Punta Cana-advice needed

Hard2Leigh · Feb 5, 2004

A kind soul on Lonley Planet's Thorn Tree referred me here, and I hope you can help...
I consider myself to be a bit of an adventure traveler, but others in my family are much more reserved in their ideas of a fun vacation. For our upcoming (mid-Feb) family-reunion type vacation they have booked us into the Iberostar Dominicana in Punta Cana. I would have preferred a tent or small local hotel, but that's probably why they don't let me pick.
My questions are:
1. Can anyone suggest good/ local restaurants in any towns near the resort? (expat hangouts are welcome) I'm scared of the prospect of dining on all-inclusive buffet fare for a week!
2. Aside from the standard tourist trap shopping areas, is there anywhere in that area I might go to find more quality/ authentic merchandise?
3. Any suggestions for interesting things to do in the area?
Any replies will be much appreciated!

Chirimoya · Feb 5, 2004

I sympathise. Although Punta Cana is very nice in many ways, it is certainly not what the adventurous independent traveller is after.

If you can bear the AI comforts and the lovely beach for part of the time and balance it with some independent excursions you should be able to please yourself and your travel companions.

Nearest to PC you will find Higuey. Not a particularly picturesque town but typically Dominican in many ways. If you don't manage to travel any further at least you will get an impression of what Dominican life is like. Higuey is important as a centre for Catholic pilgrims and is dominated by a concrete basilica. On the way to Higuey from Punta Cana you will go through a village called La Otra Banda - now this is really photogenic with attractive traditional wooden houses painted in bright colours.

North of Higuey: you might want to explore Miches - I hear the beaches there are wild and beautiful, and there is some budget accommodation in the area. Sabana de la Mar and Los Haitises National Park are also within reach. South of Higuey it is a shortish distance to Boca de Yuma, a fishing village, and further west there is Bayahibe which is also surrounded by resorts but the village is quite funky with a balance of a Dominican, expat and tourist scene.

For Punta Cana local information about transport, restaurants and shopping do a search, there has been extensive detail recently courtesy of our man in the area, PJT.

Further afield, depending on how much time you have, there are many other places to visit in the rest of the country. Take your pick. Again, there have been several threads on the DR1 message boards about the must-sees in the Dominican Republic, as well as the information pages in the rest of this site.

Buen viaje

Chiri

simpson Homer · Feb 5, 2004

Places to go in Punta Cana

**Casino Paradisus Punta Cana
**Mangu Disco "Hotel Falmenco"
**Areito Club HOdelpa Hotels.

Gentleman Clubs

**La Punta
**Pachi Pachi

Local places to go.

Cortecito town, Plaza Bavaro.
Captain Cook "Cortecito"
Restaurant "Cortecito"
Solo Pollo restaurant "Plaza Brizas"
Grill Argentinian Restaurant " Restaurant Argentino Puerto Bavaro"

Local Hotel Cortecito Inn

Cool excursion.
Saona Catamalan going to Saona Island

take care

Dolores1 · Feb 5, 2004

See http://dr1.com/travel/puntacana/

Everything is spread out in the Punta Cana area. You will need lots of time to visit places that have been suggested.

You may also consider going west to La Romana, a two hour drive. See http://dr1.com/travel/laromana/

You would need to rent a car and leave early to make the most of the day. Driving at night is not recommended as most of these roads are not lit at night.

Next time, fly into Puerto Plata (north coast) which is better for the free spirited adventure traveler.

PJT · Feb 5, 2004

Here are some offerings:

1.) Restaurants: "Messon Espanol" or "Messon Rosio", is located in Plaza Brises de Bavaro. It specializes in Spanish cuisine, prices are moderate, plenty of wines to choose from. Formal place-settings, open evenings, good food, clean. "O Sole Mio", located at the Veron crossroads near the police station and the Shell station. It specializes in Italian cuisine, prices are moderate, plenty of wine and attention, open evenings, semi-formal, good food, clean. Restaurante "BIJH20", pronounced Bi ji hagua, is located on the Bavaro beachfront, great waterview, sandwiched between Barcelo's Resort/Convention Center and Barcelo's Villas Bavaro Resorts. It specializes on Dominican favorites, plenty of Presidente, good Dominican food, cheap, and clean, open daily until 5 pm.

2.) You will find authentic merchandise in Higuey, 35 miles distant from the resort. Go to the open market area, there are plenty of shops for the day to day needs of the residents and plenty bargains for the tourist. Be prepared for culture shock, don't wear sandles or dress shoes. Bargain down your prices, don't pay tourist prices. Do the merchants a favor and buy in dollars.

3.) A good day trip from the Bavaro area, is to Altos de Chavon in La Romana, the amphitheater is a must to see. A suggested route to the area from Bavaro is through the Central Romana sugar cane fields. There is a harvest going on now, many great photo opportunities.

Regards, PJT

eastwest · Feb 7, 2004

PJT,

Do you know of any day sails, charters, etc in the Bavaro area?
Also, I ran across another thread asking for donations for
local children- is there a place to drop stuff off nearby?

-Ty

Hard2Leigh · Feb 17, 2004

Thanks and some thoughts for those who follow

First, thanks to all for the responses... my week in Punta Cana was wonderful, despite (or perhaps I should better say, even with...) the AI experience.

I managed to escape to Higuey, La Romana and Altos de Chavon, and even included a drive through the sugar cane fields. PJT was absolutely correct... seeing the harvest first-hand was great (some of the workers shared some of the newly cut sugar cane with us, which was a treat). I did not have an opportunity to have a meal at Altos de Chavon, but the restaurants all looked lovely, smelled wonderful, and had menus outside. We actually found our way to a boat ride/ luncheon on the Chavon that had surprisingly good food, and was a very relaxing way to spend an hour or so.

For others headed to the Punta Cana resorts.... DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE THE RESORTS AND EXPLORE. We dined at a few of the restaurants at the Plaza Brises de Bavaro and found all to be friendly and with much better food than what we were served at the AI (and for WAY less than the $45/head charged by some of the tourist restaurants).

That said, a few parting thoughts.... Even if you aren't willing to leave the resort, at least talk to the staff and get to know some of them while you're there. I learned a great deal from talking to the cleaning staff and waiters and waitresses, even if my Spanish leaves a bit to be desired (and American visitors would do well to realize that not all of the staff will speak English fluently... it's the DR, not the US, so adapt and be cheerful about it). Also, I understand that AI in theory includes tips, but I strongly suggest taking a stack of $1US and tipping those who provide good service. You'll find the staff extremely appreciative and if you can afford the stay at the resort you can afford a few extra dollars a day for those bending over backwards to make your stay better.

Many thanks once again, and happy, safe and healthy travels to those heading to the DR! :classic:

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