Nice beach near Santa Domingo

Shaunab

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Aug 18, 2004
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We are flying into Santa Domingo and looking for a nice beach/ hotel that is't too far away. I am pregnant and we have a 2 yr. old. We are not usually into big resorts/ AI. Heard something about La Romana but have no details. Help!
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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Shaunab said:
We are flying into Santa Domingo and looking for a nice beach/ hotel that is't too far away. I am pregnant and we have a 2 yr. old. We are not usually into big resorts/ AI. Heard something about La Romana but have no details. Help!

"Santa" Domingo is a fat guy in a red suit that brings gifts, I guess on Sundays (e.g. domingo) .

***Santo *** Domingo is the capital and is near Boca Chica (the airport is closer to Boca Chica than it is to the city). Also Juan Dolio is not much farther and La Romana is a lot more.

Stay in Boca Chica, see www.bocachicabeach.net for all sorts of non-AI opportunities at all sorts of prices. For a family, maybe the Zapata which is right on the beach itself.

Pray tell you bought tickets to SDQ without knowing what to do when you got there? Because if you want to go to the resort cities like La Romana, Puerto Plata, or Punta Cana you can actually fly to those airports.
 

Shaunab

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Aug 18, 2004
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type-o

Well, I was a little surprized at the hostility that my type-o generated. Usually people who respond to postings are a little more good natured. No, I am not an idiot. I have free FF miles and tickets reserved to go to SANTO DOMINGO. Just trying to see if we can make a last minute trip, work. If anyone has anything helpful to tell me I would still appreciate a response. Thanks
 

Forbeca

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Mar 5, 2003
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Shaunab, I believe Ricktoronto's reply is very helpful. Boca Chica may be your best option. Don't worry about the tone of the message, (so it was a typo, now we know, you'd be surprised the number of people who write in and don't know the difference :cross-eye you got the most qualified person here to answer you and he gave you good advice you should follow it.






Shaunab said:
Well, I was a little surprized at the hostility that my type-o generated. Usually people who respond to postings are a little more good natured. No, I am not an idiot. I have free FF miles and tickets reserved to go to SANTO DOMINGO. Just trying to see if we can make a last minute trip, work. If anyone has anything helpful to tell me I would still appreciate a response. Thanks
 
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solituna

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Jan 26, 2004
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BC Night life

If you plan on doing sight seeing of BC at night, it might not be the most suitable for chlidren... if you know what I mean...An AI in BC will keep you in a protectced environment though.

La Romana or Bayahibe are calmer.
 

KateP

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May 28, 2004
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...but further. You could also try Juan Dolio which is good for families and it's just a bit further than Boca Chica...
 

johne

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Jun 28, 2003
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Good Advise

KateP said:
...but further. You could also try Juan Dolio which is good for families and it's just a bit further than Boca Chica...
For a family Kate is right. The difference is 10-15 minutes by cab on the same exact road that takes you to BC

JOHN
 

Dolores1

DR1
May 3, 2000
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www.
For a family with a two-year old, Boca Chica will be fine, with the big plus of being 15 minutes drive from the airport. Have been out there swimming in the beach recently taking my sons to sailing camp, and then sailing lessons on Saturdays, and the beach has a gorgeous look and feel to it.

The Hamaca is an all inclusive, but would recommend it. Let us know how things go when you get back.

http://dr1.com/directories/hotels/coral_hamaca.shtml
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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But Limited

KateP said:
...but further. You could also try Juan Dolio which is good for families and it's just a bit further than Boca Chica...

Very few non AI resorts and the OP was willing, God bless her to try a real hotel. Juan Dolio is totally dull unless you are trapped in AI hell. Tehn ti si a different kind of dull.

Zapata is more than adequate in BC and not all that close to the "night life", and little kids would not be out that late when it is iffy anyway.

And to the OP - Shaunab - free reward tickets to LRM PUJ or POP should be the same miles as ones to SDQ. Caribbean is Caribbean, with AA for example.

And cool your jets on the hostility trauma, sensitive blossom or what? Sheesh.
 

jrzyguy

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May 5, 2004
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i have to agree on boca chica. Sure there are better spots....but since you are flying in to SDQ it is VERY convenient. one major plus about Boca Chica is that the beach is surrounded by a reef....so the water is really shallow and calm...so you can wade out and play with your 2 yr old.

The night life is kinda on the seedy side (an understatement if ever there was one)....lotsa "working girls" and their admirors. However...i have seen more and more families hanging out on calle duarte at night.

on the negative side....you WILL be harrased on the beach by beach venders...just keep saying no and eventualy they leave you alone.

Also...i find that the "chair guys" towards the end of the beach away from the hamaca seem to be much nicer than the ones close to the hamaca.

Ok...hope you enjoy your trip!!!! B.C. is cool if you know what to expect and what not to expect.

Oh...i've only been to juan dolio once....its ok....the beach is just so so....it IS quieter than B.C.....but if i had a choice i would pick B.C. for the area you are in.
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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Beach Strategy

If you stay in non-AI in Boca Chica go to Playa Vista ( quite nice looking elevated beach bar with red and white contruction, easy to spot from the beach itself ( a bit harder from Duarte - it is behind the Europa Hotel and is accessed via the big white gates) , they won't gouge you three ways from Sunday on drinks, chair costs etc., as long as you buy from them it is quite sane.

The principals, Peter and Flemming are the ones that post the blog here ar DR1.
 

Shaunab

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Aug 18, 2004
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Suggestions for AI in BC?

Maybe we should consider an All Inclusive. Any recommendations in Boca Chica? Also, any suggestions for places that are a taxi ride away (appx.1 hr) that might be a little more mellow. I am in NYC every day and I'm really looking for a change of pace. Thanks.
 

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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Also, the Coral by Hilton Costa Caribe Beach Resort and Casino (sorry for the long name, but what can I do?!)

Despite the long name, this is a beautiful pink colored resort that truly gives you that tropical vacation feeling. The stretch of beach there is a bit more appealing than in other areas of Juan Dolio.

click on the link below for more info on this resort.

http://coralbyhilton.com/CostaCaribe/index.htm
 

johne

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Jun 28, 2003
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Coral Hotels

Both the Hamaca and the Costa Caribe are owned by Coral/Hilton. I have stayed at both many times over the past 6 years. There is no doubt in my mind given your parameters the Hamaca is the better choice.
JOHN
(last week I advised her to go to Juan Dolio when she was NOT at a AI and was looking for beach only. I'm changing the rec. now since all around La Hamaca is a better deal.)
 
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NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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That's nice John, however, you should have PM your cell phone number to her rather than posting it here. Remember, most of these threads will become part of an archive and your number will be exposed to hundreds if not thousands of people that you rather not want to give your cell phone number to.

In short, edit it out of your post and PM it to her before you begin to get odd calls from people from all over the world.

Just a thought.
 

johne

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Jun 28, 2003
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Thanks

Nal0whs said:
That's nice John, however, you should have PM your cell phone number to her rather than posting it here. Remember, most of these threads will become part of an archive and your number will be exposed to hundreds if not thousands of people that you rather not want to give your cell phone number to.

In short, edit it out of your post and PM it to her before you begin to get odd calls from people from all over the world.

Just a thought.
Thought about that while I was in the shower just now. Came to my computer to do it when I saw your post

JOHN