Susan

I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic soon and am staying at the Paradise Beach Club Resort and Casino in Puerto Plata. After going through the topics of the forum I noticed that this hotel was not mentioned once and now I am getting worried. The resort was formally called Eurotel but apparently never made it as a hot spot with vacationers. Since then it has been renovated and renamed and I am told that it is "spectacular" The resort is in Playa Dorada and if anyone knows anything about it I would really appreciate all the help I could get. <BR>

jc

i have been to puerta plata, and stayed at the sand castle beach resort. the resort was ok, but i found the beaches there really ok, it is my least favorite place in the caribbean, and i would not return. i would save your money and go else where sorry. the best beaches in dominican republic are in the south of the island not in the north where puerta plata is. we had to drive a few hours to find a good beach that wasn't overly crowded, but i am quite particular.

Sharon

I stayed at Village on The Green. It was OK., but I prefer the beaches elsewhere in the Caribbean much better. If you are going to D.R. then Puerto Plata is O.K. as long as it is in the "protected area". We did receive a very good value for the price we paid at the all inclusive.

marie

I was in Puerto Plata this past New Years. We stayed at the Villas Dorada. I really wasn't all that impressed with the beach. The last 3 days of our stay (we were only there for a week) it rained You wouldn't believe the site of the beach after the rains. The beach was unusable it took the locals quite some time to clean it up. I have also heard of some other not so pleasant experiences in Puerto Plata BUT remember everyone is different and is looking for different experiences. I personally wouldn't go back to Puerto Plata. <BR> <BR>When you are there try to go on the Rum Runners tour, we were going to but it was rained out - I heard from others that it is great! Also, if you want to shop downtown you should go in a cab with a "guide". You won't have an enjoyable time if you don't. Just one last thing, if you can get to Sosua (not far from where you will be staying) I heard the beach there is beautiful and there are a lot of interesting vendors on the beach. We didn't get there again, because of the rain! Hope you have a good time. <BR> <BR>

Michel

We stayed at Hacienda Tropical (about 30 minutes west of Puerto Plata) and the beaches are great. Sosua is only about 15 minutes east of Puerto Plata. You might also consider an excursion to Santiago which includes a visit of a cigar factory, and a beautiful ranch in the mountains. Have fun!

Lynn

We stayed last Xmas at Paradise in D>R> We had a terrible time- room was not what the brochure claimed- water and drinks made me sick- food was okay but animals ( cats,dogs) were allowed to roam around. We'll never return. <BR>

Carol

Went to Puerto Plata in April for a wedding. We stayed at Gran Vantana, great food, drink and people. Other friends stayed at different hotels...unfortunately the food and accomodations were not as good as ours. Gran Vantana is an all inclusive and very good value for what we paid. We would go back again. Rum runner tour was fun. Took a cab to Santiago it is worth seeing the countryside. <BR> <BR>Hope you have fun.

lynne

<BR>I've been twice to the Domincan Republic and found it very good value for my money. I stayed at Jack Tar Village, Puerto Plata both times. The people in the Dominican are extremely friendly. If you go you MUST go on the Rum Runners Jeep tour -- it was wonderful -- you get to see the countryside as well as swim on a beautiful beach. I have amazing pictures from the trip. I also really enjoyed the tour into the mountains where you go to a ranch....although I did find the day VERY long. I would return there again anytime!! I hope all these people who had a bad time didn't turn you off visiting the Dominican Republic!!

frank

I just got back from Puerto Plata Sunday Oct.11/98. We stayed at all the all-inclusive RIU Mambo hotel. This hotel was built in the beginning of 1998, so everything was new. Plenty of activites during the day (volleyball, water polo, horse shoe toss, aerobics, dancing). Nightly entertainment with different themes and disco included. Jet ski, water skiing, kayaking and wind surfing was available. The beach was beautiful, and swimable with security provided by the hotel. The beach was located on the hotel site. In room all-inclusive bar, included liquor, water and soft drinks (Coke, Sprite, Fanta, club soda, tonica water) and replaced regularly. In room safe included at no extra cost. Remote control colour television that aired CNN Headline News, HBO, Showtime, Disney, Cinemax and other ethnic shows. Free beach and pool towels provided. Hotel stores are available. Umbrellas are provided in your rooms, should it rain. There are 2 fresh water pools and one wading pool for the children. The hotel will exchange US dollar, Canadian dollar, the British pound, German mark and other foreign currencies for the DR peso at the front desk. We took a taxi cab for a city tour. We got a bang for our travel buck. We were very impressed with everything!

Elio

My wife and I hated Puerto Plata. We will never return and I would not recommend it to anybody. I would be happy to offer details of the location and our trip if anyone is interested. <BR>

kim

I have been to Sosua, and am returning again this Jan. The Dominican people are very friendly and are polite if you are. Don't let people scare you off, it is a great place, snorkeling was fun, food was a great value, and a beautiful beach, what more can one ask for? Attitude and an open mind has a lot to do with traveling. Have a great time! <BR>

Bruce

We have a group of 24 adults staying at the Gran Ventana resort in late January. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have any information at all about this area besides the one posting? <BR>Can you visit other resorts in the area? Is ther gambling? What tours are suggested? What is included in the Rum Runners tour? Is there anything to be careful of in the whole Playa Dorado area? We all would appreciate any responses! <BR>Thanks!

Melodie

Hi <BR>We have just returned from Puerto Plata - Flamenco Beach Resort to be exact. We had a terrific holiday. The resort was lovely, the beach very acceptable and clean, the weather terrific and the Domincan people great. If anyone would like info regarding the resort etc. please feel free to contact me or post here. <BR> <BR>Melodie

Becky

Melodie: We are booked into the Flamenco for Mar. 7 & would appreciate all the details you can provide on the resort. Are the room any better than they look in the brochure? Did you take any tours that you can recommend or can we save $ by hiring a private taxi, e.g. to go snorkelling to Sousa. Any good nightclubs or casinos in Playa Dorado. <BR>Thanks in advance.

Aimee

Melodie <BR>We will be staying at the Flamenco Beach Resort and would appreciate any info. We are interested in going to Caberite Beach (Wind Surfing center). Have you heard of it? How far, transportation, etc. <BR>

Wendy

I have just returned from staying at the Playa Naco in the Playa Dorada Complex of Puerto Plata. I found the people to be very friendly both at the complex and Sosua. The snorkeling is very good in Sosua but I found our beach to be much nicer. The food at the Playa Naco was very good but tended to be a little more exotic and spicy (as in garlicy) than my husband and family cared for. This hotel serves only domestic beer and alcohol but the service is terrific and everything is very clean. The weather was humid and it did rain one morning and another afternoon. It is rather cool most nights and I would pack a light sweater. It is not the "perfect" island nor perfect island weather but it is well worth the money. If anyone has any questions - please e-mail me privately as I don't monitor this forum often. I would also be interested in any ideas for the future. We have also tried Club St. Lucia and loved it. Last year we took a sailboat tour of the Virgin Islands. [email protected]

Peg

Will be visiting the D.R. March 10/99. <BR>Will be staying at the Luperon Beach Resort. Book says 60 mins from airport. <BR>Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Its an All Incl. Will be travelling with kids. Hope there is lots to do for them. Book pictures look good. Reply ASAP Thanks...

Mary Beth

We visited Puerto Plata (stayed in Costambar) in Jan. and had a great time. Wonderful, friendly people, beautiful countryside and weather, fun excursions, etc. - very reasonably priced also. Definitely do a jeep tour - we used Dominicana Jones - excellent! You get a flavor for the country and better understand the people and their lifestyle. Good snorkeling (and scuba diving) and beach in Sosua. Great windsurfing in Cabarete. Both are taxicab away! We drank bottled water and didn't get sick. Would recommend the trip to anyone, but must keep an open-mind when traveling to such a site - appears poor on the surface, but natives don't think so and take much pride in the minimal possessions they have.

Peg

Stayed at Luperon Beach Resort, 60 mins. from Puerto Plata airport. Was a great resort at a fantastic all incl.price. Was really too far away to walk to the city, and too far to do any shopping. However there are vendors set up along the beach. The beach was quite large, with a smaller area roped off for swimming. The resort is set on 16 acres of lush grounds, with villas and 2 or 3 storey hotel rooms. Rooms are moderatly furnished, some older that others, but quite acceptable. food was great, drinks great, 2 big pools, 2 hot tubs, and nightly entertainment. Weather was great. Did the Rum Runners tour,and would reccommend that to all who go.What a great way to see the land and the culture. It is not the prettiest place in the Carribbean, but it is the best bet for your money. would not hesitate to stay at Luperon Beach resort again. If action, hustle and bustle are what you are after, than this is not the place to be. Very laid back. You make your own fun. I will gladley share any more info with anyone interested.

Gianni

Just came back from Puerto Plata: <BR>If you're going there for sunshine and relax it is OK, but don't expect too much. <BR>I staied out of "Playa Dorada" resorts in the older part of Puerto Plata; there you can see the real dominican life (they are very poor and looking at them didn't make me feel comfortable at all!) <BR>Anyway I used to move with their means of transportation (you must try at least once the "motoconcho: great!) and I had dinner in the same places where they go. <BR>It is less comfortable then the resort but you spend at least 70% less. <BR>I spent 18 usd per night in a good 3 star hotel! <BR>If you get inside the resort's area everything changes. <BR>Ciao! <BR>