Ola! the plaza is only 5 min. away and you will find every thing you need there. We did not find it expensive at all.Certainley alot cheaper than the beach vendors But not as fun. I bought most of my souvieners at the Plaza it is bigger than it looks probably close to 50 different shops all with something alittle different.On the rainy days its a great place to go.
- Thread starter CC@Langham
- Start date
Holiday Village Resort
- Status
Ola! the plaza is only 5 min. away and you will find every thing you need there. We did not find it expensive at all.Certainley alot cheaper than the beach vendors But not as fun. I bought most of my souvieners at the Plaza it is bigger than it looks probably close to 50 different shops all with something alittle different.On the rainy days its a great place to go.
hi all, great place 
i'm going january 16 to 23, will keep u updated, i am sure it will be fantastic.
i'm going january 16 to 23, will keep u updated, i am sure it will be fantastic.Hi I just have a question about volley ball at the HV. My family, two adults and two older teenagers are looking for a resort with a great beach volley ball program. I have not seen any volleyball courts on the beach pictures.
Can anybody help out? thanks
Can anybody help out? thanks
Thanks for answering. Sorry I worded it wrong. When we were in mexico last year at the Barcelo, there were volley ball matches going on all day long, from sun up till sun down. Many of them were just pick up games but there was always someone from the hotel reffing and making sure everyone had fun. they also had set times for organized matches. This is what we are looking for again. Thanks again for your answer.
Again - I am happy to help.
Sleep: highly over rated and for mere mortals. I happen to have a super woman cape and I wear it all the time................... LOL
Seriously, answering all these questions doesn't take me long. And I type really really fast.....LOL
Volleyball: almost every hotel has an activities schedule that includes beach volleyball daily and water volleyball daily. I don't know the schedule at this hotel. But, I can guarantee you can feel free to get a game going anytime you want! Hey, I will join in too...... I love beach volleyball.
Sleep: highly over rated and for mere mortals. I happen to have a super woman cape and I wear it all the time................... LOL
Seriously, answering all these questions doesn't take me long. And I type really really fast.....LOL
Volleyball: almost every hotel has an activities schedule that includes beach volleyball daily and water volleyball daily. I don't know the schedule at this hotel. But, I can guarantee you can feel free to get a game going anytime you want! Hey, I will join in too...... I love beach volleyball.
Ola!I just wanted to say one thing about the swim-up bars. I being a prairie girl was also very intrigued with the pool bars, until we started noticing that alot of those big belly beer drinkers, could sit there ALL day never once leaving their stool.UMM good kidneys we figured. ewwww
Running and Cycling
Hi Runner..
I ran 5-10k on the beach itself several times when down a number of years ago and it was a wonderful experience. I assume it will be the same today (is this correct, planner?). The daily workouts certainly made the food and drink even more enjoyable, with no net weight gain to boot.
Planner - are bicycles available at the Holiday Village?
Thanks planner for all your info! Merry Christmas!
..quote from runner..
"1. I am a runner and run daily. Are there boardwalks around the beach or roads that are easily accessible from HV? Is it safe to run alone most mornings off of the resort?"
Hi Runner..
I ran 5-10k on the beach itself several times when down a number of years ago and it was a wonderful experience. I assume it will be the same today (is this correct, planner?). The daily workouts certainly made the food and drink even more enjoyable, with no net weight gain to boot.
Planner - are bicycles available at the Holiday Village?
Thanks planner for all your info! Merry Christmas!
..quote from runner..
"1. I am a runner and run daily. Are there boardwalks around the beach or roads that are easily accessible from HV? Is it safe to run alone most mornings off of the resort?"
boogiewgirl - If you call me I will come meet you for a chat. I don't work for the resort or the tour operators or live on the resort. But I am only 5 minutes away.
kuhny - the beach is even better then before. It has been rebuilt and cleaned up! Yes there are bicycles.
Their is a road right out front that goes around the inside of the resort. You are also right on a golf course and you can run the beach. Yes it is safe to run in the mornings alone.
jeloki - I have one thing to say ......... YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kuhny - the beach is even better then before. It has been rebuilt and cleaned up! Yes there are bicycles.
Their is a road right out front that goes around the inside of the resort. You are also right on a golf course and you can run the beach. Yes it is safe to run in the mornings alone.
jeloki - I have one thing to say ......... YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info about running and safety. On holidays, I like to run before the family gets up and start the day off alive - nice to know it's safe. What about taking them in Puerto Plata itself? Is that a fairly safe place to venture for an afternoon or morning or should they confine their shopping excursion to local market and Plaza. The 15 year old sure loves her shopping. Me? A run, then a cold beer.
Thanks again - going in 4 days (just as it's starting to get cold here -happy, happy)
aka - runner
Thanks again - going in 4 days (just as it's starting to get cold here -happy, happy)
aka - runner
It is very safe to go to Puerto Plata! Like all cities you are in just use your head! Keep your money close to your body, don't carry a lot of it, no flashy jewellery etc. Be polite at all times and smile, you will be appreciated much more and helped!
So how to get to town:
1. Take the very very expensive Playa Dorada taxis.
2. LEave the resort - turn right on the road and go out to the main gate. Watch for either a carro publico or a gua gua. THe gua gua most likely will look like a beat up old van. The driver will pull over to the side of the road. It should cost about 20 pesos a person. Ask for "parque central or central park". If he says si or yes, sqeeze in. (I will try to find out which routes go to central park)
Getting home:
This time forget the gua gua. Take an inexpensive regular taxi. Cost is less then 200 pesos.
To do in town: first look for a guide - dont worry they will find you. They have blue shirts and are official guides.
Parque Central - very pretty.
The church - right there in the square.
Casa Nelson - our version of a department store.
Ambar Museum - fascinating.
Lots of side streets,shopping etc.
10 minute walk to Fort San Felipe - worth the walk
On the way home ask the driver to take you to the rum factory if you so choose. NOt much to see but great slushy rum drink at the end.....
Now runner - in my opinion anyone who gets up to go running must be a sick puppie! Of course you redeemed yourself saying you will drink beer after.
My idea of excercise is a 3 to 4 hours of latin dancing! And of course a little bit of cuba libre to keep me from becoming parched.
See you when you come down here!
So how to get to town:
1. Take the very very expensive Playa Dorada taxis.
2. LEave the resort - turn right on the road and go out to the main gate. Watch for either a carro publico or a gua gua. THe gua gua most likely will look like a beat up old van. The driver will pull over to the side of the road. It should cost about 20 pesos a person. Ask for "parque central or central park". If he says si or yes, sqeeze in. (I will try to find out which routes go to central park)
Getting home:
This time forget the gua gua. Take an inexpensive regular taxi. Cost is less then 200 pesos.
To do in town: first look for a guide - dont worry they will find you. They have blue shirts and are official guides.
Parque Central - very pretty.
The church - right there in the square.
Casa Nelson - our version of a department store.
Ambar Museum - fascinating.
Lots of side streets,shopping etc.
10 minute walk to Fort San Felipe - worth the walk
On the way home ask the driver to take you to the rum factory if you so choose. NOt much to see but great slushy rum drink at the end.....
Now runner - in my opinion anyone who gets up to go running must be a sick puppie! Of course you redeemed yourself saying you will drink beer after.
My idea of excercise is a 3 to 4 hours of latin dancing! And of course a little bit of cuba libre to keep me from becoming parched.
See you when you come down here!
hi planner,
how much are the guides and are they worth it?
i know i want to go to the amber museum and the shopping centre.
thanks
how much are the guides and are they worth it?
i know i want to go to the amber museum and the shopping centre.
thanks
The guides work for "gratuities" and whatever commissions they have negotiated in stores. They are all licensed so do have training and many are very very knowledgeable. I think it is well worth it.
My only advice is to let them know up front you want to go where you want to go. If you want to go into a store - then have them take you in. Don't just go where they take you as that is the best commission for them.
On the whole most will give you a good tour. OH I forgot to tell you all, when going into town you MUST stop at Mariposa - the ice cream shop. I love their home made ice cream! The best in the city.
My only advice is to let them know up front you want to go where you want to go. If you want to go into a store - then have them take you in. Don't just go where they take you as that is the best commission for them.
On the whole most will give you a good tour. OH I forgot to tell you all, when going into town you MUST stop at Mariposa - the ice cream shop. I love their home made ice cream! The best in the city.
Runner . . . early morning run is great - you don't want to go after about 8:30 or 9:00 - unless you like the heat! I usually go about 7:00 and it is great. If you go to the gates of Holiday Village, turn left and run along the sidewalk to the highway entrance and then run back, it is very pleasant - you go past all the hotels in the complex and along the golf course, see many tourists walking or running, see staff arriving and the grounds people doing their thing at the golf course and various hotels. You may choose to leave the Playa Dorada complex at this point and run along the highway but it tends to be pretty busy and the pollution level doesn't make for a great run. Some people do a late afternoon run through the paths on the golf course - but after the golfers are gone - but it can be pretty taxing if you have been at the beach or out in the heat all day! The rebuilt beach looks pretty good and is another alternative, if you like running on sand. Planner is providing you all such good information! Follow her advice! This is our 14th year - 13 at this resort - and we are anxiously awaiting our return trip!
Firstly ,Seasons Greetings to everyone.
Slowly reviews are appearing on similar sites, but this seems to be the best.
Sorry to ask again,but does anyone have any pictures of the rooms yet? Planner any luck with pictures of the Royal Suites?
Slowly reviews are appearing on similar sites, but this seems to be the best.
Sorry to ask again,but does anyone have any pictures of the rooms yet? Planner any luck with pictures of the Royal Suites?
No luck, if anyone is going to be staying or is staying in a Royal Suite, can I come take some photos??? They are pretty booked according to the hotel and I can't get in to take the photos if they are occupied.
More info soon! I will be meeting with the tour operator soon.
More info soon! I will be meeting with the tour operator soon.
Hey Planner,
Merry Christmas and to everyone as well. Last time I was there we went on the Monster Truck excursion. We were dropped off in PP. Is this where their office is located?
Secondly, should we booked directly through them? I am trying to avoid booking though the hotel as I know they take a cut. (just not sure how big the cut is)
Does anyone know the price for this excursion? I know there will be vairying prices, thus I would like to know where I could get the best price in advance.
Thanks.
Ron aka Ottawa
Merry Christmas and to everyone as well. Last time I was there we went on the Monster Truck excursion. We were dropped off in PP. Is this where their office is located?
Secondly, should we booked directly through them? I am trying to avoid booking though the hotel as I know they take a cut. (just not sure how big the cut is)
Does anyone know the price for this excursion? I know there will be vairying prices, thus I would like to know where I could get the best price in advance.
Thanks.
Ron aka Ottawa
HI Ron,
No the Monster Truck office is not in downtown POP. It is on the way into town. Currently it is priced at $75 US per person.
But, here is a question: if you did that one last time, why not try a different excursion? There are several jeep safari type excursions, take a look at the others. Do a search on this website and check out other people's recommendations.
Actually it isn't the hotel you book thru most likely it is your Tour Operator ie Signature Vacations. Yes they get a cut - called commissions. Here is what I recommend: do your research and know what you want to do. Compare prices. IF it is reasonable and your representative and tour operator give you good service - then book thru them. In many cases this is how your representative earns their money.
No matter how you book, someone will earn a commission......... that is how it works down here.
No the Monster Truck office is not in downtown POP. It is on the way into town. Currently it is priced at $75 US per person.
But, here is a question: if you did that one last time, why not try a different excursion? There are several jeep safari type excursions, take a look at the others. Do a search on this website and check out other people's recommendations.
Actually it isn't the hotel you book thru most likely it is your Tour Operator ie Signature Vacations. Yes they get a cut - called commissions. Here is what I recommend: do your research and know what you want to do. Compare prices. IF it is reasonable and your representative and tour operator give you good service - then book thru them. In many cases this is how your representative earns their money.
No matter how you book, someone will earn a commission......... that is how it works down here.
- Status