Boca Chica or Juan Dolio?

peet

New member
Aug 10, 2008
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Hi forum members!

Me and my wife would like to spend two weeks on the South coast in the month of October with the intention of relaxing and visiting the capital with the gua-gua. We have been checking maps on internet to find a good "home" location but we don't know what to choose. We need an hotel close to the gua-gua and an internetshop and telehone communications ( an Orange shop where I can buy a new prepaid sim-card would be just fine).
I've been thinking about :
Boca Chica : Don Juan Beach Hotel
Juan Dolio : Coral Costa Caribe or Barcelo Capelo Resort
Which of these three would you recommend us?
We are looking for an hotel with food that doesn't make you sick and where we can have a good night rest.

We visited the DR several times - always in All ins -but never stayed on the South coast.
We thank you for your advise.
 
Jun 18, 2007
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A good alternative in Boca Chica might be the Rolling Stone, it's not AI but they have a restaurant, right on the beach and very comfortable.
Hotel Club Rolling Stone - Home


Hi forum members!

Me and my wife would like to spend two weeks on the South coast in the month of October with the intention of relaxing and visiting the capital with the gua-gua. We have been checking maps on internet to find a good "home" location but we don't know what to choose. We need an hotel close to the gua-gua and an internetshop and telehone communications ( an Orange shop where I can buy a new prepaid sim-card would be just fine).
I've been thinking about :
Boca Chica : Don Juan Beach Hotel
Juan Dolio : Coral Costa Caribe or Barcelo Capelo Resort
Which of these three would you recommend us?
We are looking for an hotel with food that doesn't make you sick and where we can have a good night rest.

We visited the DR several times - always in All ins -but never stayed on the South coast.
We thank you for your advise.
 

Matilda

RIP Lindsay
Sep 13, 2006
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it might also be worth considering Hotel Esmerelda in Guayacanes

"All-Inclusive Hotel Playa Esmeralda, Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Dominican Republic,Juan Dolio"

Guayacanes is between Juan Dolio and Boca Chica. Very close for guaguas to the capital, lovely beach, quiet, great food and walking distance to some other lovely beach front restaurants. You can choose whether to have AI or not - probably not worth it if you want to go to capital a few times. Main advantage is that it is very quiet, whereas the all inclusives can be noisy with discos, and poolside animation all day long.

Matilda
 

jalencastro

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Dec 15, 2004
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I agree with matilda! Juan Dolio is so nice and very quiet! the beaches are superb and food reasonably priced around town, you will not be dissapointed! save yourself the hassle of an AI and save the money to use for getting around town or to la capital.
how long a stay are you planning? there is a good contact there in town: Dre Broeders [i believe he also posts here] who can help you get long term stays if needed [beautiful apartments] with their own pool and in some cases private beach as well!
good luck and enjoy your stay in Juan Dolio if you choose to stay there :)
 
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peet

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Aug 10, 2008
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Hi folks,

Thank you all very much for your answers, advice and links posted on this forum. It has been very helpfull to me.

peet
 
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greydread

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Jan 3, 2007
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Better Beaches

Juan Dolio

Boca Chica is a reef protected beach and more suited to bathing than swimming.

Juan Dolio is cleaner and better for swimmers, doesn't have the hoarde of vendors trying to sell you everything you ever didn't ever want all day and ....well...just a less hectic kind of place than Boca Chica.

Don't bring your own sand to the wrong beach.
 
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caramel_cakes

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Apr 4, 2010
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I too want to go on a vacation around November or December i want to be close to the capital. I am having trouble deciding between Boca Chica and Juan Dolio i want to stay in an ai I was thinking either Coral Costa Caribe Resort or Be Live Hamaca have anyone been there or can someone give me advice I plan on going with a friend we are both ladies in our mid 20s we just want to party and have fun while being in a nice safe place with lots of activities good food and awesome beaches thanks..;);)
 

aarhus

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Jun 10, 2008
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Boca Chica

I too want to go on a vacation around November or December i want to be close to the capital. I am having trouble deciding between Boca Chica and Juan Dolio i want to stay in an ai I was thinking either Coral Costa Caribe Resort or Be Live Hamaca have anyone been there or can someone give me advice I plan on going with a friend we are both ladies in our mid 20s we just want to party and have fun while being in a nice safe place with lots of activities good food and awesome beaches thanks..;);)

I would say Boca Chica. At least there are people there. I mean Juan Dolio was not build to be an eco-tourism place. It was build so a lot of people would go live and spend their vacation there. There seems to be nobody there. If you where going because you want a peacefull beach I would choose a part of country in the east or Samana where you dont have to look at a lot of empty condo buildings. Boca Chica has a lot of hustlers etc... But then stay around your hotel at night and you will be fine. And you will be closer to Santo Domingo.
 
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Lizzard

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Sep 11, 2006
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I happen to love Boca Chica :) Sure it has its seedy side especially at night, however went to Juan Dolio last yr for a visit. The town is empty lovely beaches and tons of construction. I have never seen so many empty buildings in one town before. There are tons of half finished complexes all over. The beaches were empty. Lots of people put down Boca Chica but I happen to love the big reef protected lagoon. :) Many tourists there every time I visit. Not all toursists are there for the Putas!! Lots of choice for great food and good times. And the closeness to the Capital is great. Will be on Boca Chica late Nov for 15 days, can`t wait.

Lizzard :)
 

caramel_cakes

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Apr 4, 2010
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thanks for your help i decided to go to Boca Chica i already booked everything i am going to be on the resort for 7 days and in Santo Domingo for 4 days i still need to find a hotel in sd any suggestions? also what do you guys mean by hustlers is it unsafe to hang out at night? thanks
 
Jun 18, 2007
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thanks for your help i decided to go to Boca Chica i already booked everything i am going to be on the resort for 7 days and in Santo Domingo for 4 days i still need to find a hotel in sd any suggestions? also what do you guys mean by hustlers is it unsafe to hang out at night? thanks

Be sure you'll visit the Boat House, a great place to hang out on the beach and vendors can't bug you there. It also has free wi fi.
http://www.dr1.com/forums/south-coast/104511-boat-house-boca-chica.html
 

RonS

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Oct 18, 2004
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In Santo Domingo, check out the Mercure. It's a French hotel chain on El Conde in the Colonial Zone and central to the historic sites. The rooms are small but very nice and well kept. Also, the last time I stayed at the Mercure a full buffet breakfast was included. If you choose to book there make sure to ask for an interior room away from the side street and El Conde.

Mercure Comercial Santo Domingo: Hotel reservation with Mercure in SANTO DOMINGO