I've been stuck inside the Holiday Inn Santo Domingo all day with a sick child, so I decided to get a start on my trip reports. Gotta do something, if I can't see the Colonial Zone, eat at Don Nesto, shop at Naco, etc. Welcome to my pity party!
Anyway, I wrote the following tour review for another sight, but I'm reposting it over here. Dre Broeder, from this forum, provided excellent transportaion from SDQ to Dominicus/Bayahibe and back to Santo Domingo. We are forever grateful, Dre! You can find him here: Guesthouse Holland
We stayed at the Hotel El Eden in Dominicus, for the sole purpose of taking our tours. It was unexpectedly pleasant. The grounds were beautiful, and there was a very nice pool. The rooms were spotless, even though very simply furnished. They had ceilings fans, AC, hot water, cable, large bathrooms, and in-room safes. We paid $60 total per night, per room. The Seavis Tour office was at most only a two minute walk away. The town was very charming as, well.
The reposted review for anyone interested:
From my first contact with Seavis, I have been extremely impressed. Alexander went above and beyond to help me arrange to add the tour portion of our vacation onto an already planned visit to Santo Domingo. He made reservations for us at a lovely little hotel in Dominicus, as I had no desire to stay at an all-inclusive resort. After we arrived, he came to our rescue again when the local ATM ate our bank card. Alexander and his wife, Marion, are truly fantastic individuals.
On Monday the 5th, we went on the Jungle Safari tour. As tourists, we would have never gotten such an in-depth view of the countryside without this tour. We first visited one of the American owned sugar cane fields. We sampled the sugar cane and rum, but this was also a brief glimpse into the lives of the impoverished Haitians who live in the bateyes. We visited their little school, as well. If you feel so inclined, do bring a little snack for the school kids. They are so poor, and loved the snacks a few folks thought to bring. I wish that I had taken them something.
Then, we moved on to a tiny cigar shop. We got to see a gentleman hand roll cigars the old way, and we saw a bit of tobacco growing. We went on to the market in Higuey, then we were off into the hills for lunch. Lunch was a delicious buffet of pork, rice, bread, beans, salad, etc. It was followed by fruit and coffee.
After lunch, we were invited to go horseback riding on a little trail. I cannot remember the last time that I have laughed so hard! Our wonderful guide, the self-proclaimed "Cassius Clay", had to help hoist me up on my horse. It has been many years and many pounds ago since I've ridden, and I just kind of got stuck in mid-air trying to mount. Thank goodness he's a strong man, and he pushed me the rest of the way up. The ride itself was no less funny. We all laughed ourselves silly!
We went on into the hills to see cocoa and coffeebeing grown and sample a bit. The day wrapped up with a wonderful river cruise. All willing were invited to climb up a cliff and show off their skills rope swinging into the water. My teens loved it!
On Tuesday the 6th, we went on the Saona VIP cruise. The charming Marion was with us to guide the German participants, while the English speakers were lead by Anel Attis. We had such a fantastic day, and it was due in large part to Attis! He was so patient with our group and let us choose the details that interested us, as we were not the most focused of groups. LOL! He shared so much interesting information with us, and really helped us to understand Saona and the Dominican people who live there.
Lunch was delicious, eaten on the beach in the shade of coconut palms. We had plenty of time to swim, snorkle, and simply soak up the beauty of this incredible area. Attis, our captain Israel, and our deck-hand Ramone, started an impromtu game of soccer on our last beach stop. My kids and husband had the time of their lives, as did some of the German guests. My older son plays soccer at school, and this was such a treat for him. That is a vacation memory that will last a lifetime - playing soccer on the remote island of Saona with Haitians, Dominicans, Germans, and Americans.
I would definitely recommend Seavis Tours.
Anyway, I wrote the following tour review for another sight, but I'm reposting it over here. Dre Broeder, from this forum, provided excellent transportaion from SDQ to Dominicus/Bayahibe and back to Santo Domingo. We are forever grateful, Dre! You can find him here: Guesthouse Holland
We stayed at the Hotel El Eden in Dominicus, for the sole purpose of taking our tours. It was unexpectedly pleasant. The grounds were beautiful, and there was a very nice pool. The rooms were spotless, even though very simply furnished. They had ceilings fans, AC, hot water, cable, large bathrooms, and in-room safes. We paid $60 total per night, per room. The Seavis Tour office was at most only a two minute walk away. The town was very charming as, well.
The reposted review for anyone interested:
From my first contact with Seavis, I have been extremely impressed. Alexander went above and beyond to help me arrange to add the tour portion of our vacation onto an already planned visit to Santo Domingo. He made reservations for us at a lovely little hotel in Dominicus, as I had no desire to stay at an all-inclusive resort. After we arrived, he came to our rescue again when the local ATM ate our bank card. Alexander and his wife, Marion, are truly fantastic individuals.
On Monday the 5th, we went on the Jungle Safari tour. As tourists, we would have never gotten such an in-depth view of the countryside without this tour. We first visited one of the American owned sugar cane fields. We sampled the sugar cane and rum, but this was also a brief glimpse into the lives of the impoverished Haitians who live in the bateyes. We visited their little school, as well. If you feel so inclined, do bring a little snack for the school kids. They are so poor, and loved the snacks a few folks thought to bring. I wish that I had taken them something.
Then, we moved on to a tiny cigar shop. We got to see a gentleman hand roll cigars the old way, and we saw a bit of tobacco growing. We went on to the market in Higuey, then we were off into the hills for lunch. Lunch was a delicious buffet of pork, rice, bread, beans, salad, etc. It was followed by fruit and coffee.
After lunch, we were invited to go horseback riding on a little trail. I cannot remember the last time that I have laughed so hard! Our wonderful guide, the self-proclaimed "Cassius Clay", had to help hoist me up on my horse. It has been many years and many pounds ago since I've ridden, and I just kind of got stuck in mid-air trying to mount. Thank goodness he's a strong man, and he pushed me the rest of the way up. The ride itself was no less funny. We all laughed ourselves silly!
We went on into the hills to see cocoa and coffeebeing grown and sample a bit. The day wrapped up with a wonderful river cruise. All willing were invited to climb up a cliff and show off their skills rope swinging into the water. My teens loved it!
On Tuesday the 6th, we went on the Saona VIP cruise. The charming Marion was with us to guide the German participants, while the English speakers were lead by Anel Attis. We had such a fantastic day, and it was due in large part to Attis! He was so patient with our group and let us choose the details that interested us, as we were not the most focused of groups. LOL! He shared so much interesting information with us, and really helped us to understand Saona and the Dominican people who live there.
Lunch was delicious, eaten on the beach in the shade of coconut palms. We had plenty of time to swim, snorkle, and simply soak up the beauty of this incredible area. Attis, our captain Israel, and our deck-hand Ramone, started an impromtu game of soccer on our last beach stop. My kids and husband had the time of their lives, as did some of the German guests. My older son plays soccer at school, and this was such a treat for him. That is a vacation memory that will last a lifetime - playing soccer on the remote island of Saona with Haitians, Dominicans, Germans, and Americans.
I would definitely recommend Seavis Tours.
