I just got back from a horror filled trip to the Dominican Republic.
My sister and her fianc? were traveling from Ireland to Bavaro to stay at the Iberostar Dominican resort. She is a travel agent for Thomas Cook in Dublin and the trip was for pleasure and also for research. She goes on a lot of trips to places so that when she sells them, she can give a first hand experience to her prospective clients.
I live in the U.S and had some time to spare so I decided to go to the DR for a few days R&R but primarily to see my sister who I had not seen in almost a year. The plan was to spend a night in Santo Domingo, then drive to Bavaro to pick up my sister and fianc?, then head back to Santo Domingo to do some sight seeing. We would then go back to Bavaro for a more relaxed time before going home.
I flew into Santo Domingo and stayed at the Jaragua Hotel. The trip from the airport to the hotel was the start of a nightmare that lasted for several days. I drove a rental at dusk on the highway from hell where people walk out in front of oncoming traffic at an alarming rate. There were no identifying lanes and it was generally a free for all with no observed speed limit. I passed through what can only be described as a 30-minute construction zone all the way to Santo Domingo. Upon arrival in Santo Domingo, I realized the city was not much better. In fact it can only be described as a slum. I passed through some of the most depressing areas I have ever seen where homes are simply concrete shacks and the roads and traffic were unbelievable. Adults and children alike roamed the streets in oncoming traffic and the number of motorcycles criss crossing in front of traffic was astounding. No signals and no lights on most of the motorcycles. It was a relief to reach the hotel.
The hotel was typical of most Marriott owned properties and from what I can tell; it is the premier hotel in Santo Domingo. It is right on the Malecon with a beautiful view of the ocean. After checking in I decided to wander up the Malecon to see if I could find a restaurant. Instead all I could find were people trying to offer their "services" or generally try to get some money from me. I quickly returned to the safety hotel where I spent the rest of the evening.
The next day I had to drive to Bavaro to pick up my sister. It is and approx three hour drive. I was looking forward to the drive, as I would get to see a good portion of the country. The route was to take me through Boca Chica, San Pedro De Marcoris, La Romana, Higuey then Bavaro.
From Santo Domingo to San Pedro, most of the road was highway. The exception being Boca Chica. The highway passed through a gritty section, which is not unusual with any highway in the world. From Boca to San Pedro the highway was beautiful modern roadway. Upon arrival in San Pedro, I passed through the center of town but quickly realized it was a mistake. It was an unbelievably poor town with no functioning traffic signals and everything was run down. People and traffic merged into one big mess and it took me quite a time to pass through. I was horrified I might hit one of the wandering children walking or cutting through traffic on a motorcycle. I saw many horrifying near accidents with as many as 5 people (Adults and children) on one motorbike. The town limits could not come quickly enough.
Next town up was La Romana and along the way I passed a couple of dead donkeys roadside and many other people with guns strapped to their backs on motorcycles. La Romana was my first run in with guys in Green Uniforms with I could only assume were some sort of Police. My Spanish being limited, I have no idea why I was singled out from traffic. I was stopped turning at a green light while moving with the traffic. The end result was a bizarre interaction with two uniformed individuals that cost me $10 (US) and no ticket. I continued on my although I was shaken a little after being shaken down for money. The rest of the trip was uneventful thankfully, and the scenery was beautiful. The towns did improve a little but Higuey was a bit scary. There was an election going on and I had people stop in front of my car waving banners in my window. It was a bit nerve wracking but I did what everyone else did. I just kept driving through the crowds.
After three hours I reached the Iberostar Domincana on Bavaro beach. It was a beautiful location and had everything onsite. No need to leave the resort. After 6 days, my sister and fianc? was somewhat bored and looking forward to seeing some more of the country.
The trip back to Santo Domingo was just as nerve wracking as the original trip out and it was highlighted by two more run ins with the Men In Green. Another $5 and then just as we crossed the bridge back into Santo Domingo and got off the highway, we had another run in. Again stopped for no apparent reason. The end result was I was threatened with jail and hand cuffs if I did not hand over $100 (US) dollars. My sister was in near tears in the car and the only way this asshole was going to let us go was if we handed over the money. In no way did I ever let him know how much money I was carrying. I had purposefully only carried small denominations after the first experience and hid the rest. But this guy would not let us go without paying up. He was rude and I hope he chokes on the food he buys with the money he extorted from us.
We made it back to the hotel where we spent the rest of the evening. My sister was too distraught to leave the safely of the hotel that evening.
The next morning we decided to go to the Colonial Zone to see the town and do some shopping. It was a beautiful day so we decided to walk the Malecon. What a bad decision. From the moment we left the gate of the hotel, we were harassed for money from everyone. Taxis would stop traffic trying to get our attention, children would try to clean your shoes as you walked, people would try to sell food and God knows what else as we passed. It was almost like we had signs on our backs saying please harass us! After the previous nights ordeal, my sister was still shook up and she demanded we go back to the hotel. We took a cab back to escape the crowd.
After that experience, my sister only wanted to get back to the safety of here resort in Bavaro. She is an experienced traveler and this trip was too much for her. That day we took another trip back to Bavaro and again we were stopped by Men in Green and extorted money from. It was a relief to get back to the safety of the resort. I spent a night in Bavaro where I enjoyed the resort. The beach and weather were beautiful.
In the end I decided not to go back to Santo Domingo as planned. I had seen all I wanted to see and took an early flight back. My sister left on her scheduled flight and never the resort from the time I left.
My experience with the Dominican Republic was one I will never want experience again. It is a third world country and not a worthy vacation destination. The streets are filthy, the police corrupt, and the food bad and EVERYTHING looks like it has been in a state of construction for the past thirty years.
I would never recommend this place to anyone. Most of all, my sister will not be recommending this country to any potential tourists. Save yourself and your money.
Stay at home!
My sister and her fianc? were traveling from Ireland to Bavaro to stay at the Iberostar Dominican resort. She is a travel agent for Thomas Cook in Dublin and the trip was for pleasure and also for research. She goes on a lot of trips to places so that when she sells them, she can give a first hand experience to her prospective clients.
I live in the U.S and had some time to spare so I decided to go to the DR for a few days R&R but primarily to see my sister who I had not seen in almost a year. The plan was to spend a night in Santo Domingo, then drive to Bavaro to pick up my sister and fianc?, then head back to Santo Domingo to do some sight seeing. We would then go back to Bavaro for a more relaxed time before going home.
I flew into Santo Domingo and stayed at the Jaragua Hotel. The trip from the airport to the hotel was the start of a nightmare that lasted for several days. I drove a rental at dusk on the highway from hell where people walk out in front of oncoming traffic at an alarming rate. There were no identifying lanes and it was generally a free for all with no observed speed limit. I passed through what can only be described as a 30-minute construction zone all the way to Santo Domingo. Upon arrival in Santo Domingo, I realized the city was not much better. In fact it can only be described as a slum. I passed through some of the most depressing areas I have ever seen where homes are simply concrete shacks and the roads and traffic were unbelievable. Adults and children alike roamed the streets in oncoming traffic and the number of motorcycles criss crossing in front of traffic was astounding. No signals and no lights on most of the motorcycles. It was a relief to reach the hotel.
The hotel was typical of most Marriott owned properties and from what I can tell; it is the premier hotel in Santo Domingo. It is right on the Malecon with a beautiful view of the ocean. After checking in I decided to wander up the Malecon to see if I could find a restaurant. Instead all I could find were people trying to offer their "services" or generally try to get some money from me. I quickly returned to the safety hotel where I spent the rest of the evening.
The next day I had to drive to Bavaro to pick up my sister. It is and approx three hour drive. I was looking forward to the drive, as I would get to see a good portion of the country. The route was to take me through Boca Chica, San Pedro De Marcoris, La Romana, Higuey then Bavaro.
From Santo Domingo to San Pedro, most of the road was highway. The exception being Boca Chica. The highway passed through a gritty section, which is not unusual with any highway in the world. From Boca to San Pedro the highway was beautiful modern roadway. Upon arrival in San Pedro, I passed through the center of town but quickly realized it was a mistake. It was an unbelievably poor town with no functioning traffic signals and everything was run down. People and traffic merged into one big mess and it took me quite a time to pass through. I was horrified I might hit one of the wandering children walking or cutting through traffic on a motorcycle. I saw many horrifying near accidents with as many as 5 people (Adults and children) on one motorbike. The town limits could not come quickly enough.
Next town up was La Romana and along the way I passed a couple of dead donkeys roadside and many other people with guns strapped to their backs on motorcycles. La Romana was my first run in with guys in Green Uniforms with I could only assume were some sort of Police. My Spanish being limited, I have no idea why I was singled out from traffic. I was stopped turning at a green light while moving with the traffic. The end result was a bizarre interaction with two uniformed individuals that cost me $10 (US) and no ticket. I continued on my although I was shaken a little after being shaken down for money. The rest of the trip was uneventful thankfully, and the scenery was beautiful. The towns did improve a little but Higuey was a bit scary. There was an election going on and I had people stop in front of my car waving banners in my window. It was a bit nerve wracking but I did what everyone else did. I just kept driving through the crowds.
After three hours I reached the Iberostar Domincana on Bavaro beach. It was a beautiful location and had everything onsite. No need to leave the resort. After 6 days, my sister and fianc? was somewhat bored and looking forward to seeing some more of the country.
The trip back to Santo Domingo was just as nerve wracking as the original trip out and it was highlighted by two more run ins with the Men In Green. Another $5 and then just as we crossed the bridge back into Santo Domingo and got off the highway, we had another run in. Again stopped for no apparent reason. The end result was I was threatened with jail and hand cuffs if I did not hand over $100 (US) dollars. My sister was in near tears in the car and the only way this asshole was going to let us go was if we handed over the money. In no way did I ever let him know how much money I was carrying. I had purposefully only carried small denominations after the first experience and hid the rest. But this guy would not let us go without paying up. He was rude and I hope he chokes on the food he buys with the money he extorted from us.
We made it back to the hotel where we spent the rest of the evening. My sister was too distraught to leave the safely of the hotel that evening.
The next morning we decided to go to the Colonial Zone to see the town and do some shopping. It was a beautiful day so we decided to walk the Malecon. What a bad decision. From the moment we left the gate of the hotel, we were harassed for money from everyone. Taxis would stop traffic trying to get our attention, children would try to clean your shoes as you walked, people would try to sell food and God knows what else as we passed. It was almost like we had signs on our backs saying please harass us! After the previous nights ordeal, my sister was still shook up and she demanded we go back to the hotel. We took a cab back to escape the crowd.
After that experience, my sister only wanted to get back to the safety of here resort in Bavaro. She is an experienced traveler and this trip was too much for her. That day we took another trip back to Bavaro and again we were stopped by Men in Green and extorted money from. It was a relief to get back to the safety of the resort. I spent a night in Bavaro where I enjoyed the resort. The beach and weather were beautiful.
In the end I decided not to go back to Santo Domingo as planned. I had seen all I wanted to see and took an early flight back. My sister left on her scheduled flight and never the resort from the time I left.
My experience with the Dominican Republic was one I will never want experience again. It is a third world country and not a worthy vacation destination. The streets are filthy, the police corrupt, and the food bad and EVERYTHING looks like it has been in a state of construction for the past thirty years.
I would never recommend this place to anyone. Most of all, my sister will not be recommending this country to any potential tourists. Save yourself and your money.
Stay at home!
