Dom Republic - photos, experiences ?

I stayed in Costa Dorada, what hotle are you going to? To be honest, it probably isn't wise to go out of the complex unless you aregoing on an organised tour/trip. The only 2 things I'd recommend doing is going to paradise island, it;s a bit of a trek, but we loved it, you get to go snorkling and the fish will feed from your hand. The other thing was going on one of the big monster truck type day trips, that was good too. Take crayons/paper/sweets for the kids though, they'll love you then!

Hiya

We got married in the DR, we stayed at the Iberostar in Costa Dorada.

Like Ruth said the paradise island was a good trip, probably the best one I went on.

I can't remember the name but we went on one where we were on a bus, and we went into the wilds of DR, went horse riding, then climbed up waterfalls and back down them, that was great fun!

Monster trucks were good too. Tip, if you go on any of the trips, take some pens, paper, sweets for the children, they will be really grateful.

I love DR and would love to go back one day, enjoy!

Thats where we stayed too!

The beach outside the Vantana.

Paradise island. the water is crystal clear and it was a nice day out. We went by first by boat and then speed boat.

We loved it in the Dom rep so much we went three times! If you want to get out your hotel for a bit, you can go to the Plaza. There are a couple of bars, incuding Phil's bar which is tiny but they show all the football (if you need to watch it).

I've been to the Dominican Republic twice and I love it - would go back tomorrow if I could!

The first time we stayed at the Iberostar Costa Dorada and cannot recommend it highly enough.

The second time we stayed at the Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus and was just as good if not better! Although this is at Bayahibe so a different part of the island.

I'm at work so unfortunately I haven't got my holiday photos on the computer but if you go to Trip Advisor there's usually good photos on there that people have taken.

We went in June for our honeymoon and absolutely loved it.

We stayed at the Riu Mambo in Peurto Plata and it was wonderful. Only my 2nd package holiday so I was a little hesitant, and I wanted to go to Cape Verde but dh didn't fancy it - but so glad we went to Dom Rep. Really beautiful place.

As we took our 3yr old dd with us, we decided that we didn't want to take her on any trips due to the heat etc so just stayed in the resort and still had a ball!

My bil & sil went to the Iberostar Costa Dorada in March and had a great stay.

We have been twice. The last time we stayed in the Victoria Golf and Beach Resort in Peurta Plata. We cannot fault it and we are def going back for a third visit. We went to Paradise Island which was fantastic. Snorkeling and a big barbeque. We also did the safari trip and the dolphin world, both times. Domincan Rep is a poor country and hence why it is best to stay in the resort and some people get a shock at some of the run down parts of the island. You can go out and see the real Domnican Rep and speak to local people on trips like the Safari and see how the local people live. But they are so hospitable, friendly and cannot do enough for you.

I would def recommend going!!

We went to Blue Bay villas in Puerto Plata in July past, it was amazing! What hotel are you going to?

Have a look on this forum, lots of excellent advice on here... https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g147290-i64-Puerto_Plata_Puerto_Plata_Province_Dominican_Republic.html

We went on honeymoon, it was a last minute thing as we had booked to go to cancun and a hurricane hit and that was that !!!!

We married on the saturday and were due to fly on the Monday, spent all day at travel agents trying to sort out a new destination. Were offered the occidental flamenco at puerto plata and took it. Please don't book a break there. Dom rep is very hot as soon as you get off the flight and the hotel we got was awful. ~Arrived very late to a bloody awful room with no air con and bugs everywhere. The sheets and bed linen was also dirty. Spent all of our first day trying to see our rep who was amazing and by tea time he got us moved to the Gran Ventana which is amazing and where our honeymoon started properly

Amazing room, fab staff, great food and drink and just a fab time;. Domincan is very poor and a complete shock if you are not prepared for it, we did a monster truck day which was great and gave you a good insight into their real world. Be prepared for poverty like you have never seen and a tourist tax both in and out of the airport.

If you want a holiday by a pool with a bit of beach, good rum, all inclusive then great.

If you want to explore a new country and its culture then its not for you.

Airport tried to charge us extra for leaving - we didn't buy anything and they wanted another 100 US dollars to leave (cash) - because of bag weight. I started to unpack all of our dirty washing and leave it at check in and suddenly the extra money was waived for us.

We had a good honeymoon but wouldn't go back - but i also know people that go back year on year. I found it hard not be be able to leave a complex area that was patrolled by armed guards.

Mxx

This is a photo I took on the Paradise Island trip - the best part of the holiday

We were there in August last year and stayed in Luperon. I probably wouldn't recommend the hotel and we were there for 2 weeks - I think 7/10 days would be long enough. but I think it was only 3*. There was a hurricane close by (which obv. can't be predicted)

We went on a trip to ocean world (or the equivalent) which was good too. I got bored staying in the resort but I guess it depends on the hotel etc.

(and we made our twin girls whilst there - now 5 months old!)

We stayed in the Riu Mambo last December 6th to 23rd , i would go back , the only thing i didnt like was for the last few days a lot of chavvy families turned up for xmas , u know the type because its AI they eat and drink like its going out of fashion so it put a bit of a dampner on the atmospehere there but the hotel were not at fault

i spent most the time sleeping , reading and relaxing as i was exhausted so we didnt do any trips at all , we were tempted but there was no real need to leave the complex it had everything we wanted , entertainment was ok but it depends on what type of hol your after , place was spotless and i mean spotless rooms were cleaned every day so were the pools and food was gr8 fresh and hot with different themes every night . u could also use the other 2 hotels on the complex if u wanted to , we used to walk all long the beach every day and call back in the swim up bar at the bachata for a drink before we walked back

it was lovely and hot , the worst bit was coming back to freezing cold weather in the UK

i would def go back there if i can find the time to go away but i would take smirnoff as the vodka was rubbish.

Thanks everyone !!! I had forgotten I started this thread !! pics are fab , I can't wait

Just got back from Dom Rep, stayed on Cayo Levantado an island off the coast from Samana on the north east. it was amazing, the best holiday of my life! the hotel had the island to its self, completely all inclusive mini bar and room service all part of the package. absolutely beautiful, i would reccommend the hotel to anyone going there, the staff are lovely, the grounds are well kept and the beaches are lovely, loads to do, snorkeling, speed boats, trips on the mainland, or if you want to chill out more there are 3 pools and are all very calm an relaxing. kids are allowed but it is aimed more at couples of a range of ages, dont go there if you want a night out on the tiles though as it has limited evening entertainment. but by far my favourite holiday and the only reason i wouldnt go back is i wouldnt want to be disapointed if it wasnt as good next time around!