Vacations

Jade · Guru

RE: Vacations

TV Buff · TOP Guru

God wrote:

Same here I worked 7 years for the Largest Resort Company in Latin America...and yeah it's the cheapest season to go, funny enough is cheaper for people from US,Canada or UK BUT expensive for locals....

Milk and beans are expensive for the locals, let alone tourism. Except for the two families who can actually afford it. But they own the country, so who cares.

God · Foro Master

angelita wrote:

Jaime Cruz wrote:

Ya it should be great. I just hope the weather improves because it's been raining almost everyday this week
Either way we'll make the most of it.

As i recall from when i used to work in the Travel Industry, isin't this RAINY season in the Carribean??

Same here I worked 7 years for the Largest Resort Company in Latin America...and yeah it's the cheapest season to go, funny enough is cheaper for people from US,Canada or UK BUT expensive for locals....

Jaime Cruz · Foro Master

angelita wrote:

Jaime Cruz wrote:

Ya it should be great. I just hope the weather improves because it's been raining almost everyday this week
Either way we'll make the most of it.

As i recall from when i used to work in the Travel Industry, isin't this RAINY season in the Carribean??

Ya it is, but it usually only rains for 10-20 minutes and then clears up.
Hasn't been the case this week though

angelita · Guru

Jaime Cruz wrote:

Ya it should be great. I just hope the weather improves because it's been raining almost everyday this week
Either way we'll make the most of it.

As i recall from when i used to work in the Travel Industry, isin't this RAINY season in the Carribean??

Jaime Cruz · Foro Master

GITANA wrote:

Jaime Cruz wrote:

Hey King Cobra,
I am going to Puerto Plata next Monday the 23rd of October. I'm staying at the Gran Ventana resort in Playa Dorada.

LUCKY YOU... PUERTO PLATA IS BEAUTIFUL!! I WENT THERE A FEW YEARS BACK...I STAYED AT SAND CASTLE HOTEL RIGHT ON SOSUA BEACH... I LOVED IT!! I'M HOPING TO RETURN SOMETIME IN MARCH, ONLY THIS TIME I WON'T BE GOING CLUBBING AND ALL... IT WILL BE MORE OF A FAMILY TRIP

Ya it should be great. I just hope the weather improves because it's been raining almost everyday this week
Either way we'll make the most of it.

GITANA · Guru

Jaime Cruz wrote:

Hey King Cobra,
I am going to Puerto Plata next Monday the 23rd of October. I'm staying at the Gran Ventana resort in Playa Dorada.

LUCKY YOU... PUERTO PLATA IS BEAUTIFUL!! I WENT THERE A FEW YEARS BACK...I STAYED AT SAND CASTLE HOTEL RIGHT ON SOSUA BEACH... I LOVED IT!! I'M HOPING TO RETURN SOMETIME IN MARCH, ONLY THIS TIME I WON'T BE GOING CLUBBING AND ALL... IT WILL BE MORE OF A FAMILY TRIP

king cobra · Senior Member

The clubs vary from hotel to hotel. Where I was staying, the hotspot was like 10 minutes away, by cab. All the resort staff would go there, when they got off at 2am, so it's open pretty late. The club was about 50/50 toursists/locals. Prostitution is a big thing there, and they're on you like flies on doo-doo. Don't think for a second that a local is trying to have a one night stand with you! NOT HAPPENING!!!

Like I said b4, I've been to D.R. 3 times already, and I've never really enjoyed the nightclubs. If you're looking for a good party, in my opinion, you have to go to Mexico. Tequila and drunk white college girls, are the key ingredients to any party

God · Foro Master

king cobra wrote:

I just got back from a great trip to the Dominican Republic, last Sunday. This was my third time there, so nothing too exciting. I stayed at the Bahia Principe, in Punta Cana, and I definitely recommend the resort. Sunquest lists it as a 5 star, but really it's more like a 4.5. It's huuuuuuuuuuuuge and by far the biggest resort I've stayed in. I like the coziness of a smaller resort, but nothing can really compare to something of this size. Because it's so big, there's that much more selection in whatever you wanna do. There were so many restaurants, we didn't even get to go to all of them, and we never really ate the same thing twice. The service was a 10, Dominican people are very genuinely friendly. I've been to alot of places, but I'd have to say Bavaro Beach in Dominican has to be one of the nicest. The only thing that really lacked, was the nightlife. Shows started at like 9, and if you've seen one, then you've seen them all. The nightclub opened at 12 and closed at 2. How wack is that? If you wanted to have fun, you had to go to another resort down the street, and pay for drinks. **** THAT!! I paid close to a G, to be in this place, they better send me drinks in a cab.

Anywayzzzzzz, I really strayed off of my topic, but I just wanted to give a quick description of the resort.

It is my opinion that you can only truly recommend resorts, and not countries. I hear so many people say "OH DOMINICAN IS ****!" or "DON'T GO TO CUBA, THE FOOD SUCKS"! Have these people toured the whole friggin' island??????!?!?!? I hate that! How can someone speak on a whole country, when they stayed in a little 3.5 star hotel. GET REAL!

So, I guess this is a two parter. Give us the heads up on a resort you've been to, good or bad. And secondly, dispell any myths you've heard about these vacation spots ie. "the food in Cuba sucks" or "servers in Mexico are rude".

I figured this might stir up some conversation among the latin population in here!

I agree....Domincan is ..mmm NFG allde pends what part you go but....is NO F Good

Cuba ...it's just Cuba.......

Mexico it's expensive, overrated and the tourism employee are after the tips like sharks.

I was in Nassau few week ago and that's another story the same for St Marteen

TV Buff · TOP Guru

I always, ALWAYS, check this site

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g147237-Caribbean-Vacations.html

before booking any trips anywhere. The best advice will always come from people, regular people, who've been to these places. I even check this site to go to Niagara Falls or anywhere else.

I've never been to the Dominican Republic. I hear that the place is beautiful but people are rude. In Cuba I had a great time, except for the airport, where we were shamefully harassed. My (biased) favourite spot is Nicaragua, though, the Barcelo Montelimar resort, but like I said, I'm biased 'cause I'm from there, and when we go, we get to see friends and family as well, plus we know where to go outside of the resort. I'd love to go to South America, particularly Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brasil and Chile.

-- Edited by TV Buff at 13:38, 2006-10-18

Jaime Cruz · Foro Master

king cobra wrote:

I didn't go on any excursions this time, but I have in the past. Talk to your tour director. If you go with any major company, they have one on site. Book your excursions through them and no one else. There are alot of people out to rip you off down there. Get the heads up from them.

As far as clubs go, if the club in your hotel sucks, the best bet is to go to a club in another hotel. I've also heard that clubs on the strip aren't very safe. Just ask around, ask your tour director, and they'll tell you. If you take a taxi to another resort, with a good club, you'll be more than safe.

Enjoy your trip!!

Ya, but what about the times for the clubs? Are they all open from 12am to 2am or are the times better at the other hotel clubs?

king cobra · Senior Member

I didn't go on any excursions this time, but I have in the past. Talk to your tour director. If you go with any major company, they have one on site. Book your excursions through them and no one else. There are alot of people out to rip you off down there. Get the heads up from them.

As far as clubs go, if the club in your hotel sucks, the best bet is to go to a club in another hotel. I've also heard that clubs on the strip aren't very safe. Just ask around, ask your tour director, and they'll tell you. If you take a taxi to another resort, with a good club, you'll be more than safe.

Enjoy your trip!!

Jaime Cruz · Foro Master

king cobra wrote:

I just got back from a great trip to the Dominican Republic, last Sunday. This was my third time there, so nothing too exciting. I stayed at the Bahia Principe, in Punta Cana, and I definitely recommend the resort. Sunquest lists it as a 5 star, but really it's more like a 4.5. It's huuuuuuuuuuuuge and by far the biggest resort I've stayed in. I like the coziness of a smaller resort, but nothing can really compare to something of this size. Because it's so big, there's that much more selection in whatever you wanna do. There were so many restaurants, we didn't even get to go to all of them, and we never really ate the same thing twice. The service was a 10, Dominican people are very genuinely friendly. I've been to alot of places, but I'd have to say Bavaro Beach in Dominican has to be one of the nicest. The only thing that really lacked, was the nightlife. Shows started at like 9, and if you've seen one, then you've seen them all. The nightclub opened at 12 and closed at 2. How wack is that? If you wanted to have fun, you had to go to another resort down the street, and pay for drinks. **** THAT!! I paid close to a G, to be in this place, they better send me drinks in a cab.

Anywayzzzzzz, I really strayed off of my topic, but I just wanted to give a quick description of the resort.

It is my opinion that you can only truly recommend resorts, and not countries. I hear so many people say "OH DOMINICAN IS ****!" or "DON'T GO TO CUBA, THE FOOD SUCKS"! Have these people toured the whole friggin' island??????!?!?!? I hate that! How can someone speak on a whole country, when they stayed in a little 3.5 star hotel. GET REAL!

So, I guess this is a two parter. Give us the heads up on a resort you've been to, good or bad. And secondly, dispell any myths you've heard about these vacation spots ie. "the food in Cuba sucks" or "servers in Mexico are rude".

I figured this might stir up some conversation among the latin population in here!

Hey King Cobra,
I am going to Puerto Plata next Monday the 23rd of October. I'm staying at the Gran Ventana resort in Playa Dorada.
I'm concerned about the night life, because I heard there are restrictions but 2 hours from 12am to 2am sounds crazy
Did this apply to all clubs on the strip? This will be my first time in Puerto Plata and I hear the beach at our hotel is great because they added white sand, but how safe is it to go out at night?
I hear conflicting replies from clients. Some say it's safe, and some say just stay at the resort at night.
Can you please fill me in, and if you did any excursions while you were there can you let me know if any of them are worth it?

PRINCESSA · TOP Guru

I've been to both Dominican & Cuba had good times in both places, in nice hotels, did a bit of the tourist thingys, but I still didn't LOVE it, it was alright. Nice ppl., no biggy.

DANNY · Guru

ill pick puerto rico over all of the rest

maybe one day

king cobra · Senior Member

I just got back from a great trip to the Dominican Republic, last Sunday. This was my third time there, so nothing too exciting. I stayed at the Bahia Principe, in Punta Cana, and I definitely recommend the resort. Sunquest lists it as a 5 star, but really it's more like a 4.5. It's huuuuuuuuuuuuge and by far the biggest resort I've stayed in. I like the coziness of a smaller resort, but nothing can really compare to something of this size. Because it's so big, there's that much more selection in whatever you wanna do. There were so many restaurants, we didn't even get to go to all of them, and we never really ate the same thing twice. The service was a 10, Dominican people are very genuinely friendly. I've been to alot of places, but I'd have to say Bavaro Beach in Dominican has to be one of the nicest. The only thing that really lacked, was the nightlife. Shows started at like 9, and if you've seen one, then you've seen them all. The nightclub opened at 12 and closed at 2. How wack is that? If you wanted to have fun, you had to go to another resort down the street, and pay for drinks. **** THAT!! I paid close to a G, to be in this place, they better send me drinks in a cab.

Anywayzzzzzz, I really strayed off of my topic, but I just wanted to give a quick description of the resort.

It is my opinion that you can only truly recommend resorts, and not countries. I hear so many people say "OH DOMINICAN IS ****!" or "DON'T GO TO CUBA, THE FOOD SUCKS"! Have these people toured the whole friggin' island??????!?!?!? I hate that! How can someone speak on a whole country, when they stayed in a little 3.5 star hotel. GET REAL!

So, I guess this is a two parter. Give us the heads up on a resort you've been to, good or bad. And secondly, dispell any myths you've heard about these vacation spots ie. "the food in Cuba sucks" or "servers in Mexico are rude".

I figured this might stir up some conversation among the latin population in here!