Dominican Republic Travel Forum

previously posted this on tripadvisor, but no one there was really nice or helpful. hoping you guys/girls might have more input.

i was elected to plan our senior spring break trip with a local travel agent. GREAT (not). We have a group of around 15 kids and a total of about 45-50 with parents and family. This is a wealthy town (i live on the outskirts of it :( ) so these kids are sort of spoiled. I was lucky enough to have one of them take me with him to the Grand Palladium White Sands in Mayan Rivera two years ago. I would say our resort needs to be at least as classy as that. For the few less wealthy individuals who have to pay our own way we would like it to be around $1500 a person for 7 days and nights. My travel agent told me we could not get into all resorts because we are a large group of spring breakers. So we were looking at returning to the GP Rivera Maya, but would like to go somewhere new. So we have looked at the GP Punta Cana and the GP Puerto Vallarta. This has to be through apple vacations as well. The reason i am hesitant of punta cana is that it seems that it may lack night life and partying. Both Puerto Vallarta and Mayan Rivera have carlos and charlies and senor frogs. I think a pub crawl and a party catamaran would be awesome to do. I'm a little hesitant of puerto vallarta because the beaches looked small and like rocky cliff sides. Cancun is out of the question due to safety concerns. Where should we go?? What resorts would you suggest???? AHHHHHH!! we need to choose soon. THANKS to all who respond.

Hi- I;ll be visiting Constanza in June and wondered what there might be to do there- at night and during the day. I want a little relaxation- but not too much.. some partying wouldn;t be too bad. Not sure what it's got going on , as little is written about it, but from all the reports I hear from other travellers- I really shouldn;t miss going there for a few days.... thanks Mike

Hi, i will be bussing it from Santo Domingo to Baharona and jaracoba- and wondered if it is poss to get from Jaracoaba to Constanza and la vega instead of going all the way back to Santo Domingo- I don't mind taking gua guas even though it might be a bit slow- give me a chance to hang with the locals a bit...
thks
Mike

We will be taking a cruise at the end of May and one of their stops is Santa Barbara de Samana. I've looked at other forums and from what I gathered transportation can be costly. We're not sure where we want to go yet either! We are sure we would like to go to a beach but not sure the closest and/or nicest. Can anyone give some advice (thanks in advance!!)

my wife and i honeymooned in punta cana 3 years ago. while i was there i bought a black bead necklace from a vendor on the beach. last week the necklace broke. i cant remember the name of the beads used. it is a smooth volcanic rock that is very heavy. someone please help me so i can find new beads online.

I am going to Punta Cana this summer and was wondering if anyone had some advice on the Jungle Sarari excursions. They all seem alike and was curious which company to book trip with. I have heard of Bavaro runners and Outback Safari and did not know which one might be the best.

We are visitng Punta Cana on Monday for 2 weeks,plaes can you tell me what the weather is like.
Does it rain a lot, how much sunhine is there ?

Melvin&Christine

This is my second time going to Santo Domingo, and I'm looking for a really NICE beach to spend the day. The last time I went, I took a day trip to Isla Saona and Aura Beach House/Lounge in Juan Dolio. Aura Beach House was nice in terms of atmosphere, but the water wasn't crystal clear and blue as it is elsewhere. Isla Saona was nice, but it was a long trip from Santo Domingo and I found the beach to be really quiet and kinda boring.

I like cystal clear water and white sand, however, as a young 20-something I'd like to visit a beach where there is a little more pep. Some zest. Any advice? How is Boca Chica?

I've heard Baharona is a place to see in the D R- can anyone recommend a decent hotel in town? I am gay- but not over the top- but is it a problem in Baharona to meet people like myself?

I will be visiting The Dom Rep in June- does anyone know of any exciting amusement parks- particularly roller coaster rides- in the D R? I know they have plenty of marine parks- but I can't swim so that kind of puts me in the back seat. Basically, I'd like to tour about a bit not as a tourist in Puerto Plata or Punta Cana, being fed the usual tourist diet of sites, but those off the beaten track that Dominicans enjoy themselves. Any ideas much appreciated.
I don't mind bussing it around at all.Anything to see the real untouristed Dominican republic
Mike

hi guys.

i am thinking of booking a holiday staying at the Sirenis Cocotal Beach Resort Casino & Spa, Punta Cana from october 3rd for two weeks.

for starters i was wondering if the weather will be a problem?

seconds has anyone stayed there and have an reviews/ advice?

thanks in advance

IS THE HAMACA CORAL AND THE HAMACA OASIS THE SAME RESORT OR ARE THEY TWO DIFFERENT PLACES?

I am traveling to Punta Cana this summer and will be staying @ the Grand Palladium. Are there any nearby casinos that offer the table game craps.

Where are the best areas for street vendors selling oil paintings?

hello, how much am I expected to pay for a cab from the airport?
I am staying at Costa Caribe Coral Resort?

thwank u in advance, i will arrive there tomorrow 5.30 pm local time

Hello,

I am considering getting married at the Iberostar Bavaro, Punta Cana. Just wondering if anyone has ever been there and has any thoughts on the resort...

Also, if planning a wedding with guests, is it better to go directly through the resort, or through a travel agent?

Thanks!!

I am planning on staying next week at hotel Bayahibe. I would like to know if there are wifi hot spots in this town. Preferably at hotel Bayahibe.

At the very least an internet cafe where I could plug my laptop.

Thanks

hello, i am going to this area for 8 days. what are the nicest beaches to see around here? is there also any nice nature-areas like natural reserves, falls etc?
thank u very much in advance

HI, I'M PLANNING ON GETTING SURGERY IN SANTO DOMINGO IN EL CENTRO DE CIRUJIA PLASTICA(CECEP). WHAT BEACHES WOULD BE THE CLOSEST TO THIS AREA I'M WILLING TO TRAVEL NO MORE THAN 40 MINUTES FROM THE CLINIC. PLEASE HELP NEVER BEEN OVER THERE!!!

How do I get someone set up in advance to pick up and take us to our resort from the airport. Always before when we have traveled in the this area it has been set up for us. I'd like to have someone pick us up and return us to the airport so I don't have to worry about it prior to arriving. We need to go to Gran Paradise Bavaro By VRC Carretera Del Marao Arena Borda Bavaro. If you could help us I'd be very greatful. We arrive 5/5/08 at 3:24 PM and return 5/12/08 at 7:47 PM but would need to get to the airport about 2 hours earily so about 5:47 PM. I will just be my husband and I. Again if you can assist me, please let me know soon so I won't keep looking. Thank you. Kay

Ola Amigos y Amigas!

I was wondering if you could recommend me a destination a in the DR based on my
critrias.

I will be travelling alone for 2 week from May 31, 2008 and I am a real freak
lover of all latin dances.

Dont worry, I am not affraid to go out at night alone....I just need to know
what is the best location & hotel for a single woman. (I do not want to be bored
and at the same time I dont want a low class hotel. At least 4 * and ++.

I wish to go dancing every night and during the day enjoy scuba diving & a
beautiful beach.

I have been to Sosua, it was nice but not amazing...Punta Cana I do not know and
same for Puerto Plata but I think the beaches are not that nice. If I go to La
Romana I heard that the beach are great but it is very quiet at night.

So where do I go????

i was reading about the cane farm tours and rum factory tours. can anyone tell me where to go? i'm only here for another 2 days...

How any one stayed in one of these resorts? I am going in the fall and would like to know which is is better. THANKS!

Has anyone stayed or has any experiences of staying at the Riu Bambu Beachclub in Bavaro?
Any thoughts would be great before i book!

Hi,I just booked a trip to the grand oasis punta cana and the flight is to santo domingo airport. I did not realize it was 3-4 hours away! I have rented a car (big van for my family of 8) but cannot find directions anywhere.
Any advice?

Does anyone know of any Limo service(s) from the Puerto Plata airport to a resort? Not looking for a taxi or moto.. :)

thanks..

bill - mtbbill@verizon.net

My mother and I are going to the Majestic Colonial for the week of April 24 to attend a wedding. Has anyone stayed there, I have read such mixed reviews!!! Also do we take CDN$ or US$. Thanks for everyone's help

Hi,

Does anybody know if there are any passenger ferries from the Dominican Republic or Haiti to Mexico? And if there are how much do they cost?

Thanks

We're going to Costa Dorada in July, for two weeks. My 16 year old son has Addison's Disease - a very rare condition, not widely known or understood. He's steroid dependent. Heaven forbid he should become ill.... but if he does, we have to get him to a hospital for treatment immediately.

I'm in the process of having his medical alert card, doctors emergency plan and some other relevant ino translated into Spanish, but I'd like to find out: a)names and addresses of private as well as state hospitals in the vicinity
b)whether doctors/nurses/staff at those hospitals are going to speak/understand English

Chrissie

i was in santo domingo in the beginning of january and there was this song playing every day at my resort coral costa caribe it had the beat from ill be watching you (or missing you by p.diddy) but the lyrics were every step you take every move you make i wanna dance with you.. does anyone know what this song is called or who it is by?! thank you