are the bugs (mosquitoes, gnats, etc) worse in the dominican republic than on other caribbean islands? we're thinking of going in april.

HHHmm, been several times to Punta Cana and do not remember bugs being an issue. They must not have been that bad because I definately remember them in Costa Rica ! Huge mosquitos at Palo Verde river and the hotel...I think the breeze at the beach helps...

thanks. that's good to hear. we're looking at punta cana/bavaro region. what time of year were you there?

I was in Punta Cana in May of 2000 and I was eaten alive by mosquitoes. I spoke with other women on the bus ride to the airport and they too were eaten alive. I must have had (and I'm not lying!) 50 bites on each leg. Strange thing, none of the men were bitten as bad as the women. We would not go back for safety issues on the island.

Would not go back because of safety issues?

What issues?

We are going to DP in Feb is there something we should know?

Hi there,

We were in Punta Cana in October and the mosquitos were terrible. At dusk they would literally swarm anyone standing near a light of any kind. In the evenings they were even inside the air conditioned casino.

Be sure to take a large can of Deep Woods Off when you go.

Schultz

I've been to DR more than dozen times, Punta Cana alone 7,8 times.I think it depends on how well the resorts take care of this problem. The ONLY place in Punta Cana I was biten a little bit was at Breezes.

We were at Carcelo Bavaro Beach last year in March...no problems with mosquitoes at all. We DID however run into a mosquito issue when we stayed in La Romana the year before.

Like anywhere else, it is best to be prepared and bring repellent....if you don't need it - all the better!!

Responding to the safety issues.

I don't think a vacation is a vacation if I cannot leave the resort area w/o having serious concerns for safety. Again I was there in 2000, but there were armed guards surrounding the resort "compound". They actually advised us not to leave the resort after dark and to be VERY careful if we left during the day.

Another issue we had was with the airport, and again it could have changed since we were there. There were no computer systems there which tells me there probably was no air traffic control. When flights were landing and departing the crew lines the isle of the plane and has you raise the little visors on the windows to look for other air traffic coming and going.

Our last problem was the only person at our resort that spoke fluent english was the concierge. Neither my husband nor I speak fluent spanish, so this created some communication problems. I had spainish in high school, but only remembered certain words. We stayed at what was previously the Melia Bavaro (next to the Paradisus).

The beaches there were gorgeous, but, and please don't tear me apart for this b/c everybody's entitled to their opinion, I'd rather go somewhere that has the same beautiful beaches yet I can see the island such as Aruba, Curasao, USVI, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, etc.

I know there are some people that love Punta Cana b/c it is an inexpensive vacation, but it wasn't for us.

I have heard that for some reason, if you eat bannanas, you are more likly to get bitten than if not. Don't know if that is true, but a lady I know who travels to the Caribbean all the time, and her husband is from the Caribbean, and that is what she swears to.

We were there in Feb. 2000 and we did not see any mosquitos or any bugs for that matter. I am sure it depends on the time of year. We were told by a travel agent not to eat any fish while there. She felt that was the cause of some people taking sick. Not sure about the bananna story. My husband did take very ill right after we returned home. We have never known the reason why. Not sure what who or what to blame it on however, we would not travel there again. The beaches are very nice.

Safety Concerns.
Armed guards at resort, can't go out at night, mosquitos, airport with No air control, natives who speak spanish.

Wow! Hope I haven't made a mistake in booking a "cheap" 2 weeks in Punta Cana.

We didn't have any bug issues when in Puerto Plata in 2002.

I will comment on security issues. Everybody, let's remember that this is a very poor island with tourism as its major means of support.

Every 'responsible' resort has security because they know the same thing. That's why they make the resorts fully inclusive and very, very nice. Many will also have some kind of function once a week where local merchants are brought into a common area on-site, not just on the beach or at the edge of the property, to expose guests to local crafts, art, cigars, jewelry, etc. They want to make you not want to leave. Kinda like Disney World with liquor and bikinis.

From experience, walks along the beach during the day are not a problem. Vendors may/will get pushy, but a security issue? No.

If you go off-site in a group, you're with a group, so you're fine. The excursion may or may not satisfy you, but a security issue? No.

So, yes, there will be armed security. Don't let it frighten you. Accept it for what it is and be as careful as you normally would be in any away-from-home situation that you're unfamiliar with.

Enjoy!

I read the reports on the don/t go out of the compound and I laugh.

Don't you know that the biggest sucker bet around is for the all inclusives to scare you into "only spending" where they control your dollar.

It is their "appoved vendors" and tour companies, you book!

I have been to the DR almost 1 dozen times and never stayed in "a compound" but once, [1 night only at Club Med Punta Cana]...and also never had a problem outside of it!

The fears perpetrated against folks that "prefer all inclusives" is a worst crime, than anything found ouside of the compound.

Because of the new popularity of all inclusives in the DR, I am able to stay at independenty owned smaller beachfront hotels for as little as $10 -$25 a night!

Don't belive me?

Check it out: [Cut & paste url below]

http://www.hispaniola.com/CaribeSurf...SurfHotel.html

We have been to the Dom Rep several times and have never been afraid to go out of the complexes. The people are great and very friendly so go and enjoy yourselves and don't worry about anything. You have made a good choice. I will give you my little tip that I stumbled over this year in Mexico. regarding mosquito bites.My eyes get puffy when I travel in a plane and when I sunbathe so I thought I would do as the models do and put haemorrhoid cream on them and it worked.A few days into my holiday I got a couple of mossie bites and boy did they itch so I put the cream on them and never suffered again, I will never travel without it in future. Hope this helps someone else as it did me.