Opinion on resorts

I personally cant recommend the dr highly enough, its a beautiful place, friendly people and I wouldnt want to go anywhere else.
I cant comment on your choice of hotels tho im sure someone can help you there also try in the review section on this site. Im a north coast fan myself so would point you to caberete but im told the beaches in punta cana are fantastic.
I dont feel safety is an issue in the dr more than anywhere else so long as you're sensible and dont flash cash, wear loads of jewelery and talk on your new cell phone.
Have a brilliant time get out of the resort and see a bit of the island im sure you'll be back

Nic

I cant comment on either resort but im sure there is plenty of other people who can. Both beaches are gorgeous.

As far as safety goes inside the resort you will have no problems. Of course you should be safe. I wouldnt be so concerned talking on a cellphone in Caberete or Punta Cana even outside the resorts but dont flash large sums of cash around. Its not even as much thinking you will be mugged its that you will find you all of a sudden have all sorts of "friends". It is possible to run into a problem a little worse but odds are definitely against it. Just think of it like your going out in any major city. Keep small bills accessible to pay for things if you do have a large amount in your pocket. Dont flash overly expensive jewelry around or look like the richest guy in town.

Its like parking your car on a street where cars have been stolen on occasion. You dont want to put a ferrari there but if you park a car similar looking to all the rest youll be ok.

Resorts

Windsurf in Cabarete is a decent beach.

Breezes Punta Cana has an awesome beach.

Both locations are serviced by different airports and if you were to travel between the two by vehicle it is a good 8 hours.

dr is amazing- beautiful places, beautiful people, however, I advise you NOT to stay at Breezes- often lots of sickness etc... not nice! Playa dorada has lovely AI hotels, nice beach, good plaza and night life. Its close to airport and within easy distance of the fantastic Ocean World, where I would recommend swimming with dolphins. Also, catamarans are fantastic!

Dave78,

Welcome to DR1. This is the place to get the answers to any questions you have concerning the DR.

To give you my answer to your question I must say that it depends on what you want to do in your time with us. If you are looking to stay in and close to your resort then my suggestion would be to stay at Punta Cana as that is the better beach. If, on the other hand your desire is to get out amongst the natives then I would suggest Cabarete area.

Punta Cana is newer of the two areas and was build up in the middle of almost nothing and it is still expanding. Due to its newness and location the things that are available to the visitor are not as well established as they are on the North coast which was established many years ago.

Both have good beaches but PC beaches are nicer. In my opinion the choice depends on how much exposure you want with local Dominicans and if that is part of your agenda then I suggest Cabarete.

As to crime I would suggest that you act as you do in your own country and you should have no problems. One area does not seem to be better then the other as to crimes not being committed. Very seldom do we have problems with crimes against tourists.

I know you will enjoy your stay with us here in paradise regardless as to which resort you stay in and I hope this helps.

Rick

We just had friends come back from Breezes 2 weeks ago. Three out of 4 got sick form the food. They told me they'd Never go back. You probably won't leave the resort, because there aren't really any towns around Punta Cana is new, big resorts but no towns. Cabarete and Sousa I think are much better. Check with your agent there are manny nice resorts in the area. Try Club Azzora or Sousa Bay hotel If you want AI. Just a thought.

You can also get opinions at www.debbiesdominicantravels.com

If you need more help get "wud" to help you.

HB

Breezes

I stayed at Breezes Punta Cana recently. It was nice enough - I'm sure there's nicer resorts out there, but for it's age, it's not bad. The beach was exquisite though. Walking in the sand was like walking in flour, it was so soft. And the water was crystal clear blue - very beautiful.

I didn't see any city life near there, but then again, I wasn't looking for it. I heard there was a town or city "Bavaro" near there but we didn't go so I can't tell you what it's like. Lots of street market kind of places were nearby to buy souveniers, you have to really bargain the prices, they will try to gouge you for alot of $$$ if you aren't good at bargaining. But there was alot of things to do there - parasailing, banana boat, snorkel tours, horseback riding. If you don't want to leave the resort, this is probably a good place to go, IMO. But if you want to experience life outside, then you're probably better off going to another area of the DR. Unless you can find someone to tell you more about Bavaro, or other things that are near there.

Edited to add - me and my friend did NOT get sick.

Windsurf Resort

This is largely Canadian owned--long track record in town. One of the few II exchanges where you are not forced to take an all-inclusive meal plan. Some II Exchangers don't understand that--and are shocked to find that they have a huge bill and no choice of where to eat when they arrive for their exchange at other resorts.

Windsurf has a newly-redesigned restaurant, a lovely palapa bar next to the pool, and a very friendly seasoned staff.

It is well-located--a short stroll from the restaurants of Cabarete, but it is not ocean front. However, it has a relationship with Cabarate's Bic Windsurf center that serves as a beachfront outpost of the resort. You can use its facilities and it might as well be part of the Windsurf in a practical sense.

This beach outpost has a fabulous restaurant bar with great menu and ambience.

So you have a two block walk to the beach access--if you have stayed at large resorts, the distance from your room/condo to the beach may in fact have been longer than two blocks, so don't let that put you off.

You will have a real condo--full kitchen, large outdoor space (patio or balcony).

It is very very owner-centered--highly regarded by II. Therefore it is difficult to get an exchange if you want to go in winter. Many owners only use it in winter, so II gets access from summer through fall.

www.windsurfcabarete.com is the website. This would be a good choice if you can get in.