Visiting Puerto Plata for the first time...

Status
Not open for further replies.

Jade1604

New member
Oct 25, 2005
6
0
0
Does anybody have any recommendations for me to stay at? I'm currently debating between Fun Royale and Bahia Principe. Any advice, comments, complaints, or other recommendations would be greatly appreciated!! Also, any recommendations on what my girlfriends and I should give a try, in or out of the resort?
 

daydream

Bronze
Sep 19, 2004
718
4
0
Hi there

I have never stayed at the Bahia Principe so I can't comment there but I have stayed at the Fun Royale many times.

The Fun Royale, in my opinion, is a good value for money three star hotel. The rooms are basic but they have everything you need for a one/two week stay. Rooms in the Royale section (the Hotel is split into the Fun Tropicale and Fun Royale) come with a fridge and that is really the only difference between these rooms and those in the Tropicale section (which are cheaper). So if you can do without a fridge then I suggest you opt to stay in a Tropicale room.

The entertainment at the hotel is practically non stop - during the day there are numerous activities going on around the main pool however there is also an adults only pool and a kids pool if you want to relax away from the music. In the evenings the staff put on a show and after the show there is a disco (open till 2am) and 24 hour bar. There are also numerous trips out of the report at night including casino tours, trip to a club in Sosua and a beach party on a Monday night.

All staff are very friendly and good at getting guests to participate in activities. Selection of food available and quality is good.

As for things to do in and around Puerto Plata:

Quad Biking - my favourite....highly recomended

White Water Rafting - a friend of mine went and thoroughly enjoyed it

Ocean World - swim with dolphins

Go Karting

Puerto Plata City Tour - there is an arranged tour from the hotel but personally I would rather do it myself and spend as much time as you like wandering around town.....much cheaper too - if you get on a public bus from outside the resort

Cable Car - you can combine this with the city tour

All of the above can be booked from the hotel however you will save yourself some money if you walk down to the plaza (in the Playa Dorada complex) and book your tours there. Lots of tour companies all in competition so you can get a better deal.

Also try to go on the Cafe Cito Pub Crawl to Sosua and Cabarette....they pick you up from your hotel and take to to a carwash in Puerto Plata, feed you at Cafe Cito (american style food just outside Playa Dorada)....drinks on the coach are included.....and they drop you back at your hotel too....or you can stay on till the early hours in Cabarette and make your own way home. I think it costs $45 US per person .....will have to check.

My advice would be to get out of Playa Dorada and explore the town yourself. Don't be put off by people who tell you that it's unsafe to venture off resport....I totally disagree. There is nothing to be scared of......get out there and see the real dominican way of life. People will be quick to help you and will welcome you wherever you go.

Take a bus to Sosua (30mins - beach is much nicer there) or even further afield to Cabarete (about 45 mins). Here you can surf, kiteboard, windsurf etc....if you are into that sort of thing. Or, go the other way - West of Puerto Plata - to Cofressi/Costambar. Again, nicer beaches which tend to be quieter than Playa Dorada (apart from at the weekends when they get crowded as the locals are off work).

Have a great holiday and make sure you post a trip report when you get back.

Enjoy!
Daydream.
 
Last edited:

planner

.............. ?
Sep 23, 2002
4,409
26
0
It all depends what kind of vacation you are looking for. You ahve a pretty good description of the fun royale now. I have stayed there many times and really like it. BUT if you are looking for a quieter more romantic experience then you might prefer the Bahia Principe. It is about 1 1/2 hours from PUerto Plata.

PErsonally I prefer to be closer to Puerto Plata where we have more nightlife.
 

stormer

New member
Apr 27, 2004
441
2
0
Hi there,
Stay at Fun Royale, I have stayed there 5 times and it rocks.....Bahia is too far away.
 

Snowbird

Member
Jan 17, 2002
273
0
16
My Vote

I vote for Fun Royale/Tropicale. My wife and I have been going there for 10 years. I can't say enough good things about our times there.

If you would like to see some pics of the resort, go to www.debbiesdominicantravel.com, find the "photos of resorts" link, it opens to the North Coast. Scroll down to the first of the offerings of FunTropicale/FunRoyale by Bob. When that opens, scroll down to Puerto Plata and click on his slide show. It's pretty awesome. Be sure to look at all the other photos by Bob as well.

Enjoy your Dominican Experience :)

SB
 

Jade1604

New member
Oct 25, 2005
6
0
0
thank you, thank you, thank you!

to everyone who posted a message...thanx a million...i definitely didn't expect to get so many wonderful & informative responses so quickly...it's all very much appreciated...i'm totally looking forward to my trip and can not wait to get there... ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.