OT: Need advice on Dominican Republic for my sister *updated to add Mexico

[TimNDansMom]

I have not been to the Dominican Republic but she is looking for input about the island and resorts.

My sister, DH and DS11 and DS13 are thinking of going to the DR in December. They live near Nanaimo, BC, in Nanoose Bay and said that the DR is cheaper than going to Mexico.

She said she's been looking at the Club Golden at the Bahia Principe San Juan (just under $6000 for all of them for two weeks), and Breezes Puerto Plato Superclub--Air Transat Holidays.

Any information that I can pass along to her would be appreciated!

 

[mbb]

Principe is more isolated, and has a "village all it's own" type feel.

Superclub is well.....super and might have more "stuff" for her kids.

We love Sosua as well

It's all good

 

[Amberle3]

The Puerto Plata area is busier and a little more active because of the relativel proximity of the town. The beaches are more amber in colour, it's a little windier and the waters tend to be a little rougher.

The Punta Cana area is more remote, has white sand beaches and calmer waters. There isn't the same kind of night life in terms of a town in the vicinity, so you're more restricted to what's at your resort (or resorts, if you're at one with exchange privileges).

It's the season for product launches with vendors, and I've been to quite a few in the last several weeks. Almost every one has said the same thing - it's really hard to find a *bad* resort in the dominican. Sure you're going to find varying levels of amenities and services, just as you find resorts that range from 3 to 5 star. It's all up to the individual's preferences.

And that's my free info for the day

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

Here is a link to a Dominican Travel board

I have no coments on resorts selected

 

[Sandyincanada]

Definately go to the message board that Disney Nut has posted a link to. I spend alot of time on that board, its excellent. We were in DR a few months ago but in Punta Cana...gorgeous. There are many many trip reports on Debbies, this will give her tons of info. I think she will find that Bahia, although farther out seems to have better reviews than Breezes in POP judging by the reports I've read anyways.

 

[Amberle3]

One thing to be aware of with Debbie's - I was told shortly after I found that site to treat the reviews there cautiously - apparently folks who are associated with the resorts have a tendency to post gleaming reports about their own resorts and bad reviews of the others. I was told this by a very trusted colleague who's very involved with the Caribbean tourist board.

 

[Sandyincanada]

As a regular poster there, I find that very hard to believe. When I read the reviews of the resort we stayed in, several had picture links and in almost all, I recognized the posters name as posters on the board. Its very easy to check an ip addy and I think it would look suspicious if the reviews came from the DR. Now the Trip Advisor is a whole different story, lol.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Thank you ALL for the information about resorts in the Dominican Republic. I have passed it on to my sister and she is very grateful!

Because of some of the reviews she read, she said she's a bit worried about going to the DR, but I will pass along both your comments Amberle3 and SandyinCanada.

Now she is also thinking of Mexico. I haven't been there in years (Acapulco) and was wondering if anyone had a great resort in the same price range as those in the DR above and/or what areas you recommend. I know I have always wanted to go to Cancun.

TIA!!

 

[Sandyincanada]

A good 4star in Mexico will cost quite abit more than the DR specially in Cancun. Punta Cana's bavaro beach and ocean is prettier by the way. Actually its the prices this winter that made us decide to go to Orlando instead, lol. Try looking at www.selloffvacations.com to get some price ideas.

 

[Amberle3]

At this point I highly, highly recommend that your sister sit down with a travel agent and discuss the options, if that's at all possible.

At an agency she'll be able to pick up the latest brochures, get feedback from people who have probably been to some of the resorts, get pricing and recommendations, and more. It won't cost her any more than going online, and if for some reason she does find a place cheaper at a discounter (ie selloffvacations) she should know that most of the vendors have a price-match policy and will allow the travel agency to match the price of the discounter.

In my life before being a travel agent I had some experience with the discounters, and the difference between booking with them as opposed to a traditional agency. You get what you pay for in terms of customer service, and if there's any problem at all with your booking you'll be hard-pressed to find any help from a discounter. They're set up for sales, not service.

 

[riu girl]

Have been to DR only once and would not be in a huge hurry to go back. So much garbage everywhere. I have not stayed in Punta Cana area though and have heard it is much better since it is a much newer resort area. I stayed in Boca Chica area (1999) and the resort was clean but garbage as soon as you step off the resort. Watched garbage men, they had no gloves or shovels, used cardboard to try and pick garbage off the streets. Even scuba diving, garbage was apparent in the ocean.
Also, a lot more people seem to come back ill from the DR then Mexico. Went with 3 others and they all were ill for part of our 2 week holiday. I was on a strong antibiotic to avoid this type of think and was fine.

Now Mexico: I have been there 5 times (1992, 1993, 1994, 2002, 2003) and absolutely love it. I have been to Acapulco (ok but very busy and beaches nothing to write home about), P. Vallarta (beaches not so great but atmosphere amazing, hotel staff very smart etc etc), Cancun (amazing if you are looking to party but a lot of high rises and not much Mexican feel, not crazy about the "strip", but amazing food and resorts/pools), and the Mayan Riveria (my absolute favourite, would go back in a heart beat, the best beaches I have ever seen, food, resorts, people, scenery, day trips offered OUTSTANDING, can't say enough about this area). RIU chain offers a lot of lodging optioins in this area and a couple are off the beach, therefore, cheaper.

Can check out www.sunhoidays.ca, www.belairtravel.com for the lowest prices, but keep in mind these agencies offer NO customer service (that would be a thread in itself, just beware especially SUN HOLIDAYS and I travel 2000 they are NASTY). Best bet is to find a cheap price on their web site and see if a reliable travel agent can almost match it.

Personally, I would recommend the RIU chain in Mexico, their service, resorts, beaches are unsurpassed in my opinion. RIU Tequila (one hour south of Cancun in the Mayan Riv, about 5 minutes south of Playa del Carmen )is off beach (but you can walk or shuttle there) and is by far the best value in the area. Customer service and food unsurpassed. We were there during a hurricane and you would not believe how amazing the hotel staff was. Can't say enough good about the RIU.

Any more questions please feel free to ask. DH is rushing me off the computer.

RIU GIRL

 

[TimNDansMom]

Amberle3, my sister has been consulting with a travel agent but at this point isn't sure which resort or location to choose, so she has been looking for input from her friends and me.

I will pass along the info about the RIU chain, riu girl. Thanks! (does your screen name have anything to do with the RIU hotel chain? )

 

[East Coaster]

You can find customer reviews on these resorts at tripadvisor.com, I check their site for hotel and resort reviews quite often. One bad review doesn't mean not to go but if there are quite a few......

 

[riu girl]

Yes, I am Riu Girl due to my love of the RIU's.

RIU recently opened a new 4 star RIU in the Mayan Riv, Mexico. It is about 10 minutes from beach so can't walk to the beach. A shuttle is available though. It would probably be the least expensive of the RIU's in the Cancun/Mayan Riv area. I don't know the name of it but by checking www.riu.com you can look up RIU's by location. I just checked the web site and it is not listed so I guess it is not open yet. Sorry, it was supposed to open this month. O well, then the RIU Tequila (where I've stayed) would be the best value then in the Mayan Riv. The RIU web site is pretty informative but don't look at the prices here though. It is much cheaper to book through an agent in Ontario and get a package including air/food/drinks and transfers.

AS I said in my last post, the RIUS are OUTSTANDING in my opinion. The food is the best I've eaten in Mexico/Caribbean and there is a 5 page drink menu at each of the bars. At one of the swim up bars I once counted 40 different kinds of alcohol. And by staying at the RIU Tequila in the mayan Riv you have full access to 3 other RIU properties all within a five minute walk (a new pool/swim up bar every day)!!! Pools are HUGE. The beach is the best I've been on.

Also, back to P. Vallarta , Mexico. You sister could probably find something comparable (price wise) to P. Plata, Dominican Rep. I have been to P. Vallarta twice (Sheraton, 5 star very pricey) and last year Club Embarcadero . It is a real find. It is a 3 star all inclusive in the Marina Vallarta area. The staff and food is great considering it is a 3 star. The beach is not wonderful ( I prefer a white sand beach) but for the price it goes for it offers amazingly good value. It is a few minutes walk to the beach. But on the beach side there is a sister resort and you have full use of it (including beach, pools, bars, restaurants, entertainment etc).
The town of P. Vallarta offers tons of restaurants, entertainment etc. The main street down town (the Malecon) runs parallel to the ocean and is breath taking. The streets are a dark red cobblestone and the atmosphere amazing day and evening. Very safe at night to wander around and tons of activities/festivals etc etc. It is my favourite Mexican evening spot. Buses are very safe and cheap and run from the hotel areas to downtown. The mountains in the background make for an amazing view.

There is a RIU in P. Vallarta (RIU Jalisco) and is often a little cheaper then the mayan Riv but for the few extra $$$, I would rather go to the Mayan Riv and enjoy the amazing WHITE sand beaches. But if interested in P. Vallarta, check out this RIU in case the price does drop low enough.

We booked last minute last year for C. Embarcadero and paid only $404 Cdn each plus tax all inclusive. (air/hotel/food/drinks/transfers/entertainment) etc. Mind you, it was during hurricane season (mid-Sept) so prices are very low then. We were supposed to go to St. Maarten (but hadn't booked yet) and a hurricane was headed for the area so changed our plans last minute to go to the Pacific side of Mexico. The weather was lovely there. We usually book about 3 or 4 days before departure therefore, get great prices. Planning our upcoming WDW trip is very different for me since we are planning so far ahead.

Gotta go. Wish your sister good luck with her decision.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask away. If she does seriously consider CLub Embarcadero, pm me her address and I can send her my C. Embarcadero brochure.

Riu Girl

 

[Sandyincanada]

I have to agree that the RUI's are great but they are also costly. We've been to Mexico, DR and Cuba....loved them all for different reasons. We also bring our teens. Once a child hits 12 (approx), they pay full adult prices except in a few resorts. The few places I've seen in Puerto Vallarta that has cut rates for older kids is the Melia and the Marival. Both 4 stars. We've stayed at the Melia, great place, awesome pool but very rough ocean, it was beside club Embarcadaro. But keep in mind if the kids like to swim in the ocean that PV is rough until you get to Nuevo Vallarta. The ocean in Cuba (Holguin anyways) and Punta Cana was very calm, you could walk out for a long time.

If you like alot of off resort activities, then Mexico may be the place for you...just keep in mind the rough ocean (for the kids) when you are looking at resorts. Some resort locales are rougher than others. Mayan is lovely but I can't see you getting there in the price range you mentioned. We couldn't anyways this winter.

Club Amigo in Holguin, Cuba has good kids deals..cut rates and they have thier own connecting room. Never stayed there but I know the beach is good, ocean calm and never heard anything bad about it. I have friends that stayed there.

Lots of choices , lol........I love doing the research

 

[riu girl]

Still prefer MEXICO over Cuba but the Club Amigo is good value (for a BUDGET hotel). I think it is listed as a 3 star but I wouldn't rate it over a 2. The water is very calm and the sand WHITE and the rooms are adequate (older but very clean). I enjoy EATING tons of food on holidays and that is where the CLub Amigo scores low points. The food is edible but very limited in choices. Have not heard of anyone getting sick there from the food (not like the DR where I heard a lot about people getting sick at 3 star hotels). The Club Amigo also has recently built bungalows that are much newer and closer to the beach. They might be something to look into.

If considering this hotel, keep in mind that there is extremely limited activities/restaurants outside the hotel (although there are many day trips that the hotel offers but are all priced in US$ and quite pricey).

Riu Girl

 

[TimNDansMom]

Thanks for all the terrific info!

Edited to add: For Amberle3....I heard from my sister this morning and she commented that she had stopped in at another TA yesterday and in talking about various resorts, this TA quoted her $1000 more for the DeCameron than the other TA she had been talking to, previously. She wondered if different agencies have different sales on?? I believe they were both Air Transat holidays. Any comments on Barcelo Bavara Village and Ocean Village?

 

[TimNDansMom]

 

[Sandyincanada]

Yes, they do. We always do all our own research, watch the prices on several of those links given to you above and when I decide when and where I want to go I take the best internet price I can find and call Jet Vacations who always matches it but not all TA's will match the price. Jet is a winnipeg based TA but they are discounters and I'm sure you have those where you are as well. There are great message boards for Mexico, Cuba and the DR if you do a search...tons and tons of info...like this board

 

[Lynda Silk]

Just wanted to add to RIU Girl's comments! I stayed at the RIU Playacar for a week in August and it was fabulous! Right on the ocean, the beach was incredible, the food was delicious and plenty to choose from, the pool was wonderful, the service friendly, pleasant, polite, eager to please and the rooms were very spacious, clean and comfortable! We really didn't have any complaints at all! We went through Sunquest and it was great; everything went off very smoothly and it was so easy and convenient. The people transporting us to the hotel and back to the airport were on time and very nice. It was just so easy! The RIU Playacar is one of the 3 RIU resorts right next to each other; it's a bit smaller than the others but I liked that because there weren't as many crowds and we never had to line up for anything! We could also use the facilities of the other RIU resorts next to us.

Just thought I would share this info!