Punta Cana Travel Forum

Hi, am planning on just a week getaway, celebrating with my mom who just turned 70 but is still full of life. I am hoping someone can help me out with some suggestions.
Puerta Plata vs Punta Cana looking for a resort that will satisfy both of us. We both like the sun me a bit more than my mom , but am looking for a resort that will satisfy both of us, friendly, am not picky about food or accomodations but for my mom want something good for her. I don't mind hanging out playing bingo, but am also looking for some good night life at the resort ..and combine a bit of day time culture that I can venture out on my own, although I have never been at a resort, don't mind staying if there if there are options to participate or watch activities.
Thank you!

Congratulations on your mom's 70th birthday. May she continue being healthy :)

Now, and this is only IMO, I think you should head to Puerto Plata for a combination of activities at the hotel for you and your mom, night life and culture. Sosúa and Cabarete have most of the All Inclusive resorts in the Puerto Plata area. From any of them it's a 40-minute drive or bus ride to Puerto Plata city, a 2'ish hour bus ride to Santiago for more culture and if you want to go even farther, then a 4'ish hour bus ride to Santo Domingo. Sosúa offers good night life outside the resort. The hotel should have tour reps with tours to all these areas, and if you want to do it that way it would be wise to look around to compare prices.

Since you're going in February, maybe you guys could consider a trip to Samaná ang going whale watching?

Oh yes, every Sunday there's the carnival in La Vega, a 2.5-3'ish hour bus ride from Sosúa or Cabarete.

I have never been to Punta Cana (as it is the most expensive part of the island for us locals) but what I hear is that there's only one discotheque called Mangú. Other than that there's not much to do at night - but I'm not sure.

Check www.debbiesdominicantravel.com for ideas on resorts as well as reviews. Here's a serious travel agency that offers day trips: www.colonialtours.com.do.

Hope it helps.

Hi Marie,
Thank you so much for the information that was very helpful, will be sure to look at the websites you gave, and the whale watching sounds fantastic!
Puerto Plato sounds good I will look at resorts in Sosua and Cabareta!
Thanks again!

No problem, that's what we're here for.

Hope you find something that you and your mom enjoy :)

If you give us only the choice of those two areas you nearly have to go for Puerto Plata, as Punta Cana is so isolated from the rest of the world.

I did not like Puerto Plata at all, too much cheap tourism, the landscape a lot less appealing than in other regions, and the weather was always much better further down south.

Don't you have any offers for resorts in the south, either Samaná or La Romana/Juan Dolio, so a trip to Santo Domingo would not be a major undertaking?

Hey that's a good idea (Juan Dolio/Romana area)!

Ok Ok Ok i have seen the answers and i can tell that the best opcion its La Romana/Juan Dolio i have been there and also in Punta cana(Cap Cana) but this one its soooo overwhelming whit tourist if u want culture come to santiago and contact me if u want we can drink some bear and take your mom to nice culture places. if you going to juan dolio give me a reply for getting you prices.

thanks will keep it in mind!

Ok im here for helping so feel free to ask.

In contrast to the above, my experience in the Puerto Plata area was marvelous. But if you will be going to a resort much of your satisfaction or lack thereof will depend on the style and management of the resort. The various resorts try with varying degrees of success to prove a complete vacation experience. In doing this they usually build walls and chose locations away from the local populations. In my limited experience, this results in a feeling of international isolation. This could be good or bad; it depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. Organized and even independent excursions out of the resort can only partially ease this feeling.
Due to my lack of experience with resorts in the DR I can not recommend a specific resort--(I would not recommend to you and your mom the Bartolo property outside of Santa Domingo that I have stayed at three times over the last three years.)-- but I can say that if I was taking my mother for a week of relaxation I would take her to Sosua. Even at the holiday time I was there it had as nice laid-back atmosphere as you might hope for in a small town. Lots of vacationers supporting an attractive collection of bars, restaurants and clubs. Even if you stay at a resort hotel in the town you really have the whole town and two interesting beaches at your feet.

PS: Puerta Plata city is worth a day visit, but do not an overnight stay for someone looking for a resort or even someone who would stay in a nicer hotel.

Good luck, bob

Well sosua its a great idea too so decide by yourself but dont go to puerto plata or punta cana. I have been in sosua in a lay back condo and its really nice and have pool, cable and i think internet its good for relaxing but its not a hotel or resort so you cook and all and i dont think that u want that so get some info about sosua or juan dolio those are the best opcion for you or santiago calm side.