We have just returned from our first trip to the DR.
We stayed on the North Coast in one of the Playa Dorada hotels which was fine but we spent most of our days outside the hotel seeing as much of the north of the island as possible.
You have a beautiful island with lots to offer tourists. However, our holiday was spolied by the incessant pestering of street and beach vendors.
I know these guys are trying to make a living but it gets too much! How many times and in how many ways do you have to say no before these guys leave you alone? And in many cases walking away doesnt help - they either follow you or grab your arm.
Sosua was probably the worst for this - constantly stopped in the street, on the beach, accosted in bars and restaurants etc. Cabarete almost as bad and even around Playa Dorada itself we were stopped but less so.
We even had occasions were we had got into a taxi, agreed the fare and were about to pull away when guys stopped our taxi to sell us other taxi or tour guide firms. Whats that all about?
We had read these boards before we went and there were many messages that a firm no thanks would do the trick. In some cases it did - but be warned first timers that in an equal number of cases it doesnt work.
We loved the island guys - but wont be back - it was too much for us and spoiled our holiday. I dont want to be physically or verbally accosted every time i walk around a place. Not my idea of a relaxing time.No wonder most of the AI guest stay in their hotels.
We stayed on the North Coast in one of the Playa Dorada hotels which was fine but we spent most of our days outside the hotel seeing as much of the north of the island as possible.
You have a beautiful island with lots to offer tourists. However, our holiday was spolied by the incessant pestering of street and beach vendors.
I know these guys are trying to make a living but it gets too much! How many times and in how many ways do you have to say no before these guys leave you alone? And in many cases walking away doesnt help - they either follow you or grab your arm.
Sosua was probably the worst for this - constantly stopped in the street, on the beach, accosted in bars and restaurants etc. Cabarete almost as bad and even around Playa Dorada itself we were stopped but less so.
We even had occasions were we had got into a taxi, agreed the fare and were about to pull away when guys stopped our taxi to sell us other taxi or tour guide firms. Whats that all about?
We had read these boards before we went and there were many messages that a firm no thanks would do the trick. In some cases it did - but be warned first timers that in an equal number of cases it doesnt work.
We loved the island guys - but wont be back - it was too much for us and spoiled our holiday. I dont want to be physically or verbally accosted every time i walk around a place. Not my idea of a relaxing time.No wonder most of the AI guest stay in their hotels.