Anna

Looking for feedback on resorts in Punta Cana Domincan Republic. Thinking of Paradisus, Bavaro Beach Resort, or ???? <BR>Thanks for any help!

Jeff

I did quite a bit of research, and spoke to more than a few travel agents. their synopsis of Punta Cana....... <BR>Every thing is All Inclusive because it has to be...there is nothing there but hotels. Beaches are nice...Nothing Historic to see(Like Ruins). probobly will be a nicer destination in a couple more years when Punta Cana will be able to offer travelers with more to do than stay on the beach for 7 days. <BR> <BR>take it for what its worth. If your predisposed to go there and are looking forward to it, you'll more than likely have a good time. If you haven''t been to Cozumel or Playacar, I think you would get a lot more value for the same $.

Cindy

Hi <BR>We just returned last week from Punta Cana. It was the most beautiful beach we'd seen in years! Very clean. We stayed and I highly recommend the Barcelo Bavaro Palace property - The rooms were spotless and the help very gracious. The language was our biggest problem (All Spanish) - But we found pointing and smiling helped us get what we wanted! By the end of the week we had learned a little Spanish to get us by. Don't drink the tap water - Bottled water is provided everywhere! My husband went snorkling and said it was very well worth the $7 charge - He got some really good pictures. If you stay at the Palace you can eat at any of the restaurants in the Barcelo complex (The beach resort, golf resort, casino resort or garden resort). The casino is small. There is also a disco there which was nice. We really enjoyed the trip and will go back again, maybe in a couple years when hopefully the English language is better understood. They are very hard working people.

Anna

Anyone else?

Rob

Anna....we agree on Barcelo Bavaro.....had a great trip there a couple of years ago. Didn't mind the language thing ourselves. Lots to do and loads of choice for dining. Cheers.

MIke

I too am reserching resorts in Punta Cana. I've narrowed my selections to (1)Paradisus-a little smaller than the others. (2) Barcelo Bavaro and (3)Melia Bavaro. <BR> <BR>I got a lot of individual resort info at applevacations.com. If you haven't been to that site already, that may help you out. <BR> <BR>

Sherry

If you don't mind going an hour away from Punta Cana, there is Casa del Mar in Bayahibe (near La Romana). We had a wonderful vacation there last year. It is a beautiful resort - most of the staff spoke English and the rest, at least understood it. We landed at Punta Cana and were bussed to this resort. we also took a day trip to Santo Domingo which was where the history was. It was well worth the price and we'd gladly return any day. I had recently recommended this rsort to a coulple who has been to various resorts in the DR and were looking for another place. They rated this resort best of all the others they had been to.

Anna

My husband wants a resort with golf on the property, I think that narrows it down to the Barcelo resort. Anyone golfed there?

judy

<BR>Hi, <BR>I would also like to know about the golf at Bavero? Is the Palace Bavaro that much nicer than the rest of the resort? <BR>Is it worth the extra money?

Debbie

<BR>We just returned from Punta Cana. We stayed at the Bavaro Palace. I would tell anyone to stay there it was spotless and and anything you could possibly want was there. You could eat steak and lobster every night if you like. The pool with a swim-up bar and massage huts on the beach 20.00 for an 1/2 hr. The only thing I suggest is learn some Spainish if you want to talk to anone Engish is had to come by. Don't Drink the water. The maids put water in your room daily and you can get water at any of the bars all free. They gave us robes in the room and a minibar stock with coke, 7 up, beer, water, and candy bars always restock every day. This was a great resort. We didn't care for allergo airlines they have a lot to learn but you cann't have everything <BR>DEB

Anna

Did either of you get sick while you were there? My husband is worried about stomach/intestinal problems and/or diarrhea.

Becky

I think he's smart to be concerned. I was sick the 2nd year in DR for 1 whole day & we had to call the doctor to our room twice. And that was at a 5* resort, Riu Merengue in Puerto Plata, which by the way is fabulous. I didn't brush my teeth with bottled water, which I did do this year. According to our tour rep, alot of the problem is people overeating, overdrinking, eating too much fruit compared to what they're used to, & she said the coconut milk in the fancy drinks is a natural laxative! So, this year I got all my shots (the whole family did) & I took antibiotics, which I got from a specialist for this purpose, & took them starting on day 2 & had not problems. Do take Immodium with you & take it at the first sign of any problems. I assume Punta Cana resorts will have good medical facilities as did our resort. It is scary to be sick when you're in a developing country.Do not let this discourage you from the DR---we love it.

Joe Raphael

Anna, Punta Cana is the best place in the Dominican, bar none. I agree with others about the Bavaro Beach Resort. Outside of Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I. always use bottled water. <BR>Have a wonderful trip and easy with the mid-day sun, it's a killer.

lori

by far the best resort i have ever stayed at-i recommend it to everyone and when i show my pictures they don't have to just take my word for it. the palace is great but the beach is just fine if you don't want to spend the extra $$. the palace is alot more qiuet for the older crowd while the beach resort has alot more happening. The employees bring out a huge 4' speaker out to the beach and give salsa leesons. it was great !!!!!!!!

Brenda

I have been to four resorts in the southern part of the D.R. Coral hamaca,costa linda,iberostar,club dominicus. Any questions?? <BR>Has anyone gone to coral canoa yet, this looks to be one of the best down there so far!!!!It was to open in nov. of this year... <BR>Some of the resorts down there have a hassel with drinks and sports. Some of the quests are quite rude, but the beaches are some of the best!!!

rita

Visited Punta cana bavaro beach last january. Beach was gorgeous absolutely. The diving and snorkeling was very very poor. I go on holidays to dive so was sorley disappointed. Food was mediocre most meals. Service was outstanding in all aspects room and grounds lovely but there was nothing and I do mean absolutley nothing to do. Personally I would not visit again although I am glad I went once. I am the type of person who needs some activity.

Linda

I too am looking for the best resort (all-inclusive) in Punta Cana. Plan to go in June of 2000. Want a place with activities as well as something to do at night (without paying extra). Am from the USA so a decent knowedge of English would be nice. Any ideas?

CORINNE

I POSTED A RESPONSE ON THE BOARD BEFORE. I WENT TO IBEROSTAR BAVARO AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR ME TO GO TO SOME OTHER HOTEL ON MY HONEYMOON BUT MY FIANCE & I WANT TO TRY ANOTHER PLACE. I HAVE A CO-WORKER WHO JUST CAME BACK FROM THE CASA DEL MAR IN D.R. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS LET ME KNOW.

LISA

My husband and I stayed at the barcelo bavaro palace last February and we thought the resort was great. I would highly recommend staying at the palace rather than the beach because you have access to everything. Only the people who stay at the palace have access to the restraunts there. The rooms were very spacious and were cleaned at least twice a day. The beach was one of the nicest I have ever seenand I've been to Cozumel, Hawaii, and the Grand Cayman islands. The only thing I did not like was that you were stuck at the resort and could not and really did not want to go exploring. Be very prepared to see alot of poverty from the drive from the grass hut airport. The only other down fall of the resort was you have to get up very early in the morning to "reserve" a lounge chair pool side.If you need any more info you can email me at [email protected]