Safe to go on excursion?

drstock

Silver
Oct 29, 2010
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Cabarete
How are you going to get from the airport to your hotel when you arrive? By bus, I guess. With any luck you will survive that and THEN start worrying about the next excursion.
 
Aug 6, 2006
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I have been traveling about the DR off and on since 1978 and have never had anything worse happen to me than getting rained on while riding a motoconcho. Eating requires more vigilance than riding around. A bad chicharr?n in Juan Dolio caused me some serious gastric distress due to a parasite or perhaps several different parasites, holding a lucha libre event in my intestinal tract.
 

Jaime809

Bronze
Aug 23, 2012
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One thing to know is that rules of the road tend to be "the larger vehicle makes the rules." The excursion vehicles tend to be on the larger side, so even if there are any aggressive drivers in the area, they will normally defer to the larger (and thus, the excursion transport). As others have mentioned, tell him if you'd like him to slow down.
 

suarezn

Gold
Feb 3, 2002
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Here you go...This is the route you'd take.

[video=youtube_share;SYnP8shw-tM]http://youtu.be/SYnP8shw-tM[/video]

The video is sped up 10 times...
 

DRdreaming

Member
Jul 29, 2014
243
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I vacationed in Punta Cana for 8 years, sometimes travelling alone, sometimes with friends. Always staying in an AI before I finally bought my condo. I did every day excursion available, some more than once, but I never left the hotel dark, until my last few visits. I wish I had done so sooner! There are pleny of safe places to go after dark. Casinos and clubs in other hotels might be a good change of pace, especially if you are there for more than a week.
 

Contango

Banned
Dec 27, 2010
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I, too, was initially afraid of leaving my home after dark...now we go everywhere we want to after dark and feel totally safe--probably because we know where we're going! I'm more nervous on the cab from the airport to the house, than I am about driving myself around the island. I grew-up in California, and DEFENSIVE DRIVING was the hallmark of driver training there and I've always abided by that and have found it to be very, very appropriate for the D.R. Don't tailgate and always anticipate the actions of the other drivers on the road. Keep in mind, that as a "Gringo" driving, you're always considered "at fault" until proven otherwise.

I've found that Gringo Seniors like yourself in the DR drive to slow or drive nervously. Hopefully you have learned to adapt to your third world environment and the driving conditions. And if tashizoo is in the back seat you are using a child restraint seat for safety. Mind you bavaro really isn't a third world environment for driving.
 
I've found that Gringo Seniors like yourself in the DR drive to slow or drive nervously. Hopefully you have learned to adapt to your third world environment and the driving conditions. And if tashizoo is in the back seat you are using a child restraint seat for safety. Mind you bavaro really isn't a third world environment for driving.

Haha I can always tell when I am behind a gringo and I shake my fist grumbling friggin GRINGO while I pass em!
 

flyinroom

Silver
Aug 26, 2012
3,824
708
113
Now you've gone and done it Suarzen...
They will never leave the AI.
Btw...
The music was a frightening touch.

The odds are pretty good that the trip to La Romana will be a most enjoyable one.
The experience in the baseball park (arena)............Priceless.
The cerveza......Ceniza.
Enjoy.
 

flyinroom

Silver
Aug 26, 2012
3,824
708
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I can assure you, I don't drive slowly or nervously...by-the-way, it's NOT a kid, it's a DOG and "She" rides with her head out the window!

As innocent an activity as that may seem under normal circumstances.....
Not a great idea in the D.R.
Time to wean Tashi Siu off the habit.
Sad yes.
Necessary?
Absolutely.
 

chic

Silver
Nov 20, 2013
4,305
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0
i think most excursions are safe............................... on a bus it is hard to watch the front window.... relax enjoy..
 

suarezn

Gold
Feb 3, 2002
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A pity you said that. It would have REALLY given the OP something to worry about!

Hahaha...Trust me I seriously thought about saying this is typical Dominican driving at that speed, but then I thought I should be nice to our guests and hopefully they enjoy it enough to return.
 

Peterj

Bronze
Oct 7, 2002
1,536
431
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Dominican Republic
My girlfriend and I will be visiting Punta Cana for two weeks this December, staying at Bavaro Princess. I've booked us an excursion to visit Higuey, a cigar factory, a sugar cane and fruit plantation, Altos de Chavon and a baseball game in La Romana. This is a private tour so just my girlfriend and me along with the driver and guide.

In reading these forums it appears that there are frequent vehicle accidents in Punta Cana and surrounding areas. Should I be cancelling our excursion? Are there any tips or requests I should ask of our tour company, Dominican Quest to ensure a safe tour?

No, don't cancel!
You will have a great day and don't worry. :laugh:
 
May 20, 2012
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Actually, the driver overtakes and passes very quickly, even at 10x speed. NO ONE passes him.
And taking "his half out of the middle" is so DR.
Hahaha...Trust me I seriously thought about saying this is typical Dominican driving at that speed, but then I thought I should be nice to our guests and hopefully they enjoy it enough to return.
 

LTSteve

Gold
Jul 9, 2010
5,449
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My girlfriend and I will be visiting Punta Cana for two weeks this December, staying at Bavaro Princess. I've booked us an excursion to visit Higuey, a cigar factory, a sugar cane and fruit plantation, Altos de Chavon and a baseball game in La Romana. This is a private tour so just my girlfriend and me along with the driver and guide.

In reading these forums it appears that there are frequent vehicle accidents in Punta Cana and surrounding areas. Should I be cancelling our excursion? Are there any tips or requests I should ask of our tour company, Dominican Quest to ensure a safe tour?

Driving is not the issue. Where and how did you book this tour. Hopefully it was through the hotel. Just remember these guys have an agenda and some of the places they go they get a commission if you buy something. I've done the same thing and you should enjoy seeing the countryside.
 

gbill2004

Newbie
Oct 6, 2014
6
0
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Driving is not the issue. Where and how did you book this tour. Hopefully it was through the hotel. Just remember these guys have an agenda and some of the places they go they get a commission if you buy something. I've done the same thing and you should enjoy seeing the countryside.

I booked it online through Dominican Quest. They get top reviews on TripAdvisor.