collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?  (Read 7962 times)

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« on: September 15, 2021, 10:11:16 AM »
Since Italy was a bust due to China flu, looking into the Dominican Republic for a vacation.  Anyone who has been there have recommendations? Best time of year for weather, Caribbean side for better water, all inclusive, snorkeling and maybe adult only resorts?  Cousin really like punta Cana but it's on the Atlantic side, heard there is a difference??
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline 7mmfan

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+7)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 5374
  • Location: Marysville
    • https://www.facebook.com/rory.oconnor.9480
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2021, 10:16:08 AM »
Several years ago now, 2016 I believe, my wife and I stayed at Excellence Resort near Punta Cana. Adults only, all inclusive. It was great. We would go back in a second. The water was somewhat rough most of the time, not great snorkeling opportunities right there, but a short walk down the beach had a reef that offered better options.
I hunt, therefore I am.... I fish, therefore I lie.

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2021, 10:55:12 AM »
Several years ago now, 2016 I believe, my wife and I stayed at Excellence Resort near Punta Cana. Adults only, all inclusive. It was great. We would go back in a second. The water was somewhat rough most of the time, not great snorkeling opportunities right there, but a short walk down the beach had a reef that offered better options.
so on the Atlantic side but it still had good water, what time of year did you go? Was the food any good? I know it’s been a while but have to ask.
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline jeffro

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 826
  • Location: Camano Island
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2021, 11:05:18 AM »
I wouldn’t leave American soil during these times
Hawaii is always nice, and less travel time than the Caribbean
One shot. One kill!

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 12521
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2021, 12:08:04 PM »
DR is great, I went down there when my brother was in the Peace Corps.  He lined up an apartment we rented for the week from a Canadian couple.  All the inclusives are nice, Punta Cana is great.  There is some pretty good diving around but they don't take care of the reef very well so it's pounded compared to other places.

Great rum, great food, nice people.  When I was there they had armed police around town, no safety issues as they penalize the locals huge if they mess with anyone on vacation.

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2021, 12:30:23 PM »
I wouldn’t leave American soil during these times
Hawaii is always nice, and less travel time than the Caribbean
Never been to Hawaii, I just can't stomach the cost.
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2021, 12:31:50 PM »
DR is great, I went down there when my brother was in the Peace Corps.  He lined up an apartment we rented for the week from a Canadian couple.  All the inclusives are nice, Punta Cana is great.  There is some pretty good diving around but they don't take care of the reef very well so it's pounded compared to other places.

Great rum, great food, nice people.  When I was there they had armed police around town, no safety issues as they penalize the locals huge if they mess with anyone on vacation.
Well shoot, you make it sound so good I'm almost ready to book!!!   Just need to know what time of year is best.  Some areas have jelly fish season, rainy seasons, storm season.  It looks like feb-april might be the best??
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 12521
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2021, 12:45:41 PM »
I'll ask my bro and get back to you here.  I don't remember what time of year we went, but he lived there for 2 years.

Offline jeffro

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 826
  • Location: Camano Island
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2021, 12:46:47 PM »
I wouldn’t leave American soil during these times
Hawaii is always nice, and less travel time than the Caribbean
Never been to Hawaii, I just can't stomach the cost.
Look into rental condos
I usually stay at Valley isle in Kahana on Maui
$100 per night
And you can cook for yourself to save $
One shot. One kill!

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 12521
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2021, 12:50:36 PM »
The thing to remember is that it is a third world country, very different from Hawaii.  Not bad at all, just very different.  If you have been to Mexico, not to dissimilar in many ways.

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 12521
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2021, 01:28:42 PM »
Bro said to maybe avoid winter although it doesn't rain on the beach much, more on the interior (higher in the mountains).  You might also want to check on COVID there if that's something you are concerned about.  They don't have the best medical system for locals.

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2021, 01:38:56 PM »
Thanks, non vax here, so I’ll have to see what they require.  Been to Mexico a bunch, looking for something new.  We are taking the mother in law (she needs her own room 😁).  $100 a day is pretty good, but to be honest, we hate cooking and doing dishes when on big vacations. All inclusive is a must.
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline 7mmfan

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+7)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 5374
  • Location: Marysville
    • https://www.facebook.com/rory.oconnor.9480
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2021, 01:40:34 PM »
Several years ago now, 2016 I believe, my wife and I stayed at Excellence Resort near Punta Cana. Adults only, all inclusive. It was great. We would go back in a second. The water was somewhat rough most of the time, not great snorkeling opportunities right there, but a short walk down the beach had a reef that offered better options.
so on the Atlantic side but it still had good water, what time of year did you go? Was the food any good? I know it’s been a while but have to ask.

We were there in May. The weather was very nice, showery just a couple times during the week that we were there. By good water what do you mean exactly? It was clear and warm, but their particular beach at that time was fairly shallow and had a strong rip current out where it was deep enough to swim. Their lifeguards were pretty strict on keeping people from getting out too far.

The food was fine, some of the restaurants onsite were better than others. My wife just mentioned the other day that they have since done a resort wide remodel and the reviews on food seem to be better now. Who knows for sure though. Big pools, nice beach with lots of shade trees.
I hunt, therefore I am.... I fish, therefore I lie.

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2021, 01:44:11 PM »
Thanks, yeah just curious how clear the water was. Snorkeling is my fav when on vacation. Did the diving but not interested.
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 12521
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2021, 01:49:11 PM »
On one of our dives I could clearly see the anchor on the bottom in 80'.  Worst conditions all week were probably 30-40' of vis.

Snorkeling is ok, you'll see some small fish and stuff but the beaches are pretty hammered.  If you get a charter they can get you away from the beach and then it's much better.  We had some amazing dives.

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #15 on: September 15, 2021, 03:26:11 PM »
🤔
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline deadyote

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 290
  • Location: Puyallup, WA
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #16 on: September 25, 2021, 11:14:38 AM »
We went a couple years ago and stayed at the secrets Punta cana.  All inclusive, adults only, and my wife and a I loved it.  Great setup, beach is amazing in that the sand is like flower and never gets hot like Hawaii.  There is a sister resort next door that you can go to, but they can't come to yours. 
Went deep sea fishing and the best zipline I've ever been on.  One was over a mile long and really fast. 
Nobody on YOUR beach trying to sell anything and tons of fun events at the resort. 

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #17 on: January 19, 2022, 06:26:17 AM »
Just want to bump this back up, getting close to buying tickets and making a final decision, the wife is all over me to get booked.  Looks like a couple places on the radar and time to go is in May? Also sounds like diving might be better than snorkeling, where was that zip line?  Thanks for the info all, appreciate it.
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline deadyote

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 290
  • Location: Puyallup, WA
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2022, 03:45:39 PM »

Offline Emptyhanded

  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 670
  • Location: Valleyford
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2022, 04:39:06 PM »
The wife just booked a trip to Punta Cana for the end of next month. Booked through Costco for a good price. “Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort”. We did a similar trip to Jamaica for our honey moon and it was great, so hopefully this will be also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 12521
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #20 on: January 19, 2022, 04:51:40 PM »
Should be great.  I stayed at a Melia in Mexico, great place.

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #21 on: January 19, 2022, 05:45:40 PM »
Anyone been to or heard about the Live Aqua beach resort?  Including air fare 1,300 a night.
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline Emptyhanded

  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 670
  • Location: Valleyford
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #22 on: January 19, 2022, 05:57:59 PM »
Should be great.  I stayed at a Melia in Mexico, great place.
Good to hear! We are excited to go. I just need to look up some fishing charters. Any opinion on in-shore vs. off shore? Did an in shore trip (fishing for jacks, snapper, mackerel) in the keys and had a blast. Plenty of action, but haven’t been off shore trolling before. Sorry for the derail!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline trophyhunt

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 18678
  • Location: Wetside
  • Groups: Wa Wild Sheep Life Member
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #23 on: January 19, 2022, 06:04:10 PM »
No de-rail at all, more info for me!!  :chuckle:
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline Emptyhanded

  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 670
  • Location: Valleyford
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #24 on: February 04, 2022, 01:29:48 PM »
Bumping this to the top. I booked an off shore trip for mahi, wahoo, sailfish and some others while we are there in March. Should be fun!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline pianoman9701

  • Mushroom Man
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 42831
  • Location: Vancouver USA
  • WWC, NRA Life, WFW, NAGR, RMEF, WSB, NMLS #2014743
    • www.facebook.com/johnwallacemortgage
    • Apply for a loan
Re: Where to stay in Dominican Republic?
« Reply #25 on: February 04, 2022, 01:46:53 PM »
Anyone been to or heard about the Live Aqua beach resort?  Including air fare 1,300 a night.

Looks like a nice resort.  :tup:
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Springer Fishing Opportunity 3/29 & 3/30 by Blacklab
[Today at 12:48:56 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by dilleytech
[Today at 12:39:19 PM]


Let’s see your best Washington buck by abhold87
[Today at 12:03:27 PM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by bearpaw
[Today at 11:45:41 AM]


Walked a cougar down by Rainier10
[Today at 11:17:49 AM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by hughjorgan
[Today at 09:03:26 AM]


Springer 2024 Columbia River by WSU
[Today at 08:31:10 AM]


Average by lhrbull
[Today at 07:31:56 AM]


CVA optima V2 LR tapped hole for front sight by Remdawg
[Today at 07:09:22 AM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal