Any Information would help

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Sunseeker13

New member
Nov 23, 2004
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After looking at a couple of these forums, it appears there are a few people looking for information on fishing.

I am beginning to wonder if this kind of trip is going to be an option as no-one can offer any information.

Please, please, can anyone shed any light on Fishing in the Punta Cana area i.e. prices, what we can expect in January, how long trips are.etc..

Also, has anyone recently visited the Sirenis Cocotal Resort, just wanted to know what to expect.

Thanks

SM
 
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DominicanR

New member
Nov 23, 2004
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www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com
Hi sunseeker

Hi sunseeker

I think I made a blunder the other day when I tried to provide info. New to this forum thing and presumed 'reviews' were not subject to copyright issues. I recommend you go to Debbies Dominican Travel site and search 'Sirenis Cocotal' reviews there are several VERY detailed ones there, mostly looks very promising, so no worries I reckon.

We have recently launched a site (it's a hobby things whilst we're living outside DR) keeps us in touch with family and things at home. We've put quite a bit of general info for visitors on the site, our take on things I guess, and a few 'subjective' bits of advice about where to go what to see type thing.

WE dealt with a fishing query recently and have some info, BUT are you interested in sea fishing or inland waters?

Call by Visiting-the-dominican-republic.com and drop us a line if you're interested in fishing info.

Best wishes, and hope this you and hasn't broken any rules this time...

Dom R
 
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Sunseeker13

New member
Nov 23, 2004
7
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Thanks

Thanks DomR,

Very useful, will take a look.

SM
DominicanR said:
Hi sunseeker

I think I made a blunder the other day when I tried to provide info. New to this forum thing and presumed 'reviews' were not subject to copyright issues. I recommend you go to Debbies Dominican Travel site and search 'Sirenis Cocotal' reviews there are several VERY detailed ones there, mostly looks very promising, so no worries I reckon.

We have recently launched a site (it's a hobby things whilst we're living outside DR) keeps us in touch with family and things at home. We've put quite a bit of general info for visitors on the site, our take on things I guess, and a few 'subjective' bits of advice about where to go what to see type thing.

WE dealt with a fishing query recently and have some info, BUT are you interested in sea fishing or inland waters?

Call by Visiting-the-dominican-republic.com and drop us a line if you're interested in fishing info.

Best wishes, and hope this you and hasn't broken any rules this time...

Dom R
Click to expand...
 
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elaine123

New member
Nov 1, 2004
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Sirenis Cocotal

Hi Sunseeker,

I have just arrived back from a fantastic two week stay at the Sirenis Cocotal.

The weather on the whole was great (a sunny 28-30 most days!!), and the majority of the food was good (although you might want to avoid the goat stew!!). Every day there is a wide choice of dishes on offer - so even the most fussy eaters should find something they like! The cocktails are delicious too!!

I can recommend the Mediterranean restaurant - the lobster is lovely! - and we also enjoyed the mexican restaurant.

We found all the hotel staff to be most helpful and friendly and tipping a few US dollars seems to go a long way!!

One piece of advice is that they are unable to change large US$ notes at the hotel reception - they are only able to give change in pesos. As we travelled from the UK we had mostly $100 and $50 bills, but we discovered that if you go to the casino you can get change of your US$ there for smaller notes.

In the evening the some of the shows are quite entertaining - I particularly enjoyed singing along to Grease!!! We only visited the disco once - expect to pay around $4 a drink. However you can drink for free in the casino until 3am providing you are gambling!!

We also went on a few day trips - Saona Island is beautiful, swimming with sharks was scary and the monster truck safari gives you a taste of true dominican life!! If you do plan to do a monster truck type trip it is likely you will visit a school - if possible take pencils, exercise books, chalk etc with you for the children. This is preferable to them begging for money or giving them sweets/candy which will rot their teeth!

With regard to your fishing trip we didn't do anything like this, but every day there was a man next to the beach towel hut who was selling fishing trips. He seemed to be part of the sirenis staff - unfortunately I can't give you any more details/prices.

The shops/stalls on the beach at either side of the hotel are worth a visit - although be prepared to barter!! We met a brilliant guy called Jimmy who happily dropped his price by over US$40 when we offered him a disposable camera in exchange for some gifts. He will happily barter with you - bring him anything from clothing/shoes to sunscreen/perfume (even if it is nearly empty!).

Anyway I hope you have a excellent trip - I'm very jealous as I'm back in wintery Scotland where the temperature was below zero when I got up this morning!!!

Any questions about the resort let me know!

Elaine
 
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Sunseeker13

New member
Nov 23, 2004
7
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0
Sounds Great

elaine123 said:
Hi Sunseeker,

I have just arrived back from a fantastic two week stay at the Sirenis Cocotal.

The weather on the whole was great (a sunny 28-30 most days!!), and the majority of the food was good (although you might want to avoid the goat stew!!). Every day there is a wide choice of dishes on offer - so even the most fussy eaters should find something they like! The cocktails are delicious too!!

I can recommend the Mediterranean restaurant - the lobster is lovely! - and we also enjoyed the mexican restaurant.

We found all the hotel staff to be most helpful and friendly and tipping a few US dollars seems to go a long way!!

One piece of advice is that they are unable to change large US$ notes at the hotel reception - they are only able to give change in pesos. As we travelled from the UK we had mostly $100 and $50 bills, but we discovered that if you go to the casino you can get change of your US$ there for smaller notes.

In the evening the some of the shows are quite entertaining - I particularly enjoyed singing along to Grease!!! We only visited the disco once - expect to pay around $4 a drink. However you can drink for free in the casino until 3am providing you are gambling!!

We also went on a few day trips - Saona Island is beautiful, swimming with sharks was scary and the monster truck safari gives you a taste of true dominican life!! If you do plan to do a monster truck type trip it is likely you will visit a school - if possible take pencils, exercise books, chalk etc with you for the children. This is preferable to them begging for money or giving them sweets/candy which will rot their teeth!

With regard to your fishing trip we didn't do anything like this, but every day there was a man next to the beach towel hut who was selling fishing trips. He seemed to be part of the sirenis staff - unfortunately I can't give you any more details/prices.

The shops/stalls on the beach at either side of the hotel are worth a visit - although be prepared to barter!! We met a brilliant guy called Jimmy who happily dropped his price by over US$40 when we offered him a disposable camera in exchange for some gifts. He will happily barter with you - bring him anything from clothing/shoes to sunscreen/perfume (even if it is nearly empty!).

Anyway I hope you have a excellent trip - I'm very jealous as I'm back in wintery Scotland where the temperature was below zero when I got up this morning!!!

Any questions about the resort let me know!

Elaine
Click to expand...

Hi Elaine

Thank you soooooo much for all this information. It sounds like you had a really great time. I will definetly avoid the Goat Stew....sounds yuck!!

I was getting a little worried after reading some of the reviews on this resort, but your report has certainly put my mind to rest. I was planning on taking some little gifts for the maid instead of just tips here and there as I understand toiletries are really expensive. What do you think?


Did you go swimming in the sea or snorkelling, we were planning on taking our gear with us, but I understand that snorkelling might not be an option at this resort. Are there are reefs close to the shore that you noticed?

As for the food, I have to be the most awkward person on the planet, however, as long as there is a dessert island I'm sure I'll be fine.

Anyway's thanks again for your information. Can't wait to get there now, just get Christmas out the way and were off.

Thanks

SM
 
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elaine123

New member
Nov 1, 2004
5
0
0
Hi SM,

Toiletries for the maids would be a really nice idea. At the end of our stay we left shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, hairspray, moisturisers etc for our maid.

It is possible to swim/snorkel in the sea at the resort - snorkelling gear is available from the watersports centre in the resort if you don't want to take your own. You can see the reef from the beach but it's not too close!

If you like desserts you'll be fine - lots of choice in the main restaurants!
There also do amazing fresh crepes (made while you wait) in the restaurants next to the pool - very good with some maple syrup!!

Kind regards

Elaine
 
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ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
4,837
0
0
elaine123 said:
Hi SM,

Toiletries for the maids would be a really nice idea. At the end of our stay we left shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, hairspray, moisturisers etc for our maid.

Elaine
Click to expand...

For the umpteenth time, while you might think that this is a tip, it isn't, in fact it may be looked upon disdainfully as implying a degree of poverty , which while true, doesn't need to be pointed out to someone making $3 -5 a day.

Cash (in the US$2 a day range, or RD$100 a day) is a tip.

If these items were partially used or supplied by the hotel in the room, then they are even more inappropriate, in lieu of cash.

There are several good threads on appropriate tipping behaviour but the best and only true gratuity is cash, ideally given to the maid in person each day or periodically. Same with waiters and hostesses even though you are eating and drinking for "free" (you aren't - you paid in advance - so tip accordingly).
 
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elaine123

New member
Nov 1, 2004
5
0
0
ricktoronto said:
For the umpteenth time, while you might think that this is a tip, it isn't, in fact it may be looked upon disdainfully as implying a degree of poverty , which while true, doesn't need to be pointed out to someone making $3 -5 a day.

Cash (in the US$2 a day range, or RD$100 a day) is a tip.

If these items were partially used or supplied by the hotel in the room, then they are even more inappropriate, in lieu of cash.

There are several good threads on appropriate tipping behaviour but the best and only true gratuity is cash, ideally given to the maid in person each day or periodically. Same with waiters and hostesses even though you are eating and drinking for "free" (you aren't - you paid in advance - so tip accordingly).
Click to expand...


I note your comments and I would like to advise that having researched appropriate tipping before we departed, we tipped (regularly with US$) our maid, the waiters/hostesses and other hotel staff.

In addtion, we took school supplies which we handed in at a local school we visited during an organised trip - these were much needed and appreciated by the head teacher!! I think this is far more appropriate than the actions of some of the American tourists on our excursion who were making the kids beg/sing/dance for money!!!

We left several quality UK brand products at the end of our stay (not hotel products). These were not left in lieu of cash but in addition to, and it was entirely up to our maid whether she kept these or binned them.

As for partially used products - the traders on the beach frequently requested we bring such items and would ask for the clothing/shoes you were wearing in exchange for their goods. They approached us not the other way round!! When I asked one trader what he could possibly want with a half empty bottle of perfume, he replied that it would be a gift for his wife.

In researching the DR before our trip I did come across several threads on this site (and others) which suggested taking things such as toiletries and clothing - especially in the aftermath of the hurricane season.
 
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