Dominican Republic
Jul 24th, 2003, 04:52 AM
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Dominican Republic
Can anyone give me insight in the Dominican Republic?
What area of teh island is known for its beaches, specifically calm beaches? What are considered the better resorts that also cater to kids?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Penney
What area of teh island is known for its beaches, specifically calm beaches? What are considered the better resorts that also cater to kids?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Penney
Jul 24th, 2003, 05:21 AM
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My family of 5,(my husband & 3 sons ages
15,11,7) were in the D.R.in April. We loved it! The best beaches are in Punta Cana.One of the best I've been to. We stayed @ the Iberostar Punta Cana.Great kids programs. Good food & entertainment. The staff was great. This is a great family vacation! Check out Debbies Doninican Republic.com. Lots of Information. Have Fun!
15,11,7) were in the D.R.in April. We loved it! The best beaches are in Punta Cana.One of the best I've been to. We stayed @ the Iberostar Punta Cana.Great kids programs. Good food & entertainment. The staff was great. This is a great family vacation! Check out Debbies Doninican Republic.com. Lots of Information. Have Fun!
Jul 24th, 2003, 06:15 AM
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As mentioned the best site is..
http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com./ and Punta Cana is very popular as is La Romana... I would stay away from Puerta Plata.. We stayed at Sunscape this February and found it a great size family type resort,not a mega sprawled out resort and caters to North Americans.
http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com./ and Punta Cana is very popular as is La Romana... I would stay away from Puerta Plata.. We stayed at Sunscape this February and found it a great size family type resort,not a mega sprawled out resort and caters to North Americans.
Jul 24th, 2003, 08:41 AM
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DR is a very popular vacation spot with Europeans and others (even more so than Riviera Maya) , if you enjoy diversities , you'll like it.There're some very good beach areas - La Romana-Bayahibe , Punta Cana , Samana...All are very affordable , just make sure you choose good reputation resorts.
Jul 25th, 2003, 03:57 AM
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Thanks for the responses. WE have travled alot but never to DR so am pretty clueless!
GMT - we just got back from the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar in Riveria Maya and loved it there. We were looking at the IB Punta Cana and the newer on that just went up last year - starts wtih an H ? so would love more input.
How were the rooms and star friends with the kids? Is the beach calm? I know the resort at Paraiso was huge but very tropical with jungles and animals and such - howis the atmosphere there? how many nights do you get to go to the other restaurants?
What are things to see and do off the resort?
Thanks!
Penney
GMT - we just got back from the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar in Riveria Maya and loved it there. We were looking at the IB Punta Cana and the newer on that just went up last year - starts wtih an H ? so would love more input.
How were the rooms and star friends with the kids? Is the beach calm? I know the resort at Paraiso was huge but very tropical with jungles and animals and such - howis the atmosphere there? how many nights do you get to go to the other restaurants?
What are things to see and do off the resort?
Thanks!
Penney
Jul 25th, 2003, 04:32 AM
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If you liked the Mexican Riviera, you will like the Dominican Republic. In fact, once you are in your resort, it will be difficult to tell the difference between the two countries. You will be more isolated in the DR, however, as there is less to do once you leave the property.
The Iberostar Punta Cana (DR) and Iberostar Paraiso del Mar (PDC) are very similar in their layout and facilities. Both properties are large: in PDC, there are two sides to the resort, while in the DR, there are three Iberostars together (although they don't really want you to use the facilites at the highest end property).
The pool in PDC is superior to the one in the DR, but the DR has more mature landscaping, better water gardens, and more fauna, particularly koi and flamingos. The DR has a cute shopping street and shopping center area on their property, so it feels more like you can leave the resort without really doing so.
Restaurant choices were more unique in PDC (particularly the Japanese and Brazilian), but overall were good at each property--I think Iberostars have some of the better food/restaurant variety as compared to other all-inclusive chains (e.g, Occidental/ Diamond/ Caribbean Village/ Jack Tar and Breezes). The DR property has a fancy restaurant--I believe it was called Sibilia--which was great (although there was a set three or four course menu and if you didn't like what they were serving, you were out of luck). At one time, you had to pay extra for this restaurant, but when I was there two years ago it was included. The deal is the same with making reservations, and I believe it was 3 or 4 nights in an ala carte restaurant per week's stay. I did find, though, that if I went to the reservation desk on the other mornings when I didn't have a reservation, if the restaurants weren't full, I could eat there. I believe that I ate at an specialty restaurant every night but one.
The entertainment is campy at both places, but the theatre in PDC is superior to the one in the DR, where it seems like it was an afterthought rather than being part of the resort plan.
I don't know about the Star Friends or kids programs, as I'm not a real participant in activies (prefering to lie on the beach and read a book instead) and have no kids. But they certainly are present everywhere.
The DR also has a small casino and spa, but no cigar bar like PDC (which my husband really enjoyed). I loved both properties and wouldn't hesitate to return to either.
The Iberostar Punta Cana (DR) and Iberostar Paraiso del Mar (PDC) are very similar in their layout and facilities. Both properties are large: in PDC, there are two sides to the resort, while in the DR, there are three Iberostars together (although they don't really want you to use the facilites at the highest end property).
The pool in PDC is superior to the one in the DR, but the DR has more mature landscaping, better water gardens, and more fauna, particularly koi and flamingos. The DR has a cute shopping street and shopping center area on their property, so it feels more like you can leave the resort without really doing so.
Restaurant choices were more unique in PDC (particularly the Japanese and Brazilian), but overall were good at each property--I think Iberostars have some of the better food/restaurant variety as compared to other all-inclusive chains (e.g, Occidental/ Diamond/ Caribbean Village/ Jack Tar and Breezes). The DR property has a fancy restaurant--I believe it was called Sibilia--which was great (although there was a set three or four course menu and if you didn't like what they were serving, you were out of luck). At one time, you had to pay extra for this restaurant, but when I was there two years ago it was included. The deal is the same with making reservations, and I believe it was 3 or 4 nights in an ala carte restaurant per week's stay. I did find, though, that if I went to the reservation desk on the other mornings when I didn't have a reservation, if the restaurants weren't full, I could eat there. I believe that I ate at an specialty restaurant every night but one.
The entertainment is campy at both places, but the theatre in PDC is superior to the one in the DR, where it seems like it was an afterthought rather than being part of the resort plan.
I don't know about the Star Friends or kids programs, as I'm not a real participant in activies (prefering to lie on the beach and read a book instead) and have no kids. But they certainly are present everywhere.
The DR also has a small casino and spa, but no cigar bar like PDC (which my husband really enjoyed). I loved both properties and wouldn't hesitate to return to either.
Jul 28th, 2003, 05:50 AM
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Penpen825, I will add to fluffnfolds great info about the IB. The Star Friends Club for kids was terrific. My 7yr.old son went to the camp. He had a great time. My other two sons joined in on some of the clubs programs & enjoyed them , but mostly wanted to swim in the pool & ocean. The people that ran the programs were wonderful with the kids.
Also, the Iberostar Bavaro jr. suites were quite nice. You may want to check them out.
Also, the Iberostar Bavaro jr. suites were quite nice. You may want to check them out.
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