Caribbean

[dlkksk8fan]

In a couple of months I will be going to the Caribbean (Dominican Republic). I have never been there and am wondering if anyone of you out there has. If so let me know how you liked it or not.

 

[Tonichelle]

I was on a Cruise in the Bahamas March of 01... we got caught in a tropical depression of sorts. The beaches were nice but you had to stay FAR AWAY from the water the waves were horrid. My dad and another one of the kids on the trip actually rescued a woman who got swept out into the deeper water. She had no top half of her bikini because of the rough waters.

I guess March/April this is pretty much the norm for weather... but OMG it was still so wonderfully warm. I loved it.

Enjoy your trip, I'm envious.

 

[dlkksk8fan]

The beaches were nice but you had to stay FAR AWAY from the water the waves were horrid.

Don't tell my husband that. He is planning on surfing every day.

We are going to be staying at Club Med Punta Cana. I've read the reviews and it seems a lot of families go there(so lots of kids). I would rather go to Hawaii, but the trip is a bonus from my husband's work, so got to go where they say.

 

[laceup]

I went a few years back. We stayed at a private resort. The water was beautiful ... the snorkeling great!!! We did go to town once and there were a lot of children begging (and bugging!!!) in the streets. The locals expect you to barter for your purchases. We had a really long ride from the airport on a hot bus on narrow streets that take you thru horribly poverty stricken places ... little shacks with the animals running thru them. However, our resort was beautiful and well maintained, the food was great and so were the drinks . On the whole it was a wonderful trip! I hope you enjoy!!!

 

[skamper23]

My brother actually WON a trip there from his work. He said the resorts are beautiful, but step one foot into the towns and watch out....some shop keepers bother you so much shopping is just not worth it. They were calling people "cheapy, cheapy" lol...also please don't get hurt while your there...someone on my brother's trip fell and broke their ankle and it was a long ride(3 hours in a taxi, by way of dirt roads and poverty stricken villiages) to the hospital that my brother said looked very dank, dirty, and just plain scary...and they want your $$$$ up front! The taxi driver actually went to x-rays with them because he was afraid of not getting paid!!

 

[Tigger]

Don't forget to visit your doctor and talk about the various vaccines/boosters you and your husband should have before going. It never hurts to be on the safe side of things.

Have a wonderful trip and I hope you'll share some pictures w/us when you come home.

 

[Tonichelle]

a lot of the shop owners like to haggle. I had one lady get upset that I was just going to pay her original price

 

[dlkksk8fan]

Today I found out we are not going to have much time there. The trip is from Thursday to Sunday (Memorial Day weekend). We can't get a direct flight there from CA, so we have to fly out on Wed stay in Miami then fly out Thursday getting in at around 2pm. That leaves all day Fri and Sat then home on Sunday. Not much time spent there for all that flying time. I'm having second thoughts about wanting to go. My husband says stop complaining because it's free. I say I'm going to be too exhausted to enjoy myself

 

[winter]

Just take the time at the resort and relax on the beach and enjoy yourself. I've been to Punta Cana 3 times. The beach is amazing, and the resorts are beautiful.
Remember the Dominican Republic is nothing like the US though. It's a very laid back place and no one is in a hurry. Practice your spanish.

 

[dlkksk8fan]

Practice your spanish.

And French?