Vacation spot?

keepcoming

keepcoming

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May 25, 2011
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For weekend trips we do stay at a AI in Punta Cana. Most stay at the AI's because for them it is a "no brainer". All the food, drinks, etc..for one set price. I can see why some go 1-2x a year. Is it cheaper, depends. I have been to AI's here that I have seen people killing themselves to get their monies worth of booze and food. In Punta Cana most go for the beach and of course there is a wide variety of AI's to choose from. They rarely leave the resort since there is not much going on. There a few places to see and hang-out but you will not get a good glimpse into the local culture in Punta Cana. There are also lots of package deals at decent prices. The North Coast use to be the place for AI's back in the day but not so much now. But on the North Coast they have much more to offer outside the gates of the AI in terms of experiencing the local culture. I would say for first timers a AI may be the way to go if your budget permits. I just like the OP also prefer to travel in low season, much less hetic and stressful.
 
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kris182

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So for a first time traveler who has never gone father than Disney World with family as a kid, staying inside my comfort zone for the first vacation would make perfect sense.

To be honest, if I do decide to return to the DR for a future vacation, I would go see more of the island. The first trip is more of a get to know the beach, interact with people, and do a few activities at the resort, and maybe venture out just a little past the resort until I get a better feel of my surroundings.
 
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westcan

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By all means stay at the Tangerine. There is lots to do at Cabarete outside of the hotel, and if you get bored of the hotel food and drinks (such as warm beer in a plastic cup) the rest of the beach has great bars and restaurants within a 10 minute walk. The AI price you pay is a good one when considering it includes airfare, room, and food/drinks.
The nice thing about Cabarete and the north coast is if you want to get off your resort (I would but you may not) then you have a good amount of choices.
 
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yapask1

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Yes , I would definitely endorse Hotel Colibri, a married couple, long time friends, with daughter stayed there and the comments were excellent.
One of the couple is professioally engaged in the hospitality business and loved it. You can also BBQ the fresh seafood at your appartment - they loan you equipment. There are many activities nearby and fine restaurants within walking distance on the beach. Excursions are good - whale watching - nature reserve Los Haites and El Limon waterfalls to name but three. Shops and supermarkets are close and offer a good range.

Hotel Residence Playa Colibri (Las Terrenas, Samana, Dominican Republic) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor

Book early as it is popular. Budget under 100$ night for two people.

yapask1
 
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kris182

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I don't know when I'll be booking this vacation, so if it's popular, it may not be available when I do book it.
 
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kris182

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I've just read a travel piece in my local paper that endorses Punta Cana. With that in mind, what would the suggestions be for that area?
 
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kris182

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Everything I've checked included airfare. I'm not finding much under that amount in Punta Cana, but one can only search some more to see what there is.
 
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pollogringo

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kris182 said:
Everything I've checked included airfare. I'm not finding much under that amount in Punta Cana, but one can only search some more to see what there is.
Click to expand...

Hard Rock comes highly recommended. But it's not cheap. Same goes for the Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real. I've only stayed at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe as far as AI goes and found it very satisfactory in every aspect. The spa's really nice. The restaurants for dinners are surprisingly good(Japanese and a steakhouse). The Mexican one not so much. We didn't have time for the French one, but it's raved about. Got premium spirits at the bar by the golf course(great friendly bartender) and they even have a just-right brunch type food bar. Low-key spot we really enjoyed and it was close to our room. Fun stuff for the kids too. As I recall, our only complaint was with the WiFi that we paid extra for that never really worked. Their Bavaro Beach location is even more highly rated, so it's probably a good bet as well.

Buena suerte!

PS- FYI, looks like another poster, redserge, has has had good experiences there as well.
 
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kris182

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The article I read recommended the RIU Palace Bavaro, which is newly constructed. The pricing I found on it did not include airfare and was rather pricey. I might just stick with Cabarete, and maybe if I go back again, I will have more money to go to Punta Cana. I have to do some more searching, I guess we could go for less time, but I have had my heart set on a week vacation.
 
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dv8

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geez, guys, why so crazy? i embrace the idea of an all inclusive. some folks work hard and they just want a quiet, relaxed holiday where everything is done for them and served right under their noses. good for them, we cannot all go camping in the jungle, ok?
and stop with this "learn spanish" nonsense. do you learn greek when vacationing in corfu? or arabic when frying on beaches of dubai? what's with all this contempt for the poor souls who speak no word of spanish? maybe they speak other languages? maybe they are lazy? maybe they have other priorities?
some folks want a holiday under the palm trees. when i came here the first time around i went to AI and i spoke zero spanish. i just wanted to lie on the beach sipping cocktails, not even see the country, just be in a warm place away from a london winter. have some understanding, no?
 
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pollogringo

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kris182 said:
The article I read recommended the RIU Palace Bavaro, which is newly constructed. The pricing I found on it did not include airfare and was rather pricey. I might just stick with Cabarete, and maybe if I go back again, I will have more money to go to Punta Cana. I have to do some more searching, I guess we could go for less time, but I have had my heart set on a week vacation.
Click to expand...

Did you read posts #38 and #53? Might be an option?
 
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dv8

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oh, and i am sorry, i forgot to bring something of merit to this thread :)
i would suggest punta cana. it is quiet and boring but very pretty and may be just what you are looking for. in case you want to do a little trip you can always visit SD and walk around colonial zone or see tres ojos park.
 
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kris182

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pollogringo said:
Did you read posts #38 and #53? Might be an option?
Click to expand...

Not interested in the Hard Rock hotel, and the other hotel didn't even show up in my searches. And anything else I have looked at are more than what I have budgeted for this vacation.
 
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pollogringo

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Chicagoan

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Kris,

If you want to be active and get off the property a lot, go to the North Coast. If you want to sit on the beach, Punta Cana is great. I went there once, but I found it boring.

A very inexpensive alternative to Punta Cana is Juan Dolio. Fly in to Santo Domingo. My boyfriend and I went to Barcelo Capella last year. We were happy with the hotel, and the food was very good. However, there was nowhere to go off of the grounds, so I was bored.

It all depends on what you are looking for.
 
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