the riu palace punta Cana was a lovely hotel the food was spot on and so were the staff . There was 5 hotels there and if you stayed here you can use any of them but they couldn't use ours as it was the best. All of the rooms were nice and spacious with a free mini bar with optics that were topped up dailey and jacuzzi bath. Some of the rooms also had a private jacuzzi on the roof.they do say that you shouldn't go hot on your own but there is lots of excursions to do we did a helicopter tour over where we stayed it was amazing if not a bit pricey.
Regards to the weather we went in September and had a few showers and thunderstorms but these didn't last too long and was still hot and sunny 1/2 hour later. Hope this helps.

[justanother5tar]

Muzzer79 said:

Has anyone been recently?

I've heard a few stories of iffy food and hotels where it's not advisable to leave the grounds.

Any recommendations on the best areas to go?

I'm not particularly looking for culture or a vibing night scene - just somewhere nice for two weeks with the OH

Also, climate - we're looking at May. Will it piss down on me? I always seem to book holidays to places where it's rainy season recently!

Stayed at Riu Merengue, in Puerto Plata, May/June '13.

Food was ok, American breakfast; food throughout day was usually in the restaurants around the pool etc. and evening meals were buffet style with usual 2/3 various cuisines. (Mexican/Chinese etc)
One day a week they had a BBQ on the beach, serving jerk chicken etc. which was lovely.

On arrival we were told that we were free to go out around outside the resort; but be very careful and carry NOTHING of value and as little cash as possible. It is a poor country, and they can spot tourist a mile off, we didn't bother leaving resort as we found no need/ couldn't be bothered.

Puerto Plata was lovely, and it is regarded as the worst beach, but it was lovely tbh. can't imagine the beach in Punta Cana if these were the worst.

We went as a family, around 10 of us, as many drinks as we could handle, entertainment every night. Optics and a free mini bar in every room, restocked daily. (Pepsi, Schweppes lemonade, local beer, water)

Staff were super friendly, and couldn't do enough for you. (A decent tip to a couple of waiters will ensure you a sea view in the restaurant on an evening; tell em what time you'll be in and they save you a table. Also gets your drinks brought to you around the pool )

We went in the last week of May and first of June, it was around 30 degrees all fortnight and on the day we left it was 35ish and rising at 10am. We had 2 downpours, which lasted all of 30 mins each, and it was absolutely fantastic to walk in too.

If you want to know more, ask away.

[D44nny]

Beach at punta Cana was lovely forgot to add that there is a shipwreck about 100 yards out to sea that you can canoe out to.

[justanother5tar]

D44nny said:

Beach at punta Cana was lovely forgot to add that there is a shipwreck about 100 yards out to sea that you can canoe out to.

I think we might be going Punta Cana next time. That sounds quite interesting.

[Butter Face]

We stayed at Bluebay Villas Doradas and it was lovely.

Not as nice as Jamaica and actually recently we had a nicer holiday in bloody Sharm El Sheikh!


As for leaving the hotel, I think we went out once, we got accosted by the normal taxi people and blokes with horses and carriages where the horses looked ready to keel over so I can't really comment too much on what it's like outside.

[a4cabrio]

I was out in the Domincan Republic in November, we stayed in the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar in Punta Cana. It's the 2nd time we have stayed at that hotel, the last time being in 2012. We love it in the Dominican Republic, we've been on a few excursions in the 2 times we've been there, swimming with dolphins, zip lining, Saona Island & buggy driving, we never had any problems while we were off resort.

[Pillskii]

a4cabrio said:

I was out in the Domincan Republic in November, we stayed in the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar in Punta Cana. It's the 2nd time we have stayed at that hotel, the last time being in 2012. We love it in the Dominican Republic, we've been on a few excursions in the 2 times we've been there, swimming with dolphins, zip lining, Saona Island & buggy driving, we never had any problems while we were off resort.

Stayed in the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar in May last year, good hotel and plenty of choice with food being able to use the sister hotel next door. Adults only is a plus too.

Weather in May is generally sunny, and any rain should pass over very quickly and normally falls at night.. That said, Caribbean weather can be a bit of a lottery sometimes.

[Muzzer79]

Thanks all - we're looking at Punta Cana, so from the positive responses that seems like a go-er!

[The Tea Boy]

Been back from Punta Cana for a week now, stayed at the Grand palladium (Bavaro bit)

Cannot rate the resort we stayed in highly enough, food was very good (as I've found with all AI's I get bored of eating)

Spotless! Great beach, lots of facilities and I also learnt to sail a hobby cat

Went for walks outside the resort, no problems at all even wearing an omega seamaster or new moto 360 watch and looking like a tourist.

Weather was great for the whole 11 nights.

Got a free bus to the local shopping center, which was crap but only used the free bus to get to the cigar factory (Don Lucas)
Worthwhile the free trip.

Any more info just pm me