Dominican Republic

[MrsMcGovern]

Thinking of going to the Dominican Republic with my other half in September. Looking at the Prestige 5 Star Iberostar Costa Dorada and looking to fly with ThomsonFlyLongHaul. Been quoted £1476.00 so far including all the silly extras of flight meals, fuel charges etc ... can anyone find any better?

Anybody on here ever been or has any information or experiences theyd like to share with me? :)

The main thing im worried of is, is it true that the chances of getting Food Poisoning there are quite high .. is this true? (any from experience?)

Also i hear its not very safe to leave the resorts / hotels ... ? I know the chances of us having to leave are quite low as everything we need is there but there are the odd one opr two places we'd like to visit and swim with the Dolphins etc. id rather have peoples none-biased opinions than just the positives from Travel Agents who are trying to push sell you a holiday.

Any information welcome =o) xxxxx

[Kelly_Owls]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147290-d150815-Reviews-Iberostar_Costa_Dorada-Puerto_Plata_Dominican_Republic.html

That hotel has some brilliant reviews, looks like an excellent choice.

[MrsMcGovern]

Thanks Kelly, il have a read and get even more excited :)

(The only thing thats bothering me is, im going to be travelling all that way and il be surrounded by screaming kids. Now dont get me wrong i love kids and i love my niece and nephew to bits but to pay that much to have to put up with that would drive me crazy!! A couple would be ok, but a resort full, no thanks!)

[Kelly_Owls]

I think the Dom.Rep is quite a family orientated island isn't it...one of the most in the Carribean I hear.

No idea in terms of how safe it is to go out of the resort, but we ventured to an island closeby and got talking to a couple of couples (woooo) who regularly visit the Carribean, they gave us mixed reports. One said they felt intimidated and wary at night, but to be fair I think you do in most places you're not familiar with, and the other said it was fine, and not as bad as they found Jamaica...

I'd definitely read up on the place beforehand, check out how much things are to buy too in terms of food, drink and general items, that was the mistake we made when we travelled to the Eastern Carribean.

[Zakboy_Afg]

Dominican republic of Congo?

[Martinho]

Dominican republic of Congo?

Dominican Republic - Caribbean
Democratic Republic of Congo - Africa

;)

[Mascherano20]

Dominican republic of Congo?

You're not serious, surely?

[Zakboy_Afg]

You're not serious, surely?

Just checking. There are two after all. And DRC, is not somewhere a holiday would be suitable (more or less life risking).

And I didn't read cause I couldn't be bothered. Just wanting to know which one.

[Bantam Jay]

A couple of my mates have been and they loved it. They said the people were great and swimming with the dolphins was amazing.

[BCFC_Chris]

I went there in October and it was quality. We went to Bavaro in the south east. We had no food problems and neither did the hotel as i remember.

[BCFC_Chris]

Thinking of going to the Dominican Republic with my other half in September. Looking at the Prestige 5 Star Iberostar Costa Dorada and looking to fly with ThomsonFlyLongHaul. Been quoted £1476.00 so far including all the silly extras of flight meals, fuel charges etc ... can anyone find any better?

Anybody on here ever been or has any information or experiences theyd like to share with me? :)

The main thing im worried of is, is it true that the chances of getting Food Poisoning there are quite high .. is this true? (any from experience?)

Also i hear its not very safe to leave the resorts / hotels ... ? I know the chances of us having to leave are quite low as everything we need is there but there are the odd one opr two places we'd like to visit and swim with the Dolphins etc. id rather have peoples none-biased opinions than just the positives from Travel Agents who are trying to push sell you a holiday.

Any information welcome =o) xxxxx

I did Work Exp in First Choice Travel agents and was really suprisd at how unpushy they were. On person i was shadowwing told the customer this holiday worth about 8k was not worth it and sold them a package holiday worth about 2.

We didnt leave the hotel as we didnt need to but i have to say it loked a bit dodgy out of the complex, mainly mad-men on bikes with kids on each arm. Where i wen the roads were crap but motorways were half finished and as long as you got an hotel organised trip you'd be fine. :thumb

[UnitedRoad]

Dominican republic is fookin class, our family loved it :thumb:

[great white]

I smell spam.....Please don't make me nibble at your toenails mademoiselle...

I've been paying attention in class....

Im sick of hearing about Disneyland Paris! I sell hundreds of those damn holidays every week! lol Mind me asking who you booked it through?

Which hotel you staying in Bracknell? I could say loads about Disney, if you can be abit more specific i can try and help you out a little =o) xxx

[MrsMcGovern]

Sorry im lost Great White ... ?

[great white]

Sorry im lost GreatWhite ... ?Ask a ****in' travel agent where you are then!!!!.....

[MrsMcGovern]

What? I dont get it, what have i done wrong?

I've asked for peoples personal views on the Dominican Republic, whats so wrong in that?

[Cescy Football]

Ignore him.

[great white]

Nothing my dear I suggest maybe a little convo with the fellow owl lasses as to my usual forum decorum....and read deeply into my posts.....

[Avfcman22]

Watch you dont go in tornado season

[great white]

Ignore him.Thing is they don't and I bite......****in' luv it!!!!!.....:gotcha

[Cescy Football]

Watch you dont go in tornado season

You mean Hurricane season...:whistle

[Cescy Football]

Thing is they don't and I bite......****in' luv it!!!!!.....:gotcha

What's with the Cypriot talk??

[Martinho]

He has a frog keyboard. :)

[MrsMcGovern]

Okaaaay. Why do i feel intimidated by GreatWhite lol

I only came on for some friendly advice about a holiday *cries* lol

Ooooh, whens Hurricane season?! Let me guess ... September? :D

[great white]

He has a frog keyboard. :)*:Banana: An' the ****in' swear filter ain't sussed that one yet......

[Avfcman22]

You mean Hurricane season...:whistle

I stand corrected

I survived a tornado :Banana:

[great white]

Okaaaay. Why do i feel intimidated by GreatWhite lolPlease don't feel intimidated.....ask either Kelly or Rach you are just in the deep zone now....For info my personal advice is to avoid the Dominican republic like the plague as a holiday destination.........

[MrsMcGovern]

Using the phrase 'deep zone' with a name like 'Great White' really isnt helping lol

Mind me asking why you dislike it?

[trentendred]

Thinking of going to the Dominican Republic with my other half in September. Looking at the Prestige 5 Star Iberostar Costa Dorada and looking to fly with ThomsonFlyLongHaul. Been quoted £1476.00 so far including all the silly extras of flight meals, fuel charges etc ... can anyone find any better?

Anybody on here ever been or has any information or experiences theyd like to share with me? :)

The main thing im worried of is, is it true that the chances of getting Food Poisoning there are quite high .. is this true? (any from experience?)

Also i hear its not very safe to leave the resorts / hotels ... ? I know the chances of us having to leave are quite low as everything we need is there but there are the odd one opr two places we'd like to visit and swim with the Dolphins etc. id rather have peoples none-biased opinions than just the positives from Travel Agents who are trying to push sell you a holiday.

Any information welcome =o) xxxxx

Ive been to the Iberostar in Costa Dorada... if you any questions just PM me :)

[great white]

Using the phrase 'deep zone' with a name like 'Great White' really isnt helping lol

Mind me asking why you dislike it?Too many hammerheads and white fins in the waters do my ****in' head in like being surrounded by a bunch of chavs whilst waiting for the last bus munching on a kebab and sparking up a ciggie.....and they wanna' bit

[Martinho]

I reckon someone's had one too many Kronies. :hmmm

[great white]

I reckon someone's had one too many Kronies. :hmmmAnd you haven't in the past or maybe an alternative brew?...

[Kelly_Owls]

What? I dont get it, what have i done wrong?

I've asked for peoples personal views on the Dominican Republic, whats so wrong in that?
Just ignore him.

He has his moments.

:)

[Cescy Football]

Ooooh, whens Hurricane season?! Let me guess ... September? :D

June 1 to November 30th :no:

[Cescy Football]

I survived a tornado :Banana:

I'm guessing you were somewhere in the areas of Oklahama? Texas? Iowa?

[Trick]

Dominican republic of Congo?

Just checking. There are two after all. And DRC, is not somewhere a holiday would be suitable (more or less life risking).

And I didn't read cause I couldn't be bothered. Just wanting to know which one.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Fantastic!

[LinekerLegend]

I have been to the dominican republic, It was a long time ago and i was only about 15-16 at the time, Is dorada north or south of the island? because thats where most people stay when they go either north or sout of the island.

My family have been quite a few times, Me mum and dad have been 4 times and brother has been twice and we have friends who have just got back who we recommend it to and they loved too, I have only been to north of the island but just cannot remember the name of the place but playa dorada does sound familiar, I know one of us have been there.

Anyways i loved the place, Food was great and cant honestly say ive heard anything about the food poisening :confused i went on an all inclusive and where i was staying (the victoria resort) they had about 4-5 different resturants inside the hotel, From memory they didn't really have many places to go eat out at night so its a good idea to go all inclusive.

You need to do plenty of trips whilst there, We done about 15 different trips which can be organised through the hotel whilst there, Flew to the turks and caicos island (where they done the bounty adverts) thats a lovely little island with the clearest of waters swim with dolphins like you say and just generally drinks loads of rum and go on boats and sh1t like that lol,

We also done horse riding which i was quite surprised to like, That was great fun they aint like these things you get over here they're more like wild horses and dont fluck about, But great fun for a day trotting about viewing the island.

I done a quad biking trip for a day, About 30 people on 500cc quads driving through shallow rivers and up and down hills on roads :eeek (only 15-16)etc and yet again just generally viewing different parts of the island.

White water rafting has to be done do that whilst there that was great fun too, Quite dangerous but still its all fun and has to be done (get holiday insurance)

They have loads of trips to do but they are just a few i have been on myself.


I loved the sea there and never seen anything like it(just see through with loads of tropical fish swimming around your feet) , The weather as you can imagine is very hot with a lovely breeze, And the people are so friendly they are amazing people and very trust worthy people too, That annoys me that you have been told different because that just isnt true.

My parents have been to other caribbean islands Barbados, Jamaica and of course dominican and they regard dominican as the best overall holiday out of the 3, The other two they didn't find the people as friendly especially in jamaica.

I have been to about 10 different countries and im not just saying it dominican has to be the best one i have ever visited and would give it a 9/10.

My family all preffered the northern part of the island the most and it is the better place to go out of the two.

Make sure you do not go in hurricane season though like my brother did, He missed hurricaine goerge by one day whilst he was with his mate and they was just boarding up the windows as he was leaving :laugh: And it was the biggest hit hurricaine they have had :(

Anyway i could ramble on more but cant be bothered so any more info you might want feel free to PM or ask back in here :thumb

[LinekerLegend]

Here you go they have a video on this site, That was the excact place where i was staying the victoria resort..

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147290-d151024-Reviews-Victoria_Golf_Beach_Resort-Puerto_Plata_Dominican_Republic.html

[Fent]

Don't you fly over the Bermuda Triangle?

I know someone that went and couldn't speak Spanish

[swfc_babe85]

Using the phrase 'deep zone' with a name like 'Great White' really isnt helping lol

Mind me asking why you dislike it?

GW is harmless babe, just ignore him, like me and Kelly do!

[Zakboy_Afg]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Fantastic!

:laugh: Well it is kind of funny. But I guess it doesn't make much sense if you don't include some of the original post.

[Avfcman22]

I'm guessing you were somewhere in the areas of Oklahama? Texas? Iowa?

No Birmingham, England actually

[Cescy Football]

No Birmingham, England actually

:laugh: Would you look at that...

[Martinho]

:laugh: Would you look at that...

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/12/Birmingham05PA_450x300.jpg

[MrsMcGovern]

Right ive booked it so now i have to go ...

*Cue all the negative points*

:D x

[swfc_babe85]

Lucky you.

We haven't even looked at a holiday brochure yet :(

[Fent]

Right ive booked it so now i have to go ...

*Cue all the negative points*

:D x

it's probably a lot better than going to Wigan

[MrsMcGovern]

lol, we have a pile of brochures in our room! lol

Glad i read this post, got to remember to take two of them with me to Sarahs tonight, we've having agirly tea and wine to plan our girly invasion of some unfortunite country :D

[MrsMcGovern]

Anyone got any suggestions for a girly holiday for 4 girls ... dont want an 18-30's holiday, had enough of that June last year. Something lively but not completely full of knob heads and slappers (ie: Ibiza - San Antonio) ... any sensible suggestions would be greatly appreciated =o) xx

(Budget per person <£250 if possible, preferably Self Catering)

Cheers me Dears xxx

[BCFC_Chris]

Falaraki???

:laugh:

[MrsMcGovern]

Had a dream last night that on my way to the Dominican, the planes engines failed and we had to make an emergency landing on a motorway in Manchester ... we never got to the Dominican =o(

[Martinho]

You might find this useful. :)

http://wikitravel.org/en/Dominican_Republic

[wbafc4eva]

We went to the Dominican Republic last year and it was fantastic.We stopped at the fun tropicale in puerta plata.

The weather was brilliant.The locals were fine.3 things you have to do while you are there is:
1. visit the ocean world adventure park
2. do the outback safari (all beer included)
3. do the quad bike excursion

The only downside to puerta plata is the sandfleas on the beach.Make sure you have plenty of cream because once they start biting you they never stop.

You will have a great time im sure

Boing boing

[dan_tbm]

Guy from my work went to Dominican Rep on his honeymoon earlier this year.
His wife spent 4 days in hospital with food poisioning, and they had to delay their flights back as she wasn't allowed to fly. There were people throwing up all over the hotel and the toilets all blocked. The manager of the hotel ended up walking everywhere flanked by 4 paramilitary types as there were so many pissed of folk about.
He did get in the Mirror and MEN though...

[LinekerLegend]

The south of the island is full of yanks too..

[MrsMcGovern]

We went to the Dominican Republic last year and it was fantastic.We stopped at the fun tropicale in puerta plata.

The weather was brilliant.The locals were fine.3 things you have to do while you are there is:
1. visit the ocean world adventure park
2. do the outback safari (all beer included)
3. do the quad bike excursion

The only downside to puerta plata is the sandfleas on the beach.Make sure you have plenty of cream because once they start biting you they never stop.

You will have a great time im sure

Boing boing

Im glad you mentioned those excursions , dont suppose you know roughly how much it was for an adult to swim with dolphins do you? Same with costs for other excursions really, thanks :) x

As for the last poster who mentioned Food Poisoning, ive heard the Dominican is more or less the place to get food poisoning / upset stomachs ... thats my main worry =o( x