Yes, I notice COPA would be the airline for roaming Central and South America, for a connecting fly
- Thread starter islandhopping
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Traveling using DR as your home base.
Yes, I notice COPA would be the airline for roaming Central and South America, for a connecting fly
I can imagine there is sufficient diversion on the island, to hold off the Island fever. Since I don't sit in one spot too long, frequent flying through the mainland would be a cost issue. i hoped being closer to South, Central America and other Caribbean islands would reduce the cost of air fair.
For $2,000 I should be able to sail to the Caymans and back in a charter boat, for a 5 day rental. It would be more fun. What about those puddle jumpers, turbo prop planes? Don't they provide a quick trip between islands.
I appreciated it, quite informative. I hoped to avoid staying in or near Punta Cana. It is not along the central corridor of the island, it is too much of a tourist area. I haven't even been in Cana yet.
That does complicates things having routes moved from SDQ. By the time I am ready for relocating to the DR. It all might change again.
i actually consider PR a downgrage from the DR. Don't waste your time on that unless you want to see old San Juan or the rain forest for some reason.
I agree that the occasional trip back to the US is a prime objective. I prefer California, but the flights are difficult from here. Not into island hopping around here to more of the same.
I will still maintain my home property but buy or rent in the DR. If I would travel across the ocean, It would be from the states or Brazil.
I am working on learning Espanol ahora. French will be next. Which is good Haiti is next door. I been there a few times.
So St. Marartin is a hub. Does it have more flight options than Nassau? On some island trips it is easier to take the ferry, if there is one.
I been to most of the Virgin Islands (both sides) including St. Thomas, however didn't go far from the water front. I didn't visit Redhook.
Everyone on this thread has offered helpful advice.
You are the first person to express that perspective comparing DR and PR. Besides personal preference, why is PR a down grade from DR if it has more services. I haven't toured PR yet. My knowledge of the culture in PR is even less than the DR culture.
PR was on my list during the last DR trip. I couldn't talk myself into a 12 hour ferry ride there and back just to spend a day or two. I like cheap trips where I pay to get there and stay are the big expense. The rest of the time I switch to a budget. I avoid flying unless I get the average or below average price.
Not sure about PUJ, but they fly to Jamaica with Stop in Santo Domingo and to SJU with stop in POP
Well no p4p so openly as DR, for one.
It was described once, PR is a city masquerading as an island.
I stayed for about a week in PR in the San Juan area and driving most of the north coast (which is not very far) . My comments would be that the north coast of PR is not as scenic as the north coast of the DR. The food was nothing special (more of the same bland styles we have here) and the architecture outside of San Juan was very basic box construction. I really can't think of a reason to go back to PR after seeing it once. While it may be more "American" it really doesn't feel that way unless you like fast food franchises. Much better to go to Florida if you want more services and civilization.
Inter Caribbean Airways flies from Santo Domingo (SDQ) to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PUJ)
I agree about PR. I would prefer Miami over PR. I travel back to the US frequently (West Coast). Flights from here to the US West Coast are a pain. I have tried every connection, MIA, ATL, NY and Charlotte as of late. Right now I like going through Charlotte but I am not a US Air fan. I have been to Aruba, St. Marteen, Curacao, etc..but when the travel bug hits I usually go to the US. However as of late I have taken an interest in going to So. America. Chile, Argentina, etc...would interest me. I also have always wanted to do the European Christmas Market tours. I have promised myself that next year I will take one of these trips that are on my "travel bucket list".
keepcoming: I am on the same page. In the spring I am taking a few weeks in DR and the fall Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
dv8: I been thinking of Panama connections with COPA and a gateway to other places. Stop over in Panama a few days then continue on. I will not be in a hurry to go or return.
It works out to spend $700 round trip to and from DR. $1200 for a apartment for three weeks. Then I try to live of $20 a day, which does not work every day. The main grocery run, traveling to the next larger town, spend a little toward the local economy, a little on women (who did not ask for money all week), etc. The budget is wishful thinking half the time. If i spend over $2,500 it is becoming a waste of money, it is cutting into my next trip.
DR as a hub to the Western Hemisphere seems to be in the budget.
dv8: I been thinking of Panama connections with COPA and a gateway to other places. Stop over in Panama a few days then continue on. I will not be in a hurry to go or return.
It works out to spend $700 round trip to and from DR. $1200 for a apartment for three weeks. Then I try to live of $20 a day, which does not work every day. The main grocery run, traveling to the next larger town, spend a little toward the local economy, a little on women (who did not ask for money all week), etc. The budget is wishful thinking half the time. If i spend over $2,500 it is becoming a waste of money, it is cutting into my next trip.
DR as a hub to the Western Hemisphere seems to be in the budget.
I have used the DR as my home base longer than DR1 has existed, it works very well. Daily flights from SDQ to MAD and CDG, three or four a day to MIA and JFK, same to PTY. From any of those you can connect anywhere. I don't expect direct flights to everywhere, I did a 14 hour flight form Hong Kong to Newark a few years ago, which I don't want to do again, rather break up the flight and get down on the ground for a few hours. The only issue I have is connecting in the US, the time it takes to go through immigration and custom.