My husband and I (mid 50's) are trying to decide between Aruba and Punta Cana for a weeks vacation in May. We are looking to stay at a all-inclusive and do plenty of relaxing and some sight-seeing. Any thoughts on which would be better?

Vicki: The 2 are very different islands (we honeymooned in Aruba and recently returned from Punta Cana). First is the language thing. Everyone in Aruba speaks English, whereas DR is a spanish speaking country and even at the all-inclusives, not everyone speaks english. Not a lot of sight seeing in either place, although you can rent a car in Aruba one day and hit the 2 or 3 sights. DR is quite poverty stricken and unless you go to Santo Domingo which is a 3 hour ride from Punta Cana, there is nothing worth seeing outside the walls of your resort. Shopping is also better in Aruba. I also wouldn't do an all-inclusive in Aruba as there are many restaurants on the island that are great. The weather is very similar with nice beaches and constant breezes. I guess I would need to know what else you're looking for to be able to help guide you better. We loved both places but they certainly have a distinctly different flavors. One last thing, we tended to find a majority of americans in Aruba whereas the crowd was much more international in Punta Cana. Hope this helps a little. Please email back if you need more info.

Vicki: what sort of budget are you working with? Karen summed up the two islands very well. All inclusives in Aruba and the Dr. are quite different, when it comes to prices. You can probably get a 5 star property in the Dr, for what you would pay in a 3 star property in Aruba. If money is not an object, and you would be happy with limited sightseeing, then I would choose Aruba. The beaches are beautiful, the weather is pretty much guaranteed, and they don't have the poverty, that the DR has.

Definately agree with both opinions. I've been to Aruba many times and never tire of it..its small and safe and the beaches are glorious. Don't take the all inclusive in Aruba. It's more fun to eat out..they have great choices of food. At Punta Cana you are destined to stay in your hotel all week long..more like a Club Med type of vacation which on the fourth or fifth day can be somewhat boring. And one tip..if you're choosing Punta Cana don't stay at the Occidental Flamingo Resort unless you want to wake up at 4 am in order to head to the beach and place your towel on one of the few huts that will offer shade all through the day..!! Aruba has movie theaters, casinos, night life, shopping and a couple of good sightseeing spots !!

Hi Vicki, <BR> <BR> My husband, 2 daughters and I just returned from 2 weeks in Punta Cana. We had a great time at the Catalonia Resort (tons of chairs - never did we have to hunt for lounge chairs and the resort was full). I have never been to Aruba, but being a former travel agent, I know it can be very expensive to eat out, rent cars etc. If money is no object - Aruba would be a good choice - but if you are looking for something a bit cheaper, Punta Cana was great - also at this time of year you get more Canadians and Americans than in <BR>the fall and winter. If you go to the DR - take the shuttle boat from your beach to Captain Cooks for lunch. It was great - fresh lobsters, shrimp, fish <BR>BBQ'ed right on the beach! <BR> Hope you have a good vacation where ever you go. <BR> Kim

Thank you for all your replies and information. It sounds like we will probably go to Punta Cana in order to experience something out of the ordinary. We have researched hotels and wonder if anyone has any information on the Royal Resort "Uvero Alto"? I understand that it is fairly new. Thanks again for everyone's help. <BR>Vicki

Hi Vicki! I am also considering the Royal Uvero Alto (and the Paradisus) as possibilities for a September vacation. There are quite a few reviews on the Uvero Alto at www.debbiesdominicantravel.com Some of them have been quite positive, some of them have been quite negative. It is always hard to sort out the truth from the exageration. I hope that the more people go and the more reviews get posted, that a "pattern" will start to emerge.

Vicki and Mariarosa: I'm the person who answered your initial post back on the 24th. We were in Punta Cana the first week in February and stayed at the Paradisus. I also checked debbie's website a lot before going and found a lot of contradictory information. People's experiences varied so greatly based on their tastes in food, the chefs who might have been on staff at the time of their vacation. I also noted that the people who complained about it being buggy were there in October - as we had no problem at all with insects of any sort. We also had a good time with a very friendly and gracious staff. Again, that may be due partially with the open attitude we arrived with or just the staff who was working when we were there. You need to sift through the reviews (I posted one there too) to try to get the best overall impression. They're both supposed to be top-notch resorts on the island and that was certainly true of the Paradisus. If you have any specific questions with regards to this resort, please don't hesitate to email back. I'd be happy to help any way I can. Oh and by the way, we never had to reserve lounge chairs for the beach.

Ladies...is there a reading problem running around..? the resort which has problems with finding available beach huts with shade is in the OCCIDENTAL FLAMINGO !! not any of the others you suggested....just trying to caution Vicki because my mom stayed at this hotel and suffered the pain of having to wake up everyday at dawn to do the towel-placing ritual....

PC: No, we do not have a reading problem...I do know that the Occidental is not the only resort where one has to basically camp out to get lounge chairs. I had heard several similar reports. Therefore, I just wanted Vicki to know that the Paradisus was not one of these places.

Karen: You have really been helpful. I did read the reveiws on Debbie's web site, but become so confused over the contradictory reviews that I have to admit that I did not finish reading them. Either the complainers were very particular people or do not adjust well to different cultures. I hope someone will respond on this web site that has been there.<BR>Thanks again.<BR>Vicki

Vicki: Are you set on the Uvero Alto? If so, why? At any rate, other than the posts you've read, a good source for info would be a travel agent that you respect. If he/she has had clients visit that particular resort recently, she could get their views for you. If you are still open regarding the resort and would like info on the Paradisus, please email back and I'd be happy to provide as much detailed info as I can. Good luck.

karen, did you file a trip report anywhere on the Paradisus and do you know how to get a brochure for this resort - we are a family of 4 and are looking into this resort for next March<BR>Do you have any recomendations for rooms - we prefer a quiet room central to everything preferably with a beach view. Also did you worry about food posoning - reading some of those reports it is scary if you have children! Also did you do any side trips? any info would be appreciated. thanks!

Debbie: I did file a trip report at www.debbiesdominicantravel.com. Check it out; I think it's pretty comprehensive. Also, the Paradisus is a Melia property so if you call Melia (I think it's 1-800-33-MELIA) they would probably have a brochure - but I'll tell you no pictures will do it justice. Paradise! As for rooms, it's almost impossible to get a room right on the beach as there are very few of those and they seem to be reserved for time-share owners and honeymooners. If you want something central, request a room near the pool - that seems to be the central point. I really didn't have problems with the food but I also took Pepto chewables every morning just as a preventative measure. And then I ate and drank everything. <BR>We did not do any side trips. Read some of the posts on that other website for people's thoughts. We did go horseback riding one day which was included in the resort but 10 minutes outside the resort. I hadn't gone in years and I paid for it dearly - my saddle was just too big - but others had a blast. Hope this was helpful and please email back if I can answer any more questions for you.

Just came back from Çatalonia last night in Punta Cana.. all travelers on plane agreed food at resorts were just okay,, area caters to Europeans or did.. Punta Cana is very isolated..for more info please write.. My pictures will be on internet within week.,,I hope

Hi Vicki, If you haven't booked your trip yet I would pick Aruba over Punta Cana. We went July of 1999 and loved it. Stayed at Divi Resort all-inclusive in a lanai on the beach. Just walked out our door and there was the beach. Food was good shows were fine and drinks were supper. I was thinking of going to Punta Cana this year but saw too many reviews of people getting ill. I can't and won't take that chance. I know it is considerably cheaper. We have chosen Antigua. Good luck. would love to see your post when you return. have a great trip. Regards, Mary