Loved the Dominican Republic
Feb 15th, 2010, 08:41 AM
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Loved the Dominican Republic
I had the privilege of spending 8 nights with my old college friends who live in the Dominican, the first week of this month (February 2010). My friends have had their business in the Dominican for 30 years, so I had my own private 'local' guides. I will say that it might be difficult to see the country like I saw it, without local friends showing me all the special hidden treasures.
I flew into Santo Domingo, and my friends suggested we spend the night in the city, so we could see the colonial section. They said many people fly in and go straight to a resort, without getting the flavor of the real DR. It was a brilliant idea.
We stayed that night at a little B&B hotel that was amazing, and unexpected. I discovered how opening a plain wooden door on a very simple little street, would lead to an interior garden paradise with sparkling clean tile floors and charming little rooms.
We walked around that night, and went to a little restaurant my friend likes. Again, without having my friend's suggestion, we probably never would have found this place. It was authentic DR food. My friend ordered goat, so we could try it. It was actually very good, primarily because of the great sauce it was in. My shrimp creole was amazing.
One side-note: Every bill I saw was so low, I was constantly amazed at the value you get for the money in the DR. US dollars are accepted, as well as pesos. The dinner we had for six people included cocktails, two bottles of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and entrees for each of us. It came to 1000 pesos each, or about $28 each. What a refreshing change from being in Europe or London, and cringing at every bill!
The next morning we walked and visited the oldest cathedral in the New World, saw the Christopher Columbus fortress, and enjoyed the local markets.
We then set off on our drive to their home, which is a golf villa at Casa de Campo, near La Romana. We stopped for lunch at a very nice waterside restaurant, at a city on our way.
Casa de Campo is a very large, upscale place with a white sand private beach for swimming and snorkeling and kayaking, three golf courses, a polo field, a gorgeous hotel, clubhouse, shops, and all the amenities. It was very nice and very relaxing to just hang there with my friends.
My friends have a housekeeper who has been with them 30 years, and she made amazing meals for us. (Owners rent out their places on VRBO, and it seemed like a good deal, as the price even includes a daily housekeeper/cook.)
One day we took a little skiff with a guide, going up the Chavon river and fishing as we went.
After a few days of being decadent and lazy, my friend asked if we'd like to see more of the DR, and spend the night in a mountain lodge. It was a 2.5 hour drive, over narrow, bumpy roads, through sugar cane fields and mountain towns.
The sugar is harvested by hand, using machetes, and then hauled by oxen teams to the train. It was really cool to see them at work.
The people in the towns were so friendly, and I was struck by this consistently welcoming attitude of every single Dominican I met. My friend knew the roadside places to stop on our day-trip, to get the best honey, oranges, crab meat. And we stopped to see cocoa beans and coffee beans drying in the sun at tiny little farms.
We saw people going about their day on little horses, donkeys and mules. Also lots of motorcycles, but few can afford a car. Kids walking to and from their schoolhouses, dressed in uniforms and carrying their backpacks. Really a pleasant rural scene.
I did feel a bit over-privileged, as we passed by all these people, in our air-conditioned vehicle. But not once did I see anyone react unpleasantly to us. Instead, they smiled and waved at us.
Our destination hotel was really unique. Built a few years ago by a Dominican, out of all local wood, stone and other materials. Sparkling clean (as was every place I saw in the DR) with a waterfall pool. My room had a balcony overlooking open country.
We took a private guided motorboat tour, through the mangroves, into the bay of Los Haitises National Park. We examined two caves with ancient carvings, and walked through a 'humid forest'. It was a three-hour tour like none I've ever taken. Fortunately, we had clear beautiful weather for this.
Again, I was surprised at the value. Our bill came to $83 apiece, which included one night's private lodging, three meals (with lots of rum and wine!), AND the private tour through the park.
Our weather everyday was clear and gorgeous, in fact. High 80s, but not overly humid. Nights were in the high 60s. Really perfect.
So my week-long visit in the Dominican Republic was way beyond my expectations.
P.S. I'm sorry I don't have the names of the hotels and the restaurants! I will have to ask my friend if anyone's interested in knowing them.
I flew into Santo Domingo, and my friends suggested we spend the night in the city, so we could see the colonial section. They said many people fly in and go straight to a resort, without getting the flavor of the real DR. It was a brilliant idea.
We stayed that night at a little B&B hotel that was amazing, and unexpected. I discovered how opening a plain wooden door on a very simple little street, would lead to an interior garden paradise with sparkling clean tile floors and charming little rooms.
We walked around that night, and went to a little restaurant my friend likes. Again, without having my friend's suggestion, we probably never would have found this place. It was authentic DR food. My friend ordered goat, so we could try it. It was actually very good, primarily because of the great sauce it was in. My shrimp creole was amazing.
One side-note: Every bill I saw was so low, I was constantly amazed at the value you get for the money in the DR. US dollars are accepted, as well as pesos. The dinner we had for six people included cocktails, two bottles of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and entrees for each of us. It came to 1000 pesos each, or about $28 each. What a refreshing change from being in Europe or London, and cringing at every bill!
The next morning we walked and visited the oldest cathedral in the New World, saw the Christopher Columbus fortress, and enjoyed the local markets.
We then set off on our drive to their home, which is a golf villa at Casa de Campo, near La Romana. We stopped for lunch at a very nice waterside restaurant, at a city on our way.
Casa de Campo is a very large, upscale place with a white sand private beach for swimming and snorkeling and kayaking, three golf courses, a polo field, a gorgeous hotel, clubhouse, shops, and all the amenities. It was very nice and very relaxing to just hang there with my friends.
My friends have a housekeeper who has been with them 30 years, and she made amazing meals for us. (Owners rent out their places on VRBO, and it seemed like a good deal, as the price even includes a daily housekeeper/cook.)
One day we took a little skiff with a guide, going up the Chavon river and fishing as we went.
After a few days of being decadent and lazy, my friend asked if we'd like to see more of the DR, and spend the night in a mountain lodge. It was a 2.5 hour drive, over narrow, bumpy roads, through sugar cane fields and mountain towns.
The sugar is harvested by hand, using machetes, and then hauled by oxen teams to the train. It was really cool to see them at work.
The people in the towns were so friendly, and I was struck by this consistently welcoming attitude of every single Dominican I met. My friend knew the roadside places to stop on our day-trip, to get the best honey, oranges, crab meat. And we stopped to see cocoa beans and coffee beans drying in the sun at tiny little farms.
We saw people going about their day on little horses, donkeys and mules. Also lots of motorcycles, but few can afford a car. Kids walking to and from their schoolhouses, dressed in uniforms and carrying their backpacks. Really a pleasant rural scene.
I did feel a bit over-privileged, as we passed by all these people, in our air-conditioned vehicle. But not once did I see anyone react unpleasantly to us. Instead, they smiled and waved at us.
Our destination hotel was really unique. Built a few years ago by a Dominican, out of all local wood, stone and other materials. Sparkling clean (as was every place I saw in the DR) with a waterfall pool. My room had a balcony overlooking open country.
We took a private guided motorboat tour, through the mangroves, into the bay of Los Haitises National Park. We examined two caves with ancient carvings, and walked through a 'humid forest'. It was a three-hour tour like none I've ever taken. Fortunately, we had clear beautiful weather for this.
Again, I was surprised at the value. Our bill came to $83 apiece, which included one night's private lodging, three meals (with lots of rum and wine!), AND the private tour through the park.
Our weather everyday was clear and gorgeous, in fact. High 80s, but not overly humid. Nights were in the high 60s. Really perfect.
So my week-long visit in the Dominican Republic was way beyond my expectations.
P.S. I'm sorry I don't have the names of the hotels and the restaurants! I will have to ask my friend if anyone's interested in knowing them.
Feb 15th, 2010, 11:28 AM
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It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
We're leaving in a few days for the north side of the DR, Las Canas near Cabarete. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the people and the island and looking forward to our trip.
We're leaving in a few days for the north side of the DR, Las Canas near Cabarete. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the people and the island and looking forward to our trip.
Feb 25th, 2010, 10:33 AM
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Great report! I would be very interested in the name of the B&B Hotel and restaurant you visited in Santo Domingo. We will be staying in that city before and after our villa rental. Thanks in advance!
Feb 26th, 2010, 01:43 AM
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Hola, PeaceOut. Having "chatted" with you prior to your trip, I had been watching for your report. You did a wonderful job of capturing the color and flavor of the DR---makes me long to go back, even having just been there in December.
Thank you for the detailed descriptions. Your comments about the friendliness of Dominicans and especially about how far our foreign currency can go are just the thing to encourage others to travel there. As I mentioned before your trip, you are fortunate indeed to have friends who live there...giving you the chance to experience the real DR, not just the typical AI beach week.
I too would love to know more about your hotel/restaurant in Sto.Dgo. I have my favorites but am always looking for new recommendations.
So happy you enjoyed your DR experience--and thanks again for reporting back.
Thank you for the detailed descriptions. Your comments about the friendliness of Dominicans and especially about how far our foreign currency can go are just the thing to encourage others to travel there. As I mentioned before your trip, you are fortunate indeed to have friends who live there...giving you the chance to experience the real DR, not just the typical AI beach week.
I too would love to know more about your hotel/restaurant in Sto.Dgo. I have my favorites but am always looking for new recommendations.
So happy you enjoyed your DR experience--and thanks again for reporting back.
Mar 1st, 2010, 04:57 PM
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I found the name of the eco-lodge we stayed, on the north coast:
Hotel Paraiso Cano Hondo
Dominican Republic
It is in the Los Haitises National Park. Really an amazing place to stay
Am still waiting to get the name of the Santo Domingo restaurant and hotel. I do know the little hotel was in the colonial section and we assumed it was operating "off the books" because they only accept cash. May be hard to find, even having its name. But I will keep trying.
Hotel Paraiso Cano Hondo
Dominican Republic
It is in the Los Haitises National Park. Really an amazing place to stay
Am still waiting to get the name of the Santo Domingo restaurant and hotel. I do know the little hotel was in the colonial section and we assumed it was operating "off the books" because they only accept cash. May be hard to find, even having its name. But I will keep trying.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 08:24 AM
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BeachGirl, did you post your trip report yet? Glad to hear you had a good time!
So, here is the name of the little Santo Domingo hotel, especially for Lifes2short:
Villa Colonial in the Colonial section of Santo Domingo
www.villacolonial.net
My single room was $70, cash only.
So, here is the name of the little Santo Domingo hotel, especially for Lifes2short:
Villa Colonial in the Colonial section of Santo Domingo
www.villacolonial.net
My single room was $70, cash only.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 08:26 AM
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Website for Cano Hondo in Sabana de Mar
http://www.paraisocanohondo.com/
http://www.paraisocanohondo.com/
Mar 3rd, 2010, 03:17 AM
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PeaceOut--thanks for the follow-up info. I'll be checking it out shortly. I have a feeling I'll like your little Zona Colonial hotel.
We're in Paris at the moment--my OTHER favorite destination--but I hope to be planning a DR trip soon after we return.
Thanks again !
We're in Paris at the moment--my OTHER favorite destination--but I hope to be planning a DR trip soon after we return.
Thanks again !
Mar 3rd, 2010, 07:41 AM
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Yes, I think you will like it, too, lifes2short.
I took photos of it that I will try to post to my Fodors profile, so you can see the inside of it. They also served a very nice continental breakfast w/juice and coffee (included in my $70).
It doesn't look like I can get the name of the restaurant, though. It was my friend's friend who recommended it, and I am not in contact with him directly. You could ask at the hotel, I'm sure. It was just a block or two from the hotel.
I took photos of it that I will try to post to my Fodors profile, so you can see the inside of it. They also served a very nice continental breakfast w/juice and coffee (included in my $70).
It doesn't look like I can get the name of the restaurant, though. It was my friend's friend who recommended it, and I am not in contact with him directly. You could ask at the hotel, I'm sure. It was just a block or two from the hotel.
Mar 3rd, 2010, 08:35 AM
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I was able to post just one photo of the little hotel. It is taken from my room, looking down the open-air corridor to the lobby and the front door. There is a garden to the right, with a lovely seating area, too. But I apparently can't post more than one photo on my profile.
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