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Dominican Republic
Just wondering if anyone had been there and if you have what was it like?
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I took my first trip to the Caribbean there, some 15-20 years ago. Stayed on a B&B basis, even then I could see those in control of the tourist industry on the island were keen to develop all inclusive resorts.
During my stay I gate-crashed an all inclusive resort complex, and was treated to free drinks, with the staff thinking I was a guest. The activities at the all inclusive resort mostly revolved around the guests taking part in drinking competitions � back then the locals did not know that most Europeans do not require any encouragement to get inebriated.
I did look at going back there a few years ago � and noted that most packages were all inclusive, which is a shame, tourists don�t get to see the real country � and locals are excluded from making any money from the tourist industry, other than low paid jobs for multinationals, or robbing tourists who venture from their resort.
During my stay I gate-crashed an all inclusive resort complex, and was treated to free drinks, with the staff thinking I was a guest. The activities at the all inclusive resort mostly revolved around the guests taking part in drinking competitions � back then the locals did not know that most Europeans do not require any encouragement to get inebriated.
I did look at going back there a few years ago � and noted that most packages were all inclusive, which is a shame, tourists don�t get to see the real country � and locals are excluded from making any money from the tourist industry, other than low paid jobs for multinationals, or robbing tourists who venture from their resort.
I have been twice and loved it. Once for 2 weeks in March. Sea was beautiful and the weather was great. I was a bit dubious as the all inclusive resort i stayed at supplied you with the teely remote, beach towels and an umberella at check in. We had a torrential downpour every day but it literally lasted for 5-10 mins. Then glorious sunshine. 2nd time was in november, More rain than in march but still mostly great weather. plus when it rained we just stayed in the pool bar and drank seeing as we were wet any way. If you are all inc, i strongly sugest going off the complex in the evening and mixing with the localks. I found them friendlky (but not overly), and a great laugh. Enjoy.
Sure... many times. You'll enjoy it unless you choose to go during the hurricane season (July to November) with the most likely occurrence in late August to mid-September. It's a toss up as to the severity or liklihood.
Climate is generally what you'd expect in a tropical to sub-tropical area. Warmish in the summer months but not unbearable. Averaging, probably mid to higher 80's (F) and at night diving all the way to mid 70's. It's much cooler an pleasant in the central mountain range areas. Fall and winter months are very pleasant with much less humidity... maybe mid 70's in the day. Rainy season can be during perhaps mid-March to early June. The rain can come in torrential downpours that last only a few minutes, though.
You have to get used to the Dominican's way of life. Very laid back, no stress, no hurry, very man'ana... This is good for a vacation, but you need to get used to their habit of telling you what they think you want to hear just to avoid any conflicts, no matter how minor.
Roads are terrible.
Food is great, especially any style of pork. Plantains are excellent and prepared in a variety of ways. As with any second or third world country, drink only bottled water. Watch for small, brightly colored Purperia's... their grocery stores. Everyone congregates there to visit... very friendly and a good place to pick up some fresh fruit (wash it or peel it or both). For La Bandera Dominicana (literally, the flag or dinner) be sure to ask for Sancocho at any good restaurant... it's a pork/chicken/beef dish that incorporates a lot of different veggies and, of course, plantains. It's delicious... always served with a large, very fresh salad... Margaritas are great!
The music is very rythmic, performed by a variety of Merengueros.... you hear it all the time. A mix of Latin, African and Caribbean influence...
Go, see,
Climate is generally what you'd expect in a tropical to sub-tropical area. Warmish in the summer months but not unbearable. Averaging, probably mid to higher 80's (F) and at night diving all the way to mid 70's. It's much cooler an pleasant in the central mountain range areas. Fall and winter months are very pleasant with much less humidity... maybe mid 70's in the day. Rainy season can be during perhaps mid-March to early June. The rain can come in torrential downpours that last only a few minutes, though.
You have to get used to the Dominican's way of life. Very laid back, no stress, no hurry, very man'ana... This is good for a vacation, but you need to get used to their habit of telling you what they think you want to hear just to avoid any conflicts, no matter how minor.
Roads are terrible.
Food is great, especially any style of pork. Plantains are excellent and prepared in a variety of ways. As with any second or third world country, drink only bottled water. Watch for small, brightly colored Purperia's... their grocery stores. Everyone congregates there to visit... very friendly and a good place to pick up some fresh fruit (wash it or peel it or both). For La Bandera Dominicana (literally, the flag or dinner) be sure to ask for Sancocho at any good restaurant... it's a pork/chicken/beef dish that incorporates a lot of different veggies and, of course, plantains. It's delicious... always served with a large, very fresh salad... Margaritas are great!
The music is very rythmic, performed by a variety of Merengueros.... you hear it all the time. A mix of Latin, African and Caribbean influence...
Go, see,
We went there this may on honeymoon its very nice but the hotel room was a bit crap we had to pay �300 on top off the �1600 that we payed for 2 weeks fully inclusive to even get a half decent room but we had a good time there anyway and I would reccomend it but try and check the hotels out first.
But saying that we eventually got a room that was not to bad and we were on the ground floor and opened up the patio doors and 30 yards to the left of us was the biggest swimming pool you have ever seen and straight ahead of us about 50 yards was the white sands and the blue sea off the carribean and to the right was one off the all inclusive bars and a la carte restaurants.
Oh paradise.
But saying that we eventually got a room that was not to bad and we were on the ground floor and opened up the patio doors and 30 yards to the left of us was the biggest swimming pool you have ever seen and straight ahead of us about 50 yards was the white sands and the blue sea off the carribean and to the right was one off the all inclusive bars and a la carte restaurants.
Oh paradise.
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