Questions about Tours/Excursions

[bostonart]

My wife and I will be going to Lifestyle Tropical resort in a week and I have found lots of fun things to on these boards while there. I just have a couple of questions that I haven't found answers to yet. I was wondering if anyone knows if the Lifestyle Tropical resort has a divemaster on site or is partnered with a dive shop. We are looking to do some diving and we would prefer a dive shop near the resort as we will not have a car.

Also, I have seen some references to Damajagua falls and tours that take people up to cascade down the waterfall. My wife and I definitely want to do that but I can't seem to find info on who to see or where to go to arrange that. Anyone have any suggestions, again preferably near my resort.

Thanks for your help

 

[planner]

I believe they are affiliated with a dive company.

For Damajagua falls go to Isaira Tours - Dominican Republic they offer a jeep safari type excursion that goes to the falls. They can also arrange your diving - with pick up.

 

[chacha777]

The water falls

Just returned from D.R. and did the safri tour. The falls are a wonderful fun thing to do. We will do the 15 levels next time we go. This tour goes into the mountains and shows the country side then ends up at the falls. You walk about 20 minutes into the forest and come to the falls. There you go up 7 levels with the help of your guide. I think you can also take a cab up to the area and just do the falls if you have been to the mountain area before. It does require some strength so as they recommend, you should be in good health. If you want more info you can PM me.

 

[KeithF]

It does require some strength so as they recommend, you should be in good health.

I'll second that, you need to be a reasonable swimmer. I'm not a strong swimmer and I was exhausted at one point. One of the falls involves being in a spot where the walls are sheer and only one person at a time can be helped up, everyone else has to keep swimming against the flow until their turn. I reached a point where I was begining to struggle and couldn't get forward enough to be helped. Fortunately the only person behind me was a big Canadian bloke who realised I was close to difficulties... I've never been so pleased to have a big, hairy Canadian bloke's, hand up my arse before!!!

Coming down is excellent and the whole trip is great fun but if you aren't a strong swimmer, tell the lads before you set off up so they can keep an eye on you/help you. I was told recently that someone did drown on that tour since I did it, so they may be more safety concious now (and I don't know if that is true anyway?)

 

[FireGuy]

It does require some strength so as they recommend, you should be in good health.

I'll second that, you need to be a reasonable swimmer. I'm not a strong swimmer and I was exhausted at one point. One of the falls involves being in a spot where the walls are sheer and only one person at a time can be helped up, everyone else has to keep swimming against the flow until their turn. I reached a point where I was begining to struggle and couldn't get forward enough to be helped. Fortunately the only person behind me was a big Canadian bloke who realised I was close to difficulties... I've never been so pleased to have a big, hairy Canadian bloke's, hand up my arse before!!!

Coming down is excellent and the whole trip is great fun but if you aren't a strong swimmer, tell the lads before you set off up so they can keep an eye on you/help you. I was told recently that someone did drown on that tour since I did it, so they may be more safety concious now (and I don't know if that is true anyway?)

A young Canadian lad drowned in front of his family in January 2005 at the second to last falls. Since then, due in major part to lobbying by his family and the Canadian government, helmets and life jackets are supposed to be mandatory and the guides have received safety, rescue and first aid training. If anyone is offered a tour where the safety equipment is not mandatory, please let me know. The river and falls are especially strong after periods of rain, not necessarily based on the weather of the day but the recent past.

Have fun - but be safe.

Gregg

 

[Rumble2005]

We have stayed at Sun Village which is next door to Lifestyle on Confressi beach. We bought the Waterfall adventure off a vendor on Confressi beach for $45 US . It was one of the best days of our lives . I used the word adventure earlier as that is truly what it was. We were told that we were buying a tour to "see" some waterfalls . Well , I must admit this was the most interactive viewing I have ever seen. Our day started in the back of a small half ton with a total of 8 people plus a guide. By 9 AM we were pulled over on a back road in the mountains passing around a bottle of rum (all inclusive) and drinking rum and coke (when in rome). About 2 hours into our journey we went by a small resterant at about 20 MPH . Our guide inserted his fingers into his mouth and started a series of whistles . When I asked what he was doing he said he just ordered lunch for eight. This likely isn't true but lunch was ready when we returned to the resterant.
We arrived at the falls. At the gate we picked up two young domincan guys that were very strong . We still had no idea what was about to happen. We reached the falls where people tried to rent us shoes (bring sport sandles or water shoes, make sure they fit very securely). After about a 10 minute walk through rivers and streams and jungles we reached the falls. Our guide told us to jump in the river basin at the bottom of a fall . There was a bluff and people were jumping from about 20 feet up into this basin. My wife and I were a little shocked but said , what the heck , lets climb up there and jump down. Little did we know that our journey was just begining when we reached the first level. Our guide signaled (he spoke no english) to us to follow him. This continued on for 7 more levels of falls . Along the way we saw tourists on their decent that were bloodied and bruised . There were zero safety devices in place and we would NEVER have made it without the help of our two young domincan guides. The scenery was breathtaking and the whole experience was exhilerating. They actually managed to film this whole thing. We bought the tape for $50 and do not regret it.
Please tip your guides well as you will likely owe them your life by the end of the day. At minimum they deserve $20 . I have heard there may now be a flat fee for the waterfall guides as opposed to optional tipping but I am not 100% sure.
This was an AWESOME purely Dominican experience. I have heard from a friend that recently did the falls that she had to wear a helmet. The water is very fast moving. I am a strong swimmer and I am not sure I could do it with a life jacket unless it is very slim and light weight.
PS - we had at least 4-6 ounces of rum and mamajuana in our systems before getting in the water. I would strongly advise obstaining until you have finished your decent.
Enjoy!!!

 

[chacha777]

safety

As of recently, we wore helmuts and life jackets for the falls. There were many guides on the way up besides your personal guide to help you along. There is no reason at all for blood and bruises ifyou follow the rules of keeping your elbows in on the way down. But PLEASE wear good shoes. My husband was told his sandals were good but as soon as he hit the water the velcro would no longer hold and this made it very hard to climb. Water shoes are necessary!!! We had our kids and they had a wonderful time. They are 8 and 10 y/o and we did have to push them at some places due to the strength of the water against us but as before would do it again.

 

[Sosuany]

Is swimming knowledge a requirement for this trip?

 

[morenita inglesa]

Absolutley!

Is swimming knowledge a requirement for this trip?

I used to think I was an okay swimmer until I did this trip. The guides do help the weaker swimmers but if you simply can't swim then it's best to give it a miss. I would definitely recommend this as a day out. Like some others have mentioned, alot of safety measure have been put in place recently and it's alot safer than it was a couple of years ago. Just watch out for the weather though, like don't go if it has been raining the day before.

 

[wishingiwasthere]

TO THE OP

I assume that you are a member ( RCI?? ) and will be considered a VIP while your there.......

With regard to trips from this place you are a little cut off from the main stream, as such they will charge you a special price!

There is a menu of tours that you will recieve in your villa or apartment - it states a "special price for VIP members" - well indeed - it is a special price - pretty much DOUBLE what you would pay in Playa DOrada. For example a $50 trip from Playa D is now a $100 because you are a VIP!

Let me be clear - we are not a cheap couple - we travel to the DR 3 times a year from the UK, I also understand that Dominicans have to make a living - but that is a royal shafting!

If this is your first time and you are planning on taking a number of trips - Even 1 trip would make this suggestion cost effective - take a taxi tour around the City Centre and as part of the trip get the driver to take you to the Plaza in Playa Dorda..... The Plaza consists of around 40 shops of which 8 or so tour operators - go there and haggle. You will probably be on the same tour as the people from "VIP WORLD" but at half the cost.......

The VIP Beach is awesom - truly and VIP WORLD bar area fantastic!

Hope you have a great time and please let us have a trip report and tell us what you think of the resort!

 

[dv8]

Is swimming knowledge a requirement for this trip?

when i did my waterfall trip last year i could hardly swim.
(fear of water since seeing "jaws" years ago)
we had to wear life jackets and helmets, guides were EXTREMELY helpful but because of my lack of skills and fear of water i was watched by a nice big canadian guy giving me hand whenever needed.
only problem was a few meter jump (2, actually) at the highest of waterfalls. guide said: "you have to jump or i push you" so i made a sign of cross and jumped.
i had great time!
also did diving is sosua bay - pretty amazing stuff.
all this without good swimming skills.
but you need to curb your fears a little...

 

[kz650b2]

As of recently, we wore helmuts and life jackets for the falls. There were many guides on the way up besides your personal guide to help you along. There is no reason at all for blood and bruises ifyou follow the rules of keeping your elbows in on the way down. But PLEASE wear good shoes. My husband was told his sandals were good but as soon as he hit the water the velcro would no longer hold and this made it very hard to climb. Water shoes are necessary!!! We had our kids and they had a wonderful time. They are 8 and 10 y/o and we did have to push them at some places due to the strength of the water against us but as before would do it again.

Chacha

We are travelling with kids and would also like to see the falls. Who did you book your excusion with?

kz650b2