O/T 1st trip to Dominican Rep

[Honeystar120608]

Hello all!
So I am planning a vacation for a bunch of us ladies for a Women's only vacation to the Dominican next March/April. Haven't decided when yet.
So my questions are pretty basic I suppose, I need all and any advice.
1) From NB I can get all inclusive flights included for around $1000(dbl occupancy). But seems like from Vancouver (as I have a friend out there who is coming) it's more pricey. Or, Im just not looking in the right places.
2) Any resorts that you recommend or not recommend?
I really don't even know the best questions to ask, so just any info as Im just starting out in my research so any help would be great!

 

[Practically_Perfect]

That trip sounds like it's going to be fun!

I'm also headed to the DR for the first time this coming winter in Feb, but it's for a friend's wedding, so I didn't have to do any hotel considerations, etc. They picked and I pay...

I have been to Cuba and Mexico a few times, so I can give you some basic advice. First, the flights to DR will be more expensive from YVR because they have to cross the continent first, then head south to DR. From NB, it's a straight jaunt down the coastline basically. That's where your difference in price is going to come from.

Personally, I'd stick with a minimum of a 4-star resort if you can. I would not go lower than a 3.5-star - no matter how much money it would save. That's my advice, take from it what you will. Also, as there's no international standard for star ratings, take them all with a grain of salt. In the caribbean, I've had great experiences at 4-star hotels and horrible/frustrating experiences at 5-star ones. They definitely don't line up with Canada's star ratings.

The other thing I've heard through friends, is that the food in the DR is not the best. I've heard that it's better than Cuba (though not hard feat to accomplish...) but worse than Mexico (understandable since it's an island, and MX is accessible by land). Of course, this is what I've heard from friends, so take from that what you will.

No matter what you decide, you'll be in the sun and sand with your besties, with the alcohol flowing all day long (if you wish), so how can you go wrong??

 

[Honeystar120608]

lol exactly, i want some nice food, but not looking for fine dining persay. AS I told my Mom, we need afternoon naps to sobber up. lol Ok, not THAT bad, but it's the first girl's ANYTHING since I had the kids...so by then over 6 years. My best friend is in Vancouver, havent seen her in over 7 years..she is coming. Her Mom who lives north NB is coming too. Plus a bunch of other friends who are important, but, again, I haven't seen my best friend in over 7 years. I am SO excited. Kids are at a good age now, I can go. I've paid my dues. I told dh that he can get an iPad if I get a trip to the dom rep with some gals. It was agreed on . I was gonna get him for Christmas anyway, but hey! hehe...
I never thought about the stars system!! good call. Yes, i was looking for something 4 starish.

 

[highland3]

DW and I... and later several other friends... have stayed at the Gran Bahia Principe in Punta Cana. It was EXCELLENT!

I agree, stick with 4* or better.

I can recommend an excellent website that is full of DR reviews, resort photos and discussion threads. Just send me a pm.

 

[Kat&Dom]

How exciting and what a fun vacation to plan.

I have been to the Puerto Plata numerous times - and I would recommend staying at a resort in the Playa Dorada complex (there are about 12 resorts in this complex) as it has good security, medical clinic, casino, shopping center, etc. There is a golf course that goes through the complex and it has beautiful beaches so it has a nice variety of scenery. It is also very close to the airport - takes about 15 minutes to get to resort from airport but just outside of Puerto Plata if you want to do any tours.

Another hotel is the Gran Bahia Principe (sister hotel to the one mentioned by PP) on the Puerto Plata side - it is about an 1 1/2 drive from the airport but beautiful beaches and good variety of restaurants. The food was really good here.

I would definitely stick with 4* or higher for the Dominican. My experience has been either the food is really good or the drinks - I have not experienced a resort that does both really good.

I would also chose a resort that has at least 4 different choices of restaurants because you do get tired of the same food every day. It is so nice to have a choice and variety. Most resorts have a buffet restaurant and 2 or 3 or more ala carte restaurants.

The Dominican people are very friendly and usually the beach vendor are fine with a No thank you - it is not like Mexico where they almost rip your arm off trying to get you to buy something.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Yeah stick with a 4* ... and for the record, ANY of the Riu resorts are amazing!!!

 

[retiredkid]

Yeah stick with a 4* ... and for the record, ANY of the Riu resorts are amazing!!!

I agree.... we love all the Riu properties.

Our best Caribbean trip EVER was at the Riu Palace Punta Cana.

We stayed a week and didn't do ANY sightseeing..... just stayed on the complex.

 

[fan1080]

Hello all!
So I am planning a vacation for a bunch of us ladies for a Women's only vacation to the Dominican next March/April. Haven't decided when yet.
So my questions are pretty basic I suppose, I need all and any advice.
1) From NB I can get all inclusive flights included for around $1000(dbl occupancy). But seems like from Vancouver (as I have a friend out there who is coming) it's more pricey. Or, Im just not looking in the right places.
2) Any resorts that you recommend or not recommend?
I really don't even know the best questions to ask, so just any info as Im just starting out in my research so any help would be great!

You'll have to let us all in on where you are finding those prices.

$1000 sounds a little low for Punta Cana that time of year.

Check out tripadvisor.com for reviews and pics of pretty much any resort. They also have forums for discussions/questions.

Have fun planning. All the best for a great trip.

 

[bdoyledimou]

I have stayed at the Riu Mamba and Bachatta (the High end and the Low end) in Puerto Plata.. We stayed Highend the first trip... and after a week there, decided to go to the Mamba for the next trip.
The rooms were a bit bigger at the Bachatta and it was closer to the shops and casino, but the fact you can share all the ameneties at all the three resorts (and for the Dis References the three resorts are located together in a stretch about the size of POP) it was all good. Same food at each and the beach at the Mamba is the BEST...

 

[DbleTheFun]

Stick with Punta Cana... Puerto Plata can be a lot cheaper but there is a reason! The weather and the sand is much more beautiful on the Punta Cana side of the island.

4* or better most definitely. Look for last minute deals, there are always some great ones to be found! (Dont book to far out in advance... generally speaking, prices go down not up for AI properties.)

Secrets Resorts are AMAZING, highly reccomend them.

We have been to Dominican over a dozen times, we love it... the only negative is that there are a lot of properties that are also Time Shares, so laying on the beach, you may be approached repeatedly by people trying to sell you on the property. Just wave them away politely and enjoy your holiday!

 

[Honeystar120608]

You'll have to let us all in on where you are finding those prices.

$1000 sounds a little low for Punta Cana that time of year.

Check out tripadvisor.com for reviews and pics of pretty much any resort. They also have forums for discussions/questions.

Have fun planning. All the best for a great trip.

$1000 per person that is..but based on dbl occupancy. Flights included still though. Sunwing.ca

 

[mickilee]

The DR is my 2nd home. I go 3 times a yr. Like the other says. Stay at a 4 stars or better.

Gran Bahia Principe if you stay here. Try to upgrade to golden. They usually have a special for this.

I am a Rui snob.
RUIs you cant go wrong. Bachatta the hotel people are awesome at this resort. And they make sure you are having fun. And have the best slushie drinks.

As for the food, you can always find something to eat. I am picky eater and never starved.

If you can, do a day off the resort. guided or unguided. You will meet the most friendly people there.

I just got back from cuba. and didnt care for it at all. Acutally i was bored the most of the time.

 

[Honeystar120608]

The DR is my 2nd home. I go 3 times a yr. Like the other says. Stay at a 4 stars or better.

Gran Bahia Principe if you stay here. Try to upgrade to golden. They usually have a special for this.

I am a Rui snob.
RUIs you cant go wrong. Bachatta the hotel people are awesome at this resort. And they make sure you are having fun. And have the best slushie drinks.

As for the food, you can always find something to eat. I am picky eater and never starved.

If you can, do a day off the resort. guided or unguided. You will meet the most friendly people there.

I just got back from cuba. and didnt care for it at all. Acutally i was bored the most of the time.

i would love to consider the Rius, but it appears as though sunwing.ca doesn't sell packages with them, or are sold out for this season with them. It doesn't come up.
Just checked Sunquest and they have Riu Naiboa and Taino for $450-$540...plus the taxes..but that sounds really good right? That is for May... do you think right after Christmas I'd find a price like that for March? I wish I would have known to be checking for this at Christmas time. We just said, in a year, all us girls are going! I wish it was for 5 days though and not 7. Long time to be away from my kiddos. Seems like there is nothing I can do though, flights seem to be every 7 days.

 

[Honeystar120608]

Oh..and...Heck yeah to the slushies!!!

 

[mickilee]

that is a good price for May..

but counting on next yr for that as a price.. i dont think so.. hard call.. Since alot of people travel during this time of year.. Unless you wait last minute.

Dont forget to check when the Us and CA spring break is. I forgot one year. YIKES.
Best time to travel to the DR is middle of sept to beginning of nov. You can get awesome deals and the weather is amazing. And the resorts are usually quiet. So better prices to be had.

No 5 days packages.. Unless you go to the hotel site , book a room and separate flght. But that usually can cost more in the end.

after a few slushie drinks.. the kiddos will be a mirage.
Rui's arent cheapie cheapie on the booze.. or watered down ..

 

[irisesareblue]

I hate to be a buzz kill but hubby and I looked at DR, then went to our travel health nurse who does our immunizations - she discouraged us from going to DR due to malaria being present on some part of the island. You can check the Government of Canada Travel website - there will be an outline of which areas of the DR that their website is suggesting malaria prophylaxis for. You can get malaria from mosquitoes - I can't remember which area of the island though - sorry....if the resort is high end (like 4*) they will fog for mosquitoes - if it is a lower * resort, it may be questionable. Just something to check on.....