With so much effort put into the costumes and such high spirits and good humor, the Carnaval could be a great tourist attraction and moneymaker. But as usual the Dominican inability to organize anything rules that out. No information in any language (let alone English, German or Russian), no timetable, no toilets, no waste bins, no organized parking or bus service, etc, etc.
Two separate years recently on the Malecon I have befriended groups of tourists from Playa Dorada who were looking forward to seeing a parade or something, anything actually happening. On both occasions they slunk back to their hotels after hanging about for a couple of hours and being fed BS misinformation from police and participants.
Maybe they don't want gringos at their Carnaval. Fair enough. But don't then whinge about lack of investment or jobs. Same applies to most other public events.
