My fiance and I recently made a decision to visit DR for the first time this coming Feb, and we've been stressing ever since. Being notorious pre-planners, we're lost in a sea of indecision because we want to do everything in a relatively short amount of time-- and in an area that's seemingly very difficult to get anywhere fast.
About us:
Never been to DR before, only speak English, love to see 'real' cities (eat local food stands, shop where locals shop, etc), and are pained by the idea of missing the best of what the country offers by being confined within the walls of an all-inclusive for our entire trip. We're torn between the real possibility we may never have the opportunity to return to DR (so want to experience it all now) -- or -- if we do return where we want to spend all our time on the next trip (see it all now to know what we like 'best').
Here are some details:
Our perfect wish list: whale watching, carnival (read La Vega was the best), snorkeling, Samana peninsula (most beautiful from what we've read)
What's locked in: 3 nights in an all-inclusive in Punta Cana (staying with family), flying in and out of Punta Cana
What's undetermined: length of stay (option 1 (10 nights)-- arrive Fri noon, dept Mon noon; option 2 (7 nights): arrive Mon noon, dept Mon noon)
Plan A--
Day 1 (F): Arrive Punta Cana airport, take bus to Santo Domingo
Day 2 (Sat): See SD, take afternoon charter flight to Samana Peninsula
Day 3-5 (Sun, Mon, Tues): Stay Samana Peninsula
Day 6 (W): Take afternoon charter flight to PC
Day 7-9 (Thurs, Fri, Sat): Stay PC
Day 10 (Sun): Go to SD (carnival), stay in SD
Day 11 (Mon): Dept PC airport
Problem: concerned our plans are too aggressive (time and distance), charter flights (expensive, and haven't be able to successfully connect with companies via phone or email)
Plan B--
Day 1 (M): Arrive Punta Cana airport, take bus to La Romana area
Day 2 -3 (T, W): stay La Romana area
Day 4-6 (Thurs, Fri, Sat): Stay PC
Day 7 (Sun): Go to SD (carnival), stay SD
Day 8 (Mon): Dept PC airport
Problem: feel missing out of the best the country has to offer-- the Samana Peninsula
Can anyone offer thoughts that would help us make a decision? Thanks!
About us:
Never been to DR before, only speak English, love to see 'real' cities (eat local food stands, shop where locals shop, etc), and are pained by the idea of missing the best of what the country offers by being confined within the walls of an all-inclusive for our entire trip. We're torn between the real possibility we may never have the opportunity to return to DR (so want to experience it all now) -- or -- if we do return where we want to spend all our time on the next trip (see it all now to know what we like 'best').
Here are some details:
Our perfect wish list: whale watching, carnival (read La Vega was the best), snorkeling, Samana peninsula (most beautiful from what we've read)
What's locked in: 3 nights in an all-inclusive in Punta Cana (staying with family), flying in and out of Punta Cana
What's undetermined: length of stay (option 1 (10 nights)-- arrive Fri noon, dept Mon noon; option 2 (7 nights): arrive Mon noon, dept Mon noon)
Plan A--
Day 1 (F): Arrive Punta Cana airport, take bus to Santo Domingo
Day 2 (Sat): See SD, take afternoon charter flight to Samana Peninsula
Day 3-5 (Sun, Mon, Tues): Stay Samana Peninsula
Day 6 (W): Take afternoon charter flight to PC
Day 7-9 (Thurs, Fri, Sat): Stay PC
Day 10 (Sun): Go to SD (carnival), stay in SD
Day 11 (Mon): Dept PC airport
Problem: concerned our plans are too aggressive (time and distance), charter flights (expensive, and haven't be able to successfully connect with companies via phone or email)
Plan B--
Day 1 (M): Arrive Punta Cana airport, take bus to La Romana area
Day 2 -3 (T, W): stay La Romana area
Day 4-6 (Thurs, Fri, Sat): Stay PC
Day 7 (Sun): Go to SD (carnival), stay SD
Day 8 (Mon): Dept PC airport
Problem: feel missing out of the best the country has to offer-- the Samana Peninsula
Can anyone offer thoughts that would help us make a decision? Thanks!