I'm trying to be adventurous.... please help!
Hello! I've been to the Dominician Republic 4 times. I speak fairly good Spanish and am fluent in French and English as well. Each time I go to a resort, I usually take one of the "in house" tour packages to Peurto Plata or Sosua for the day to buy jewlery, coffee or things I just can't buy in the resort store. I really like the resorts, but I LOVE getting into the cities to talk with locals, shop at local stores, eat at Dominican food and take in the DOminican culture. Each time I take one of these "in house tours" they cost about 100$ US. Granted, that's travel, lunch, bus, everything included. This time, I'm determined to do things MY way! I want to take a taxi from my resort (Bahia Principale San Juan) TO Puerto Plata. I want to chose my own place for lunch, visit the Amber museum (again), shop at some local jewelery stores and have lunch. I don't think this is really too hard, but I"m a bit scared! I don't have a map of Puerto Plata, and also, I don't know anything about the taxi services and how much they should/will cost. I have learned the art of bartering, but if the taxi is coming to a resort, should I expect an inflated cost? I want to make my OWN day tour.... I just want to get in a taxi and go to Peurto Plata without having to use the "in house" tour companies. The last one was through Barcelo Viajes, it was wonderful but SO expensive. Am I making a mistake here? Should I just be a good Canadian and stay on my resort unless I"m willing to travel with a tour package? I would rather spend my money on local items such as jewelry and cusine than pay a touring company $100 US (EACH I might add...) to take my husband and I shopping for a day. I love the DOminican people, I just want to spend a day in Peurto Plata.. is that so hard? I would welcome ANY and ALL comments from people who think I'm crazy, or.... people who have ventured off their resorts in the past. I'll welcome horror stories and success stories alike. Please send any and all comments to ms.michaud@teacher.com
I fly out Dec 17, 2004. Cheers, and thanks all. Sorry for the long posting!
Hello! I've been to the Dominician Republic 4 times. I speak fairly good Spanish and am fluent in French and English as well. Each time I go to a resort, I usually take one of the "in house" tour packages to Peurto Plata or Sosua for the day to buy jewlery, coffee or things I just can't buy in the resort store. I really like the resorts, but I LOVE getting into the cities to talk with locals, shop at local stores, eat at Dominican food and take in the DOminican culture. Each time I take one of these "in house tours" they cost about 100$ US. Granted, that's travel, lunch, bus, everything included. This time, I'm determined to do things MY way! I want to take a taxi from my resort (Bahia Principale San Juan) TO Puerto Plata. I want to chose my own place for lunch, visit the Amber museum (again), shop at some local jewelery stores and have lunch. I don't think this is really too hard, but I"m a bit scared! I don't have a map of Puerto Plata, and also, I don't know anything about the taxi services and how much they should/will cost. I have learned the art of bartering, but if the taxi is coming to a resort, should I expect an inflated cost? I want to make my OWN day tour.... I just want to get in a taxi and go to Peurto Plata without having to use the "in house" tour companies. The last one was through Barcelo Viajes, it was wonderful but SO expensive. Am I making a mistake here? Should I just be a good Canadian and stay on my resort unless I"m willing to travel with a tour package? I would rather spend my money on local items such as jewelry and cusine than pay a touring company $100 US (EACH I might add...) to take my husband and I shopping for a day. I love the DOminican people, I just want to spend a day in Peurto Plata.. is that so hard? I would welcome ANY and ALL comments from people who think I'm crazy, or.... people who have ventured off their resorts in the past. I'll welcome horror stories and success stories alike. Please send any and all comments to ms.michaud@teacher.com
I fly out Dec 17, 2004. Cheers, and thanks all. Sorry for the long posting!