Booked for Punta Cana D.R.

[jetpack]

Headed to a resort for a week. Anyone been there lately?

[Milton]

Yes.

What would you like to know?

[jetpack]

I was there like 15 years ago. Just wondering if it's changed much. How bad is crime... Any typical scams going on? I'll mostly be on a resort, but, I like to be prepared.

[Milton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetpack I was there like 15 years ago. Just wondering if it's changed much. How bad is crime... Any typical scams going on? I'll mostly be on a resort, but, I like to be prepared.

Punta Cana has many more resort developments than 15 years ago, but otherwise I doubt that you'll find that much has changed.

Tourists in that region are almost exclusively American, so if you are one you'll have plenty of your fellow countrymen as fellow guests.

The great majority of the resorts are to all intents and purposes crime-free.

Off the resorts there are indeed some scams run on tourists, but violence is relatively rare. As long as you use common sense you should be just fine. Don't flash money around, don't get involved in prostitution or drugs, don't wander around by yourself in the middle of the night, etc. As I say this is just common sense, and also applies to behaviour back home.

There's a lot to like about the D.R.: friendly people, nice climate, beautiful beaches (I prefer the south coast), lots to see and do. Have a good vacation!

[HFWR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milton Punta Cana has many more resort developments than 15 years ago, but otherwise I doubt that you'll find that much has changed. Tourists in that region are almost exclusively American, so if you are one you'll have plenty of your fellow countrymen as fellow guests. The great majority of the resorts are to all intents and purposes crime-free. Off the resorts there are indeed some scams run on tourists, but violence is relatively rare. As long as you use common sense you should be just fine. Don't flash money around, don't get involved in prostitution or drugs, don't wander around by yourself in the middle of the night, etc. As I say this is just common sense, and also applies to behaviour back home. There's a lot to like about the D.R.: friendly people, nice climate, beautiful beaches (I prefer the south coast), lots to see and do. Have a good vacation!

Dang, there went my vacation...

[Surfdaddy]

We don't find that most tourists are Americans. We see more Europeans and Canadians than people from the US, although that will probably continue to change.

[Surfdaddy]

...and by the way, we consider that a good thing. It's nice to see a mix. We went to Cabo once at it seemed to be the fat beer swilling WalMart crowd.

[JPatrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfdaddy . We went to Cabo once at it seemed to be the fat beer swilling WalMart crowd.

So that's where my neighbors were..

[HFWR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPatrick So that's where my neighbors were..

I'm your neighbor?

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPatrick So that's where my neighbors were..

I thought they were all on the Carnival cruise ship out of Galveston...

[jetpack]

Well, just wanted to follow up. Had a great time, weather perfect. Resort was pretty wonderful. Overall, no problems. I was a worried before my trip, because, it was almost too cheap on such short notice, all inclusive resort was like $60 a night + my airfare. Ended up getting upgraded to the nicest part of the resort, nice room, ocean and pool view, 100 yards from beach, in room wifi, premium bars, restaurants & lobby... And surfdaddy was right, mostly non Americans. Met germans, canadians, russians, swiss, luxemburgians... and a few americans. Anyway, not much had changed since my last time there, except the main roads were a lot nicer.

[Surfdaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetpack Well, just wanted to follow up. Had a great time, weather perfect. Resort was pretty wonderful. Overall, no problems. I was a worried before my trip, because, it was almost too cheap on such short notice, all inclusive resort was like $60 a night + my airfare. Ended up getting upgraded to the nicest part of the resort, nice room, ocean and pool view, 100 yards from beach, in room wifi, premium bars, restaurants & lobby... And surfdaddy was right, mostly non Americans. Met germans, canadians, russians, swiss, luxemburgians... and a few americans. Anyway, not much had changed since my last time there, except the main roads were a lot nicer.

I like the change of pace from the US. Lots of topless women and thong bathing suits. Not that I noticed, of course.

[ohyes]

Jetpack,

How did you book your AI? Did you use a travel agent or go through a website?
DH and I have wanted to try an AI vacation for years, but I find the choices a bit overwhelming. Your advice is appreciated. TIA.

[Surfdaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohyes Jetpack, How did you book your AI? Did you use a travel agent or go through a website? DH and I have wanted to try an AI vacation for years, but I find the choices a bit overwhelming. Your advice is appreciated. TIA.

Jumping in here, we've booked AIs through Costco, Apple Vacations, and CheapCaribbean.com. Happy with all of them.

[jetpack]

I usually just book through Expedia. The reviews are quite helpful. It's amazing how much the prices can go up down though. December is my favorite inexpensive time to go, I think the price of my same trip is triple in January.

The only problem I've ever had with them is on the ground transportation, and so I usually just get a taxi instead.

[ohyes]

Thanks, Surf and Jetpack. Your feedback is helpful.

DH and i have wanted to take an AI vacation for years. I am the vacation planner, and I think i get hung up with deciding on a great place at a great price and coordinating the flights. You guys did this. I can, too...and will. The first time booking an AI is surely the scariest.

Thanks again.

[Surfdaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohyes Thanks, Surf and Jetpack. Your feedback is helpful. DH and i have wanted to take an AI vacation for years. I am the vacation planner, and I think i get hung up with deciding on a great place at a great price and coordinating the flights. You guys did this. I can, too...and will. The first time booking an AI is surely the scariest. Thanks again.

I've found that by far the most valuable site for research is tripadvisor. You can see the rankings of the hotels and read reviews, see pictures, etc. We pretty much knew what we were going to be getting before we went, even though it was a foreign country where we had never been. Combine that with one of the booking options that I mentioned earlier, all who offer or include transportation, and the experience is pretty painless.