Dominican republic

[a4cabrio]

Myself and the mrs are going to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for our holiday this year, has anybody got any knowledge of the Punta Cana area?? Things to do, things to avoid doing.

We both want to swim with dolphins, this might seem a stupid question, but would the dolphins be captive dolphins in a pool or would it be out at sea with wild dolphins??

Just looking for any tips on the Dominican Republic in general.

We're staying at the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar if anyone has stayed there before.

[Butter Face]

Hi mate.

I'm off to Puerto Plata in Augusut for two weeks, I know it is a different area, but my parents have been to DR many times and have stayed everywhere and swam with dolphins here http://www.dolphinworld.org/dominican-republic-dol...

Obviously they're in captivity, but mum (who isn't really into it normally) said it was amazing and they looked very happy and well looked after.

Don't think we'll do it as my wife is a beachy person so we will just be relaxing and reading and eating for 2 weeks

EDIT: Easier link here http://www.dolphinworld.org/reserve-dominican-repu...

[a4cabrio]

Thanks butter face, I've never been to DR, but have heard some great reports from friends who have been. Have you been before??

Thankyou for the link, thats the company i think we'll go with, I'm not really into dolphins being kept captive in pools, hence my original question, but at least the dolphins in the link you provided are kept in the sea, it's slightly hypocritical of me I know, but we didn't want to miss the chance of swimming with dolphins.

Your parents must love DR, got to be a good sign if they keep going back for more

Thanks again

[Butter Face]

We've never been to the DR before, we always had a European holiday once a year, but after getting married in Jamaica in 2010 I will now only go to the carribean. Even if that means one holiday every 2 years, it's worth it IMO.

My parents love the place, they do lots of trips out etc. they always advise to take loads of small treats for kids out there it you will be doing trips etc as the children out there don't get a lot and LOVE sweets, books, pens etc. they always take a bag of stuff to be nice to the local kids. Just a thought if that's your thing!

[a4cabrio]

I've had enough of European holidays for the time being, so are doing similar to yourself and having a holiday every 2 years but making it a special holiday. We don't go til November, but I like to start check some things and ask some advice of people who have been before.

My mrs says she will bring some sweets, she also says she'll probably be like the pied piper with a trail of kids following lol. We've been told its a bit of a shock once you leave a resort and see the real DR, as you already said, the locals don't really have much.

[Butter Face]

I'll be honest we will be staying at the resort, in Jamaica we went out a few times and the feeling of being accosted wasn't fantastic.

I'm going to drink piña coladas and read books in the sun.

[Jon Ison]

We have taken lots of holidays in DR including seeing in the new year for the last 3 years at beach party's, it's a great place, where are you staying ?

It can be a bit of a shock in the real DR, 7 years ago my wife took seriously ill out there, had to have an emergency life saving operation surgons called out on a Sunday evening, in total we where there 7 weeks, the hospital was in the middle of town amongst all the areas you wouldn't normally see, I would have to go out daily to get whatever we needed never felt threatened in any way, the care she received was 1st class but the surroundings where let's say not what we are used to, she described the operating theatre as a run down kitchen with tiles missing here and there, they saved her life and we will be forever great full.

USD is king, don't bother with any local currency, wouldn't recommend car hire, taxis are ok just close your eyes, agree a price before getting in. Trips ? Probably best on organised stuff, plenty of offers around the hotels, you can barter price down.

The last place we stayed, dreams resort la ramana was typical of a 4 star there, great food with a massive selection, foam party's by the pool, full sized outdoor screen on the beach for late night movies, "proper" coffe bar, named spirits the list goes on, oh and great beach. You may give Europe a miss if this is your 1st time.

[a4cabrio]

Jon Ison said:

We have taken lots of holidays in DR including seeing in the new year for the last 3 years at beach party's, it's a great place, where are you staying ?

It can be a bit of a shock in the real DR, 7 years ago my wife took seriously ill out there, had to have an emergency life saving operation surgons called out on a Sunday evening, in total we where there 7 weeks, the hospital was in the middle of town amongst all the areas you wouldn't normally see, I would have to go out daily to get whatever we needed never felt threatened in any way, the care she received was 1st class but the surroundings where let's say not what we are used to, she described the operating theatre as a run down kitchen with tiles missing here and there, they saved her life and we will be forever great full.

USD is king, don't bother with any local currency, wouldn't recommend car hire, taxis are ok just close your eyes, agree a price before getting in. Trips ? Probably best on organised stuff, plenty of offers around the hotels, you can barter price down.

The last place we stayed, dreams resort la ramana was typical of a 4 star there, great food with a massive selection, foam party's by the pool, full sized outdoor screen on the beach for late night movies, "proper" coffe bar, named spirits the list goes on, oh and great beach. You may give Europe a miss if this is your 1st time.

Wow, must have been a scary situation with your wife, especially in a foreign country, hope she made a full recovery.

Been told US$ is the main currency they like to have, lots of dollar bills for tips as well, so I hear.

We are staying at the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar in Punta Cana, it's a huge resort with 4 hotels on it, a guy at work has stayed there for the last 3 years and we are going on his recommendation.

Really looking forward to it, just not the 8 hour flight.

[Butter Face]

Good to hear that review Jon.

I'm staying at Blue Bay Villas Doradas, puerto plata. My parents have stayed there and say it is nice!

[a4cabrio]

Butter Face said:

I'll be honest we will be staying at the resort, in Jamaica we went out a few times and the feeling of being accosted wasn't fantastic.

I'm going to drink piña coladas and read books in the sun.

Don't blame ya, I only intend on leaving the resort for the dolphin trip, the rest of the time will be chilling out, swimming back and forth from the pool bar

[Jon Ison]

a4cabrio said:

Don't blame ya, I only intend on leaving the resort for the dolphin trip, the rest of the time will be chilling out, swimming back and forth from the pool bar

Word of caution, every time you put your glass down it will be full within seconds, beware the 151 rum, it's as near to 100% as it gets, don't know your hotel but took a look at it, looks typical DR I'm sure you will have a great time, the only argument we ever have there is who's turn it is to walk 10yds to the bar from the sun bed, I quickly learnt a few $$ in the right hands you don't even have to do that, they will see you empty yr glass and be exchanging it for a full one within seconds.

One other tip if you are doing a trip do it on a weekend, it's traditionall in DR for locals to come into the hotels at weekends and it will get lively around the pool bars, depends how close your hotel is to local villages, our last one was a way away and didn't see many locals in.

[a4cabrio]

Jon Ison said:

Word of caution, every time you put your glass down it will be full within seconds, beware the 151 rum, it's as near to 100% as it gets, don't know your hotel but took a look at it, looks typical DR I'm sure you will have a great time, the only argument we ever have there is who's turn it is to walk 10yds to the bar from the sun bed, I quickly learnt a few $$ in the right hands you don't even have to do that, they will see you empty yr glass and be exchanging it for a full one within seconds.

One other tip if you are doing a trip do it on a weekend, it's traditionall in DR for locals to come into the hotels at weekends and it will get lively around the pool bars, depends how close your hotel is to local villages, our last one was a way away and didn't see many locals in.

151 rum, sounds like you have 1st hand experience of how lethal it'll be and lived to tell the tale.............have also been told a few dollar bills here and there can get you very well looked after, drinks etc etc.

Might be worth doing the dolphin trip on a Sunday, won't see any locals out and about if their all at the hotel

Thanks for the great tips Jon

[Butter Face]

Bring a bottle of 151 home with you, great fun getting people to drink a capful

[Garym85]

Hi there,

we went to Dominican- Punta cana a couple of years back...infact think it was about three years now.
Stayed at Dreams Punta cana.


First thing, Take US dollars. Nothing else needed. Regardless of what the travel agents say.
We are just back from Jamaica on Thursday and were told the same thing.

second, its a beautiful but very very poor country. remember that, it will be absolutley evident when out and about. since weve been the Disaster in Haiti has happened, Im not sure if thats made a knock on effect to DR.

Really nice people, We still say it is the best resort we have stayed in and since then have been to Jamaica, Turkey,France and Mexico twice.

We did the dolphin swimming there- it is out in the ocean but in a man made enclosure if that makes sense.
it was actually the best dolphin swimming I have done( done it three times now).

an Absolute must is a trip to Saona Island. We loved it. Catamaran there. time on the island and then speed boats back to land which takes about 45mins.

Anything else you want to know- drop me a PM.

[APanda]

Jon Ison said:

Beware the 151 rum, it's as near to 100% as it gets.

This. Ever watched The Hangover? My experience was that but replace Vegas with Lifestyle Tropical Resort, Peurto Plata.

ETA – Oh and make sure you try as much 'Mamajuana' as you can too.

[Butter Face]

Garym85 said:

Hi there,
Cool stuff.

Cheers for the infor Gary, where in Jamaica did you stay?

We went there for 3 weeks in 2010 and loved it, so hoping for a good experience in DR. Only 17 days to go now!!

[Garym85]

We stayed in the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort.

It was ok, not a patch on Dreams in Dominican in my view. My partner and I both getting food poisoning within a few days of each other probably helped influence my view though.

Jamaica in general is very good, Really liked that its an English speaking country, makes the language barrier a bit easier but the Jamaica dialect is just as hard sometimes.

You will love DR. Id go back in a heartbeat over anywhere Ive been.

[Dick Dastardly]

We went there couple of years ago and it was a good place to be. My favourite thing was hiring a little speed boat and doing a tour of the coast. For something like only $50 you can have your own boat and a group of 4-5 couples in boats follow a guide boat around the area. You stop off to do some snorkelling at one point, and to visit a secluded beach at another point. A really great way to spend an afternoon, good value for money and really good fun for a petrol head.

[disco1]

I came back from the DR a few weeks ago, 2nd time there, both times to Bayahibe. Amazing place to go as very private, all hotels well spaced apart, private beaches...etc..etc

Not sure I'd go to Punta Cana though, looked pretty well built up and touristy.

Try Bayahibe, Ibersotar Hacienda or Dreams La Romana. Recent holiday for 2 weeks in Dreams was £700 via Thomas Cook.

[a4cabrio]

disco1 said:

Not sure I'd go to Punta Cana though, looked pretty well built up and touristy.

I made a mistake, we're staying in bavaro, I think it's Punta Cana I'm flying into