Have recently spent a few days in both Boca Chica and then on the Atlantic in Cararete. Hope my feedback will be useful to others planning to travel there, especially if it's their first time.
The taxi from the SDQ airport to Boca Chica was $20.00US. The first quote was 45$!! While there i stayed at the Hamaca Coral Hilton. It's an all inclusive and as you may or may not know, you wear a distintive blue wristband. When I'd go to walk into the town to meet others, shop etc . I'd turn it over to it's white side and sometimes would wear a watch over it. Found I was approached less often. For my needs, Hamaca was just perfect. I probably will return there in Feb.
Spoke with othes staying elsewhere in Boca Chica. There were significant differences. If you choose to do so, you may want to ask some questions. Some examples - Is the bathroom in your room or is it shared? Do you have a ceiling fan? What about hot water? The sea might be a block away but, is it a sandy beach or is it a pier where you walk to the end and dive off. This may not meet the needs of families with small children, nor non swimmers. Or perhaps your beach is a public one and though it's officially down the street, it's a bit of a walk. When one uses the term 'public', it means that peddlers, etc. can hover around. Where i could be alone at my beach, I could leave my book and sandels on my lounge and take to the water, fully expecting that when i returned, both items would be there. I never heard of anyone having anything stolen during my short time there but I don't think I would go in the water if i were alone and leave things on my towel at a public one..
Cabarete was very nice. I stayed at the Villa Taina. It's on the Atlantic with it's rougher water as compared the the coral reef lagoon of Boca Chica. The place has wonderful breakfasts and the same outdoor restaurant has very tasty dinners. Across the street from the Villa is a pasta/pizza place. The pasta was the better choice. A lovely long spread of public beach for walks. Very few peddlers and not the pesty variety. Water sports are popular there and a company called Iguana advertises that they can arrange for dirt biking, horseback riding etc and state that they are environmentally friendly/sensitive. In Nov., I think rain in Boca Chica was counted in drops. The same time of year in Nagua and Cabarete called for brief but heavy showers. Fortunately for me these were often overnight.
Out the front door of the Villa and heading to your left will take you to a very large supermarket called Jenny's. it's about a 10 minute walk. Prices are lower than in some of the closer stores. This could be important to you if you were renting. Cabarete is about a 4 hr. drive from the Santo Domingo airport, so if planning to spend time in the north, you should probably consider flying directly to one of their other airpports .
One last thought comes to mind - if you're going to choose an all inclusive, I'd suggest you post the name of the place so you can get some feed back. You may find the food is just awful so that you're having to go out for your lunch and dinner. If you get several reports of a place with terrible food, you may want to believe them. Hope this was helpful.
The taxi from the SDQ airport to Boca Chica was $20.00US. The first quote was 45$!! While there i stayed at the Hamaca Coral Hilton. It's an all inclusive and as you may or may not know, you wear a distintive blue wristband. When I'd go to walk into the town to meet others, shop etc . I'd turn it over to it's white side and sometimes would wear a watch over it. Found I was approached less often. For my needs, Hamaca was just perfect. I probably will return there in Feb.
Spoke with othes staying elsewhere in Boca Chica. There were significant differences. If you choose to do so, you may want to ask some questions. Some examples - Is the bathroom in your room or is it shared? Do you have a ceiling fan? What about hot water? The sea might be a block away but, is it a sandy beach or is it a pier where you walk to the end and dive off. This may not meet the needs of families with small children, nor non swimmers. Or perhaps your beach is a public one and though it's officially down the street, it's a bit of a walk. When one uses the term 'public', it means that peddlers, etc. can hover around. Where i could be alone at my beach, I could leave my book and sandels on my lounge and take to the water, fully expecting that when i returned, both items would be there. I never heard of anyone having anything stolen during my short time there but I don't think I would go in the water if i were alone and leave things on my towel at a public one..
Cabarete was very nice. I stayed at the Villa Taina. It's on the Atlantic with it's rougher water as compared the the coral reef lagoon of Boca Chica. The place has wonderful breakfasts and the same outdoor restaurant has very tasty dinners. Across the street from the Villa is a pasta/pizza place. The pasta was the better choice. A lovely long spread of public beach for walks. Very few peddlers and not the pesty variety. Water sports are popular there and a company called Iguana advertises that they can arrange for dirt biking, horseback riding etc and state that they are environmentally friendly/sensitive. In Nov., I think rain in Boca Chica was counted in drops. The same time of year in Nagua and Cabarete called for brief but heavy showers. Fortunately for me these were often overnight.
Out the front door of the Villa and heading to your left will take you to a very large supermarket called Jenny's. it's about a 10 minute walk. Prices are lower than in some of the closer stores. This could be important to you if you were renting. Cabarete is about a 4 hr. drive from the Santo Domingo airport, so if planning to spend time in the north, you should probably consider flying directly to one of their other airpports .
One last thought comes to mind - if you're going to choose an all inclusive, I'd suggest you post the name of the place so you can get some feed back. You may find the food is just awful so that you're having to go out for your lunch and dinner. If you get several reports of a place with terrible food, you may want to believe them. Hope this was helpful.
(but the chinese chicken is the best food in BC)