In the low/off season the locals are what bring in the cash for many of the resorts (Punta Cana) is what I have heard from various hotel managers/general managers. Saying that, we have experienced weekend stays at AI's where it was quite full of locals. It just depends on the resort. Some resorts control it better than others.
KC. I spent many winters at POP Village resort in Playa Dorada. An older resort but the rooms were clean and the food was good. Every weekend DR families would arrive by the bus load. Most were courteous, some weren’t. The kids had free run of the pool areas with mothers close by to watch them. The basketball court and checkers area was a beehive of activity and noise. The main dining room area was interesting on the weekends The usual courtesy of lining up quickly disappeared when the families appeared en masse. It didn’t bother me. I adapted my schedule, always found a quiet corner and was served quickly by the dining staff I knew well. The noise level was often deafening but I got used to it. The food left from over loaded kids plates was a bit upsetting but kids will be kids. Behaviour in the ala cartes was very different. Quiet, respectful, kids on their best behaviour and everyone well dressed.
Some weekends large bus loads of people would arrive for an evangelistic gathering. Instead of carping about the noise and the crowds, I’d sneak in, sit in the back, and try to get a sense of what the preacher was saying. Free entertainment and lots of fun. One time, I ended up playing guitar and singing songs with a few of young women who saw me as a possible convert. Good luck with that! I was trying to bring them over to the dark side.
I always had a villa suite with two large front and rear balconies. if someone wanted to borrow a beach lounger from my balcony, they would always ask. If beer was in a cooler at the party spot at the rear of my suite, I was always offered one anytime I joined them. If I wasn’t around, one of the loungers might disappear for a few hours but it would always be returned. I’ve left things on the table on my front balcony and nothing went missing.
It’s the same for my stays in the campo. The locals I spent time with were hard working respectful families. I attended weddings there and was treated like one of the family. The bars were noisy with locals and gringos but that was expected. No worse than the POP Malacon on a Friday night. Everyone blended together nicely.
You can’t broad brush everyone as crass and disrespectful. An open mind, a sharp eye and friendly disposition has given me exposure to the best the DR has to offer. The good far outweighs the bad and I quickly forget the bad and accept it as a lesson learned.
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