I am about to return to the Dominican Republic for the 5th year in a row for my winter vacation. I thought I'd share a few of the photos I've taken over the last 4 years that are a large part of the reason I want to keep coming back. The weather of course is another... I live in a COLD part of Canada!
Our first trip was in 2009 and my then newish boyfriend and I were looking for a place neither of us had been to before, was Spanish speaking, big enough to drive around in and explore and was affordable. We stumbled upon a fantastic 2 week all-inclusive deal to the Luperon Beach Resort out of Toronto for only $537 CAD each and needless to say, grabbed it! It was a great base for us as we got a car in Puerto Plata the day after we arrived and over the next two weeks, we ended up seeing quite a bit of the western part of the north coast and Santiago, and in doing so, fell in love with the country!
Our second trip was to Punta Cana because we had a nonstop flight there from our small city and managed to hit a seat sale for $99 each way! I had 3 weeks that year and we rented our first condo together - my boyfriends usual way of traveling. It was an awkward location near the old La Marqueta (sp?) Supermercado, but we had a great time and on that trip went to Santo Domingo, through the mountains to Miches and back along the coast and got to know Higuey quite well.
Since then we have continued to return to Punta Cana and found better locations to stay at. Last year and this year I have a month and I can't wait to get there February 1! My boyfriend stayed almost 2 months last year and this year will be staying 2 1/2 months. He arrived last week and says the weather, water, Presidente and Brugal are all just fine and waiting for me to arrive! We plan to drive up to Cabarete/Sousa area for a week to 10 days to try that for a change, then head to Jarabacoa for a couple more days and then back to Punta Cana for my last two weeks. Anyone got a recommendation for an apartment or condo in or near Cabarete? Please PM me if you do!
These first few were taken in and around the Luperon area.
I ate some of that... was excellent!
It amazes me how even the humblest homes are spotless.
This then 12 year old, fixed our flat tire at his dads business. Dad was out when we pulled up but arrived before his son was done and inspected the work and gave it a thumbs up. We paid the boy double what he asked for for good fast work and the dad told him to keep it as he had earned it! We were really happy about that. We had 3 flats that trip and two of them were fixed there.
Cows on the road: a new experience for me. I'm used to moose, deer and bear. LOL
A gorgeous property between Luperon and La Isabella and below the 'road' to get there.
Our first trip was in 2009 and my then newish boyfriend and I were looking for a place neither of us had been to before, was Spanish speaking, big enough to drive around in and explore and was affordable. We stumbled upon a fantastic 2 week all-inclusive deal to the Luperon Beach Resort out of Toronto for only $537 CAD each and needless to say, grabbed it! It was a great base for us as we got a car in Puerto Plata the day after we arrived and over the next two weeks, we ended up seeing quite a bit of the western part of the north coast and Santiago, and in doing so, fell in love with the country!
Our second trip was to Punta Cana because we had a nonstop flight there from our small city and managed to hit a seat sale for $99 each way! I had 3 weeks that year and we rented our first condo together - my boyfriends usual way of traveling. It was an awkward location near the old La Marqueta (sp?) Supermercado, but we had a great time and on that trip went to Santo Domingo, through the mountains to Miches and back along the coast and got to know Higuey quite well.
Since then we have continued to return to Punta Cana and found better locations to stay at. Last year and this year I have a month and I can't wait to get there February 1! My boyfriend stayed almost 2 months last year and this year will be staying 2 1/2 months. He arrived last week and says the weather, water, Presidente and Brugal are all just fine and waiting for me to arrive! We plan to drive up to Cabarete/Sousa area for a week to 10 days to try that for a change, then head to Jarabacoa for a couple more days and then back to Punta Cana for my last two weeks. Anyone got a recommendation for an apartment or condo in or near Cabarete? Please PM me if you do!
These first few were taken in and around the Luperon area.
I ate some of that... was excellent!
It amazes me how even the humblest homes are spotless.
This then 12 year old, fixed our flat tire at his dads business. Dad was out when we pulled up but arrived before his son was done and inspected the work and gave it a thumbs up. We paid the boy double what he asked for for good fast work and the dad told him to keep it as he had earned it! We were really happy about that. We had 3 flats that trip and two of them were fixed there.
Cows on the road: a new experience for me. I'm used to moose, deer and bear. LOL
A gorgeous property between Luperon and La Isabella and below the 'road' to get there.