Puerto Plata Paradise Resort

[Scubeedu]

My family and I are going to be traveling to Puerto Plata very soon. We are staying at the all-inclusive Paradise Resort. My mom is really worried about getting sick from the food or water. Has anyone gone to the Dominican Republic (specifically the Paradise Resort) and gotten sick. How was the food? Is the water safe? Are there any tourist sites that we should go to? An answer would be much appreciated by someone. Thanking you in advance.

 

[Susanne]

Dear Scubeedoo,

Try this website: www.debbiesdominicantravel.com. Debbie is Canadian, she has collected a huge amount of Hotel Reviews as well as some very useful links, frequently asked questions and advice on health. I think you will find what you need there.

Otherwise, look through the old messages here. The matter has been adressed several times before. For a quick answer: Lots of people get sick, some probably due to overindulgence on food and alcohol, others because your immunal system is not always ready to cope with the bacterias in a new environment. This is true whether you go to Egypt, Italy or DR. The water is not safe to drink, buy bottled water. If you have a weak stomach, brush your teeth in bottled water too.

I'm sure you will all enjoy the holiday, Regards, Susanne

 

[DR One]

While in Puerto Plata visit the Amber Museum, the Brugal rum factory, Sosua, Cabarete, the Columbus Water Park, Playa Grande. Check and see if the sky lift has reopened.

Below is the link to the health page we compiled from the experience of hundreds of message board contributors and advise from local physicians and international medical organizations.

 

[Wayne]

Had three weeks their never got sick once. Drink plenty of the bottled water provided free and don't overdo the alcohol and you will be fine, the food is excellent and all salads are washed in purified water at the resort so don't worry about eating that. Any more questions please feel free to e-mail me.

Wayne

 

[Mark]

Scubeedu,

I think you will be impressed by the playa dorada complex, and the paradise club in particular. It's one of the nicer properties, with a nice beach area, plenty of food variety, and wonderful grounds! Don't worry about sickness, just be careful about drinking/using purified water. I haven't stayed there myself, but I've visited the property several times, and have friends who enjoyed it immensely. Apparently, the rooms are clean and spacious, but nothing to write home about. Other than that, you should find it to be a wonderful spot!

DR1 suggested many of the "things to see". I've found that a great, convenient, inexpensive way to see many of these sites is to hire a taxi driver to take you for a half day (or full day if you wish) tour of the area. Six of us hired a brand new air conditioned 7 passenger taxi van (you'll see them outside your hotel) with a driver who spoke good english and was a wealth of knowledge for about 600 pesos, for 4 hours! It took a bit of negotiating on the price, but everything does! (shop around, find a driver you like and settle on a price before hand.) Our driver gave us the grand tour of the puerto plata/sosua area, stopped everywhere we wanted him to, gave us as much time as we wanted wherever we stopped, and we had a great relaxing time. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Mark

 

[fred]

My wife and I have stayed there three times and found it to be a wonderful resort and complex. I agree with the other comments already given......drink the purified water, and remember that moderation is the best defense. You'll enjoy your trip immensly, so stop worrying and start planning all the exciting things that you can do during your stay.

Enjoy,

Fred

 

[George Rickerson]

I agree with the previous answers, the Paradise Beach Club is a wonderful resort. You can't drink the tap water, but stick to bottled water and you'll be fine. My wife and I enjoyed the salads and fruit along with all the cooked food, and we had no problems of any kind. We were advised to take Immodium (antidiarrheal medicine) and antacids with us on our trip, and we did, but we did not need to use them.

The white water rafting trip is sensational. It is a full day and is physically strenuous, but if you are up to it it is great fun and very well organized and run. Be aware that you will see white water rafting advertised by different tour companies at different prices, but they are all the same trip. The best price we found was through the Rum Runners; we booked it on the beach, down by the orange huts (we payed $60 per person; others who were on our trip paid anywhere from $80 to $100 per person).

 

[Joe]

Agree with all the above. If you decide to take the advice of the taxi driver, we used a very nice gentleman named Benny. You can reach him by pager 520-7652 just enter the phone number at the hotel followed by your room number and he will call you to make arrangements. His English is perfect and he is recommended by many. Also stop at Sam's Bar & Grill in Puerto Plata. It is a must see-many antique photos, etc. good food. The building is 100+ years old and was Puerto Plata's first hotel. Also have internet for 50 pesos per hour--credit if you don't use the hour. Many interesting locals international flavor. Music on Sunday afternoons 4 to 7--Rock, blues, jazz mix. Have fun but don't drink the tap water.