Is my mom paranoid re: 18 year-olds to Punta Cana
 

We are 4 post-highschool girls (aged 18-19) looking to go to an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican to celebrate graduation. We have researched for many years, choosing only 4-5* resorts. As you can imagine, we are on a limited budget (1500 or less) My mom (who's a travel freak) is a little worried about this - the water and food can be unsafe, and the staff there she says can be a little 'freaky.' I understand why she's worried, but I've heard lots of stories of girls my age going and having a great time - if you were my parent, would you let me go, why or why not, and if not, where else could we go for a week on that budget that is all-inclusive and a little safer?

I have a teenager and I think that I would be worried too. Not that bad things don't happen everywhere but 4 young girls going to a foreign country unescorted is like inviting trouble. I don't think the DR is any more dangerous that Jamaica or the Bahamas. My cousins just went on Spring Break to Disney World and had a great time. Maybe Florida would be safer. There are some beautiful beaches there. In the DR do not drink the water and eat only the food in your resort. The food on some of the trips can be risky Can't you have some older friends accompany you. Maybe a more experienced couple. If you do go, stay at a good resort with a decent reputation and only venture out on organized trips. Just be careful like you would be anywhere!

It's outside the US. Bring a Mom.

I have two late teen age sons and wouldn't think about letting them go. Going to a another country is very different than taking a trip to the shore. Looks to me like you want to leave the US so that you don't have to worry about the drinking age and can party. A recipe for trouble! Wait a few more years, go to college, go to Florida. Dominican Republic is a Third World country, nothing like the US. <BR>I agree with the person before me DR is probably no worse than Jamaica or Nassau but you probably shouldn't be alone in New York City for a week either. I am an open minded mom, let my son go to WoodStock a couple years ago, he was smart enough to come home when things got too wild at the end. With each experience he learns a little more and goes farhter from home. <BR>Last summer we took the family to Jamaica, the teens walked the beach and meet the locals, who offered Ganga, the boys told me and they just said no thanks and kept walking. Would girls be left alone? Who knows but I think you are too young to find out. <BR>1

Hi! Just looking over my replies and wanted to clarify some tiny details - we are actually from Canada. And drinking is not a motive - we are clean, honor roll students who actually would like to go because of the beach (something we can't find at Disneyworld, although this is one of our other choices) I have been on various trips outside N America before including Australia, New Zealand and Japan, as well as other countries with my family (Paris at night might be just as sleazy as a beach in Jamaica, and San Francisco isn't exactly a jogger's cup of tea) Thanks for all your input!!

Mothers--I guess it depends on how mature the kids are, and how experienced with travel. Do you trust them? Do they make good decisions in every day life? Are they naive? <BR>Just meaning to say, I'm 19 and have traveled out of the country alone. Everything was great. <BR>The odds of them doing something stupid/making a mistake are the same as they are in the states--but the consequences can be far worse. Consider, however, that the resort areas at ANY Caribbean island are far safer than downtown areas of metropolitan cities in the US. The "kids" are 18 and 19 years old--more than old enough to be out and about on their own. <BR>One valid point you have is the water and food issue--that's the sole reason we chose to go to Jamaica this summer instead of DR. If you're sincerly worried about their safety offer to "pitch in" a little bit and help them to pay for somewhere safer, but costlier, i.e. Bahamas or Virgin Islands. <BR>My recommendation would be Club Med Turks and Caicos--fantastic beach, great sunbathing, fantastic food (by college student standards :-D ), and plenty of activities. <BR> <BR>Just my two cents, not trying to take your job away moms :-D <BR> <BR> <BR>

okay you are 18-19 year olds and you need moms permission to go on a trip out of canada?? Then no, you are not mature enough to go alone!! Maybe you better stick to a day trip to Toronto.

This is just a message for Lisa - if I were an inconsiderate daughter and made decisions based entirely on my own wants instead of respecting my parents' feelings, then maybe I wouldn't need their permission. As it is, I still live in their house, and although my entire life is not swayed by their opinions (they have never deprived me of anything, and give me total freedom until it infringes on my safety or health) I'd like to think I was considerate enough to take their feelings into my decision. So which mentality is the mature one?

I have been to the Dominican, many times, and I think it is safe, but you can never be too careful. If you are a group of 4, I would always go out as a group, not alone. If you are taking a tour, go on an organized tour.Most the of hotels in the Dominican have discos, so you do not necessarily have to leave the resort at night, which means you won't have to take cabs to get to a disco or nightclub. Concerning the water or food, first of all if it is an all inclusive, you can have bottled water, and the food in a 4 or 5 star hotel, tends to be pretty good. <BR> <BR>Since you are 18-19 years of age, of course you do not need permission to travel, but it is always nice to know that your parents do not have second thoughts, about you travelling to a certain place. I applaud you for considering their feelings.

Bravo for your note back to Lisa. Don't know why people get on these sites to give others a hard time. <BR>

Wow Christina, you just impressed me very much with your response to Lisa. Your mom must be very proud of you. <BR> <BR>That said, I still say bring "a mom". Although I have no doubts about you, (you are a rare bird indeed) your youth can tend to make you a target...better safe than sorry, right? And hey, us moms could use some R&R too! <BR> <BR>Congratulations on your graduation.

I'd say if you stick to hanging out at the resort the entire time (or as much as possible) and stick together as much as possible, you will be fine. No matter what your age, parents worry and that's natural. You sound mature enough so if YOU feel comfortable with it, I think you should go for it. You will have a wonderful time and something to remember forever. Do it now while you're young and promise to call your parents at least once a day (just find out prior to your trip the cheapest way to do it). Just always be on the lookout of potentially dangerous situations, like you would anywhere.

Christina, <BR> <BR>From reading your e-mails, you sound much more mature than an 18-year old. Your mother must be proud of a very considerate daughter and I don't think she should be worried about the four of you going to the Dominican Republic. I recently returned from a vacation in the Dominican Republic. I'm 30 and I was a little worried traveling to the D.R. with my sister. However, I can honestly tell you that all my fears were for nothing. I felt very safe - I traveled through Apple Tours - I felt better knowing someone would be meeting me at the airport, transporting me to the hotel and back to the airport at the end of my vacation. I stayed at the Mac Bavaro Grand. There were many young women your age and they seemed to enjoy themselves. Personally, for that age I didn't think it was as lively as an 18-year old would want. I only went on 1 excursion while on vacation(which I highly recommend) - it's the Kontiki Party Boat. For $50 (U.S.), you have about 4 hours on the boat (1 hour of which is snorkeling and the rest is having fun on the boat). It's all you can drink (alcohol or non-alcohol) and they have snacks. My sister and I don't drink and we had a fabulous time. I did a lot of research about which hotel to choose and somehow came up with the Mac Bavaro Grand. I read so many reviews about so many different hotels that my head was spinning. My sister and I just wanted to relax and veg-out on vacation so nightlife and such was not a big deal to us. For more extensive info on the Dominican Republic and its resorts, go to www.debbiesdominicantravel.com. That's where I got all of my information from. Anyway, don't hesitate to e-mail me if you would like more info. Good luck with your mom!!!

Just Go! I'm just a couple years older than you (also from Canada) and my friends were going down to Acapulco when we were 19...no problem! Just look after eachother (don't leave eachother alone) - just like you would if you were on any trip! It's really no biggie - i travel all the time and there are 19 year olds everywhere having a great time. <BR> <BR>P.S. Cuba is fun! Varadero especially!

Lisa...you seem like a smart kid and I know you'll do well on your own..I'm not a teenager but I'm in my twenties so I can relate to your dilemma because I don't have kids. The best place I would recommend you to go to in the DR is Punta Cana..it is quite safe because the are no cities nearby, only tourist resorts and you practically stay at the hotel all day long and enjoy yourself..don't be paranoid about water or food...jesus !! Just be responsible and use common sense..that's all. I hope you make it..!!