Returned from a wonderful, affordable 11 night vacation in Puerto Plata from July 16- July 27 with my family (myself, my brother and my mother). We stayed at Grand Oasis Marien and booked many tours (La Isabela Historica, City Tour, Jeep Safari, Santo Domingo (although it was cancelled), and Paradise Island (Punta Ruisa)). The Dominican Republic certainly lived up to our expectations. The funny thing is that I read these forums along with yahoo travels night and day and everyone said the best way to experience the real DR was to meet a local and have him show you around. Well being the adventurous person I am, I did just that at the resort on the first day (I will spare his name as I don't want to sacrifice his job), but he was a great honest friend and he picked me up nearly everyday after he got off work (outside the resort in costa dorada) and showed me around the city. We went to El bumba, the bullpen, el malecon, sosua and everywhere else you could imagine in and around town! We even went to the Antony Santos concert across from Playa Dorada. I speak a little spanish and I'm dark skinned to begin with (so everyone thought I was dominican anyway) so I fit in just fine. I met several Europeans and Americans who relocated to Puerto Plata, and they became my good friends as well. Not surprisingly, I'm going back in December and I'm renting an apartment which will be much cheaper than a resort!
Thanks to everyone on this forum for providing such useful and important information for travelers!
Thanks to everyone on this forum for providing such useful and important information for travelers!
