- Thread starter Vegas M
- Start date
A POLL (kind of)
Simple - North Coast!
Hi Vegas M,
Greetings from Atlantic Canada.
More to do outside of the resorts.
Lots of ex-pats to socialize with.
Rocky's Rock & Blues Bar
Britannia Pub
Eddy's Sports Bar
Lots of DR1'ers to have a reunion with. (Excellent people!)
Good to excellent beaches and still only a short hop to the mountains.
Sosua and Cabarete are funky Dominican towns.
Cabarete is DR central for board sports (windsurfing, board surfing, kiteboarding, boogieboarding).
Ocean World.
Fried fish, tostones and Presidente bien fria in Maimon.
That's it for now.
Gregg
Hi Vegas M,
Greetings from Atlantic Canada.
More to do outside of the resorts.
Lots of ex-pats to socialize with.
Rocky's Rock & Blues Bar
Britannia Pub
Eddy's Sports Bar
Lots of DR1'ers to have a reunion with. (Excellent people!)
Good to excellent beaches and still only a short hop to the mountains.
Sosua and Cabarete are funky Dominican towns.
Cabarete is DR central for board sports (windsurfing, board surfing, kiteboarding, boogieboarding).
Ocean World.
Fried fish, tostones and Presidente bien fria in Maimon.
That's it for now.
Gregg
From the Three Choices,
D) None of the above
Too many all inclusive resorts.
Get out and see the real DR. Get a car and driver, get a map, go to Santiago, go to the capital, get out of the walled compounds that are so identical, you could be anywhere on earth. Be a tourist, don't just have a vacation.
D) None of the above
Too many all inclusive resorts.
Get out and see the real DR. Get a car and driver, get a map, go to Santiago, go to the capital, get out of the walled compounds that are so identical, you could be anywhere on earth. Be a tourist, don't just have a vacation.
ricktoronto said:
Rick, Vegas has posted a question asking for peoples favourite places and their reasons for liking them. Why do you have to pull down what Fireguy has mentioned as his favourite instead of simply adding your favourites to this thread? Also some peoples favourite place might be an AI, its not for you to tell them it shouldnt be just because you cant stand them.
I have never been on the south side so i can't comment on that part of the DR. For me, i love the North Coast and have been perfectly happy to go there everytime i have been to the DR. There are plenty of choices of AI and non AI hotels depending on what the individual wants. There's plenty of 'the real DR' up there to keep you going for more than one trip. Things are reasonably close together and there's plenty to see and do. Do a little searching on DR1 and you will find more information than you could ask for.
Enjoy yourself wherever you end up.
You will have a great time!
I live on the North Coast and would advise the N. Coast. I like going to places I have not been to yet when I travel the country. One day I will run out of places on this great Island but until then I like to explore.Vegas M said:
Scott
tired_boy said:
And the answer is, anywhere other than AI's, such as Santiago that I mentioned. Even POP in an in-town hotel and eating in the local restaurants etc., is far and away better tourism than locking yourself inside a sterile, identical, full of whining white tourist AI resort. I didn't pull down anything Fireguy mentioned since he said the same thing - more fun outside the resorts - so mind your own beeswax or learn to read or both.
Get out and see the REAL DR
I also agree with ricktoronto. You can't REALLY say you have visited the DR if you've only stayed at an AI. Not that there is anything wrong with staying at one. I personally love staying at them. They make for great, care free vacations. However, in addition to spending a week at an AI in Punta Cana (absolutely beautiful beaches), I always make sure I take a couple of days to hang out in Santo Domingo. I rent a car, race around, bribe cops, take a ride in a gua gua, visit the colonial zone, eat rice and beans in a tiny cafe with no tourists and get to know the people. Dominicans are some of the most friendly people in the world, and in the capital (unlike the AI's in Punta Cana) they won't all be trying to sell something to "my fren".
ricktoronto said:
I also agree with ricktoronto. You can't REALLY say you have visited the DR if you've only stayed at an AI. Not that there is anything wrong with staying at one. I personally love staying at them. They make for great, care free vacations. However, in addition to spending a week at an AI in Punta Cana (absolutely beautiful beaches), I always make sure I take a couple of days to hang out in Santo Domingo. I rent a car, race around, bribe cops, take a ride in a gua gua, visit the colonial zone, eat rice and beans in a tiny cafe with no tourists and get to know the people. Dominicans are some of the most friendly people in the world, and in the capital (unlike the AI's in Punta Cana) they won't all be trying to sell something to "my fren".
Mikefree5151 said:
Everyone who has ever been outside their AI hotel knows this and agrees aswell.
However why say 'none of the above' to Fireguys favourites just because there's 'too many all inclusive resorts' in the areas he mentioned. Is the countryside not really the Dominican Republic, have the AI's ruined it and the people not the same in the north? Instead of just sticking to the thread Rick just wants remind us all about what he thinks about AI's.
Rick's OK by me,
We all have our opinions and Rick has his "crusades". With respect tired_boy, if I felt I needed defending I am more than able to do so (but thank you anyway) but I have no illusions that I will change Rick, so I choose not to comment. Neither AI's nor the use of "the Dominican" nor my ability to spell properly, or not, will affect my opinions about the DR, so I remain silent.
I enjoy AI's but get out as much as I stay in so IMHO I get the best of both worlds. I have my own driver I use and recommend to others and enjoy the guaguas and publicos for short trips.
I have yet to experience Santo Domingo but I do like Santiago, ergo the comment about the mountains being close, and will experience Punta Cana (an almost free trip courtesy of an overbooking at Breezes - POP this Spring and lots of frequent flyer miles) in October. We plan to return to the North Coast (probably to an AI) in April/05.
Well that's more info than I usually share but thought it might clarify my point of view.
Gregg
We all have our opinions and Rick has his "crusades". With respect tired_boy, if I felt I needed defending I am more than able to do so (but thank you anyway) but I have no illusions that I will change Rick, so I choose not to comment. Neither AI's nor the use of "the Dominican" nor my ability to spell properly, or not, will affect my opinions about the DR, so I remain silent.
I enjoy AI's but get out as much as I stay in so IMHO I get the best of both worlds. I have my own driver I use and recommend to others and enjoy the guaguas and publicos for short trips.
I have yet to experience Santo Domingo but I do like Santiago, ergo the comment about the mountains being close, and will experience Punta Cana (an almost free trip courtesy of an overbooking at Breezes - POP this Spring and lots of frequent flyer miles) in October. We plan to return to the North Coast (probably to an AI) in April/05.
Well that's more info than I usually share but thought it might clarify my point of view.
Gregg
ricktoronto said:
Comments like this are wrong. The AI hotels are not identical or sterile and whats the comment about whining white tourists all about? Do you not get any unhappy people outside AI resorts?
Posts like this are frustrating to people who enjoy their holiday in an AI hotel.
How can you say to travel to 'none of the above' and include Puerto Plata because it has too many AI resorts and then advise them to go and find the 'real DR' as if Puerto Plata isnt the 'real DR'.
What do you think to the people on here who post trip reports about their holidays in AI hotels in the DR and enjoy themselves then? Have they been deceived? Is it impossible for them to really have had a good time? Should they have just stayed in an AI in Blackpool (UK) and enjoyed themselves equally as much?
tired_boy said:Rick, Vegas has posted a question asking for peoples favourite places and their reasons for liking them. Why do you have to pull down what Fireguy has mentioned as his favourite instead of simply adding your favourites to this thread? Also some peoples favourite place might be an AI, its not for you to tell them it shouldnt be just because you cant stand them.
I have never been on the south side so i can't comment on that part of the DR. For me, i love the North Coast and have been perfectly happy to go there everytime i have been to the DR. There are plenty of choices of AI and non AI hotels depending on what the individual wants. There's plenty of 'the real DR' up there to keep you going for more than one trip. Things are reasonably close together and there's plenty to see and do. Do a little searching on DR1 and you will find more information than you could ask for.
Enjoy yourself wherever you end up.
You will have a great time!
I truly understand where rick is coming from you cannot get the dr experience in a resort you have to go out and experience the blackouts, the dry spells and all so that you can truly say you visited dr. go live like a dominican. sit in the colmado drinking presidentes "vestia e' novia" and brugal "etra viejo" and then go back home and say you had a new experience.
lizzyjl80 said:
My point is that Rick says you can't get any DR experience from an AI hotel because they are all the same and you might as well be anywhere in the world. There is a big difference between saying you can't get a 'true DR experience' and you 'can't get any DR experience' from an AI. Nobody will ever convince me that an AI in the DR is the same experience as staying in an AI in Greece, Spain, Tenerife, Cyprus etc etc
Personally I always go out and about the towns outside the hotels. I have dominican friends in the Puerto Plata area and visit them in their houses for a Presidente in the middle of power cuts etc etc
A Matter of Choice
There really is no need to stay in them either - I am reasonably sure the air only cost of a charter plus (non-AI) normal hotels and meals can be very similar and much more enjoyable - real vs. artificial. And frankly, while the food in an AI is plentiful it is pretty mediocre day after day ( and yes I have stayed at one in the DR - Hamaca - and while it wasn't inedible it was like eating at home) and for variety alone it may be better to avoid the AI experience. To each his or hew own though.
lizzyjl80 said:
There really is no need to stay in them either - I am reasonably sure the air only cost of a charter plus (non-AI) normal hotels and meals can be very similar and much more enjoyable - real vs. artificial. And frankly, while the food in an AI is plentiful it is pretty mediocre day after day ( and yes I have stayed at one in the DR - Hamaca - and while it wasn't inedible it was like eating at home) and for variety alone it may be better to avoid the AI experience. To each his or hew own though.
...the North Coast gives you more...
Although Punta Cana and La Romana are excellent places and attract a clientele more upper-scale, generally, the North Coast gives you more variety and a better view of the real Dominican experience.
From Luperon to the west of Puerto Plata to Las Galeras in Samana, at the easternmost tip of the north coast, you will find any and everything that may interest you as far as lodging, food, beaches, sports activities, etc.
As many posts above, I recommend you try the north coast and move around as much as possible to live as many experiences as you can; that's what makes life worth living!
Although Punta Cana and La Romana are excellent places and attract a clientele more upper-scale, generally, the North Coast gives you more variety and a better view of the real Dominican experience.
From Luperon to the west of Puerto Plata to Las Galeras in Samana, at the easternmost tip of the north coast, you will find any and everything that may interest you as far as lodging, food, beaches, sports activities, etc.
As many posts above, I recommend you try the north coast and move around as much as possible to live as many experiences as you can; that's what makes life worth living!
The AI debate!
Can anyone answer the following questions?
1) How do AI's effect tourism in The DR?
2) How many people visit the country, who, if not for AI's wouldn't?
3) How many people have employment because of AI resorts?
It seems to me that people are getting a hard time because they choose to spend their vacations doing what they please and before the 'Forum Police' get started I am not asking you to be greatful for people like me bringing wealth to you country, I'm just pointing out that if someone asks for pointers on things to see and do by all means point out the pit falls (ie: Trusting a holiday rep. ) just stop telling us what what we should be doing and how to spend our vacation. I can think of nothing better than chilling out in the tropical sunshine with my girl by my side and a beer in my hand for two weeks - to do that I don't need to leave an AI but I do need to leave the UK!
The first couple of times I visited DR I was sceptical about leaving the resort. Hell I was unsure about taking a taxi from my AI in Confresi to a Casino at Playa Dorada. Now after only four visits I'll happily venture out (and a little further a field than Playa Dorada, but not quite ready to camp in the sugar cane) but I still prefer being able to walk before I can run! Its all about doing what you feel comfortable with. As with anywhere in the world be cautious and never trust a guy who wears shades indoors.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Can anyone answer the following questions?
1) How do AI's effect tourism in The DR?
2) How many people visit the country, who, if not for AI's wouldn't?
3) How many people have employment because of AI resorts?
It seems to me that people are getting a hard time because they choose to spend their vacations doing what they please and before the 'Forum Police' get started I am not asking you to be greatful for people like me bringing wealth to you country, I'm just pointing out that if someone asks for pointers on things to see and do by all means point out the pit falls (ie: Trusting a holiday rep.
) just stop telling us what what we should be doing and how to spend our vacation. I can think of nothing better than chilling out in the tropical sunshine with my girl by my side and a beer in my hand for two weeks - to do that I don't need to leave an AI but I do need to leave the UK!The first couple of times I visited DR I was sceptical about leaving the resort. Hell I was unsure about taking a taxi from my AI in Confresi to a Casino at Playa Dorada. Now after only four visits I'll happily venture out (and a little further a field than Playa Dorada, but not quite ready to camp in the sugar cane) but I still prefer being able to walk before I can run! Its all about doing what you feel comfortable with. As with anywhere in the world be cautious and never trust a guy who wears shades indoors.
Happy Holidays Everyone!