Reassurance Needed...PLEASE!

D

Dwight

New member
Oct 2, 2004
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Yesterday I cancelled my trip to Cuba in a moment of temporary insanity. I feel very "comfortable" there....have a lot of Cuban friends, so I don't spend much time at the hotel.

I booked Paraisa del Sol on a whim....and now I have "buyers remorse". I've been reading terrible reviews about the place. Also, I know my way around the "remote" area of Cuba that I travel to...but I don't know anything about, or anyone in DR. I prefer knowing local people...but in this case, I'm starting from "square one" all over again.
What to do?

I'm going Nov.13 -27'th.

Thanks

Dwight
 
J

juancarlos

Bronze
Sep 28, 2003
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Dwight said:
Yesterday I cancelled my trip to Cuba in a moment of temporary insanity. I feel very "comfortable" there....have a lot of Cuban friends, so I don't spend much time at the hotel.

I booked Paraisa del Sol on a whim....and now I have "buyers remorse". I've been reading terrible reviews about the place. Also, I know my way around the "remote" area of Cuba that I travel to...but I don't know anything about, or anyone in DR. I prefer knowing local people...but in this case, I'm starting from "square one" all over again.
What to do?

I'm going Nov.13 -27'th.

Thanks

Dwight
Click to expand...

Pardon me if am being indiscreet for it is not my intention, but, where is that "remote" part of Cuba you usually travel to? Also, where is this Paraiso del Sol Hotel?
 
D

Dwight

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Oct 2, 2004
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Hi juancarlos,

I travel to Marea del Portillo on the southeast coast of Cuba....at the base of the Sierra Maestra mountains....spectacular scenery, wonderful people!

The Paraiso del Sol is ?? The book says...3 km. from Cabarete. That's all I know.

Dwight
 
J

juancarlos

Bronze
Sep 28, 2003
676
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Dwight said:
Hi juancarlos,

I travel to Marea del Portillo on the southeast coast of Cuba....at the base of the Sierra Maestra mountains....spectacular scenery, wonderful people!

The Paraiso del Sol is ?? The book says...3 km. from Cabarete. That's all I know.

Dwight
Click to expand...

Dwight, you are right about this area of Cuba being remote. It's at the other end of the island, from my perspective, and I am sure it is beatiful there too. The Sierra Maestra mountains, famous mountains!. Have you ever visited the Vi?ales Valley in Pinar del Rio province? It's a breathtaking place, really beatiful. I am sure you will also discover more natural beauty in the DR, so do not regret your decision yet. Who knows, you may like it as much as you like Cuba.
 
R

Rocky

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Apr 4, 2002
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www.rockysbar.com
Paraiso Del Sol

Dwight said:
I booked Paraisa del Sol on a whim....and now I have "buyers remorse". I've been reading terrible reviews about the place.
Dwight
Click to expand...
Paraiso Del Sol is located in Sosua on the South side of the highway, near the gym.
The place is ok and the complaints you have heard may be based on the fact that people find it a bit inconvenient to cross the highway to walk to the beach and into town.
Some English speaking guests complain about staying in a German resort, as there are some cultural differences that they might not feel comfortable with.
If you get in touch with us when you arrive, we can hook you up with some other DR1ers living here in Sosua.
Marco.
 
NALs

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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The Dominican Republic and Cuba are practically the samething (add Puerto Rico to that mix as well).

Of course, there are differences, some more noticeable than others, but overall the general feeling is the same. In Cuba, you witness the DR under communism.

In the DR, you witness Cuba under capitalism.

In Puerto Rico, you witness the DR and Cuba if they were to become colonies of the USA - which both almost were at one point in time!

Overall, you will like the DR because the people are just as friendly as the Cubans, the scenery is just as breathtaking (the exception being that the mountains in the Central DR are way higher than anything else in the Caribbean, with some hanging valleys reaching well below 0 degrees at night, burr cold...

But, much of the island is tropical, rugged, and eternally beautiful!

Enjoy your stay!
 
D

Dwight

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Oct 2, 2004
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Rocky said:
Paraiso Del Sol is located in Sosua on the South side of the highway, near the gym.
The place is ok and the complaints you have heard may be based on the fact that people find it a bit inconvenient to cross the highway to walk to the beach and into town.
Some English speaking guests complain about staying in a German resort, as there are some cultural differences that they might not feel comfortable with.
If you get in touch with us when you arrive, we can hook you up with some other DR1ers living here in Sosua.
Marco.
Click to expand...

Hey Marco,

Thanks for your reply. Apparently I'm staying in a hut (villa?) on the beach that doesn't have AC....just a ceiling fan. I didn't know this is a German resort...do I need to add "Germinglish" to my "Spanglish"? haha.
What a generous offer!! It will be great to meet you...and others in the area.Knowing the "do's and "don'ts" at the beginning will be most welcome!

How will I find you?

Dwight
 
D

Dwight

New member
Oct 2, 2004
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Nal0whs said:
The Dominican Republic and Cuba are practically the samething (add Puerto Rico to that mix as well).

Of course, there are differences, some more noticeable than others, but overall the general feeling is the same. In Cuba, you witness the DR under communism.

In the DR, you witness Cuba under capitalism.

In Puerto Rico, you witness the DR and Cuba if they were to become colonies of the USA - which both almost were at one point in time!

Overall, you will like the DR because the people are just as friendly as the Cubans, the scenery is just as breathtaking (the exception being that the mountains in the Central DR are way higher than anything else in the Caribbean, with some hanging valleys reaching well below 0 degrees at night, burr cold...

But, much of the island is tropical, rugged, and eternally beautiful!

Enjoy your stay!
Click to expand...


Hi NalOwhs,

I hadn't thought of things quite that way before...but, it seems like a PERFECT analogy! I'm starting to warm up to the idea of beginning a new adventure in a new country. Thanks for the thoughtful insight.

Dwight
 
A

Apreton

Member
Sep 26, 2004
38
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Advice

I am having second thoughts about going to Cuba from Cancun now with Bush still in office. I have read somewhere that Bush hired informers in nearby countries' airports with direct flights to Cuba. I would not want to end up in one of those cages in Guantanamo or named terrorist over a short trip to Cuba. Even if I were to take a chance, how would I account for two entry and two exit stamps in my passport when entering the US?
 
C

CyaBye3015

Bronze
Jan 8, 2003
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Dwight said:
Hey Marco,

Thanks for your reply. Apparently I'm staying in a hut (villa?) on the beach that doesn't have AC....just a ceiling fan. I didn't know this is a German resort...do I need to add "Germinglish" to my "Spanglish"? haha.
What a generous offer!! It will be great to meet you...and others in the area.Knowing the "do's and "don'ts" at the beginning will be most welcome!

How will I find you?

Dwight
Click to expand...

Hey Dwight,

I'll be in Sosua on November 14th, many of us meet at Rockysbar (Marcos) http://www.rockysbar.com/ every morning for breakfast, (the breakfast club) there you'll get a chance to meet a lot of great people, and get some good advice.

See you there.

Joe
 
C

Chica7

New member
Sep 27, 2004
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No worries!

Hola Dwight,

LIsten I will give you my honest opinion about your situation. Paraiso Del Sol its self isn't the greatest hotel in the world and yes the beach is kinda far away but Republica Dominicana is amazing, I have friends that have travelled all throughout the Carribean and say that the RD is their fave. I personally have been their 4 times in the past year and I love it their. The good thing about your Hotel is that your close to Cabarete and Sosua which are amazing places to party, especially Cabarete there is a chain of bars and clubs lined up right on the beach playing music until almost sunrise and the parties are fun. About the people their, let me tell you that they are in my opinion the nicest people in the world, at least based on my opinion, just be nice and you will meet a lot of amazing people. Also, there is a really cool hotel about 30 minutes away from yours just to the East called Bahia Principe and try to make a trip their one night its also a fun place the hotel has a entertainment district located at its entrance with bars, casino, disco and a live band playing on the street and its open to locals and guests from other hotels. Have a great time and if you have any questions feel free to ask me,

Adios
 
B

Bonita Morena

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Sep 24, 2004
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I agree, you'll have a blast enjoy the DR!!
Chica7 said:
Hola Dwight,

LIsten I will give you my honest opinion about your situation. Paraiso Del Sol its self isn't the greatest hotel in the world and yes the beach is kinda far away but Republica Dominicana is amazing, I have friends that have travelled all throughout the Carribean and say that the RD is their fave. I personally have been their 4 times in the past year and I love it their. The good thing about your Hotel is that your close to Cabarete and Sosua which are amazing places to party, especially Cabarete there is a chain of bars and clubs lined up right on the beach playing music until almost sunrise and the parties are fun. About the people their, let me tell you that they are in my opinion the nicest people in the world, at least based on my opinion, just be nice and you will meet a lot of amazing people. Also, there is a really cool hotel about 30 minutes away from yours just to the East called Bahia Principe and try to make a trip their one night its also a fun place the hotel has a entertainment district located at its entrance with bars, casino, disco and a live band playing on the street and its open to locals and guests from other hotels. Have a great time and if you have any questions feel free to ask me,

Adios
Click to expand...
 
J

juancarlos

Bronze
Sep 28, 2003
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Apreton said:
I am having second thoughts about going to Cuba from Cancun now with Bush still in office. I have read somewhere that Bush hired informers in nearby countries' airports with direct flights to Cuba. I would not want to end up in one of those cages in Guantanamo or named terrorist over a short trip to Cuba. Even if I were to take a chance, how would I account for two entry and two exit stamps in my passport when entering the US?
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that authorities in Cuba do not stamp your passport. They give you a tourist card instead. As far as informers at airports, I don't know, those may be rumors but, still, if I were you, I would wait until after the Nov. 2 elections. Perhaps next year things will change, regardless of who is office. As of now, American bussinessmen and agro farmers are allowed to go to Havana and meet with Fidel if they so desire. That's the irony of it! Under the same regulations, I can't travel to Cuba either, even thoug I was born there and still have relatives. I'll wait, things are far from good in Cuba right now anyway, Castro has just announced more restrictions on the Cuban people and I don't think that travelling there is worth the risk.
My advice is to wait.
 
S

sunnyvillas

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Apr 29, 2003
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Rocky said:
Paraiso Del Sol is located in Sosua on the South side of the highway, near the gym.
The place is ok and the complaints you have heard may be based on the fact that people find it a bit inconvenient to cross the highway to walk to the beach and into town.
Some English speaking guests complain about staying in a German resort, as there are some cultural differences that they might not feel comfortable with.
If you get in touch with us when you arrive, we can hook you up with some other DR1ers living here in Sosua.
Marco.
Click to expand...

Marco,
You are thinking of Paraiso de Colon:))))) ;)
 
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